Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's SHAKESPEARE'S WILL Opens 1/21

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company today announced an exciting addition to CSC's performance line up with the regional premier of Vern Thiessen's "Shakespeare's Will". For a limited run of only ten performances, this captivating one-woman show features CSC Ensemble member Sherman Fracher and is directed by Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips. "Shakespeare's Will" will run concurrently with CSC's production of "Henry VIII: All is True" through February 5, 2012.

"Shakespeare's Will" offers audiences a chance to see a different side of William Shakespeare- that of a husband and father. The night before William Shakespeare's funeral, his widow, Anne Hathaway (Sherman Fracher), recalls her life with the inscrutable poet- both the good times and the bad. She tells the gripping story of a wife and mother who made many sacrifices in order to love Shakespeare and to give him a family and home. Her husband's will should be a final testament to their time together; but as she reads it, Shakespeare's will only presents more mystery, judgement and heartache.

"Shakespeare's Will" was written by playwright Vern Thiessen. He is one of Canada's most-produced playwrights. His plays have been seen across Canada, the United States, Asia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Europe. Thiessen is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding New Play and the Carol Bolt Award. In 2003, he won the Governor General's Literary Award, Canada's highest honor for playwriting. He is currently an Associate Artist with Epic Theatre Ensemble in New York City, where he writes, teaches and acts. "Shakespeare's Will" was commissioned by the River City Shakespeare Festival (Edmonton) and premiered at the Citadel Theatre in February 2005. Since then it has enjoyed many national and international productions included at the Stratford Festival of Canada. The Globe and Mail says the script is "…perceptive and beautiful written…" and the Edmonton Sun says it is "strongly poetic…meticulously crafted, exquisitely nuanced…".

Ninth year CSC resident ensemble member, Sherman Fracher returns to take on this captivating one-woman show. She was seen last season at CSC in multiple roles, including as Mrs. Bennett in "Pride and Prejudice" and Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing". Some of her past favorites at CSC include "The Seagull", "Othello", "The Winter's Tale", "A Streetcar Named Desire", "Chagrin Falls", "The Beard of Avon", "Arcadia" and "Twelfth Night". She has also been seen at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati in such shows as "String of Pearls", "Moonlight and Magnolias" and "Sight Unseen". She is an advocate for MS research, raising funds with performances of "Above the 37th Parallel". Other theatres for which she has worked include Actor's Express, Actor's Theatre of Louisville, Georgia Shakespeare, The Human Race Theatre Company, and American Stage. Sherman is a registered yoga teacher, and the proud wife of director Drew Fracher.

This production is directed by Brian Isaac Phillips, CSC's Producing Artistic Director, who directed the world premiere of the one woman show adaptation of Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" this past spring. Mr. Phillips also directed the concurrent production of Shakespeare's "Henry VIII: All is True" as well as this season's productions of "Bedroom Farce", "A Man for All Seasons" and "Macbeth". He also helmed last season's productions of "Blithe Spirit", "Dracula", "The Life and Death of King John" and "The Two Gentlemen of Verona".

A limited run of 10 performances of "Shakespeare's Will"are scheduled from January 21- February 5, 2012 on Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm and Saturdays at 2pm. The theater is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center. Single ticket prices range from $22-$28. Ticketing fees may apply. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups as well as Enjoy the Arts and AAA members. "Shakespeare's Will" is not a part of CSC's 2011-2012 subscription package, but subscribers will receive 15% off all tickets. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.

Photo Credit: Rich Sofranko

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