Cincy Shakes Presents The Comedies TWELFTH NIGHT and EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is pleased to announce more details on their upcoming productions this November and December. Opening next on the mainstage will be William Shakespeare's wonderful comedy "Twelfth Night" directed by Austin Tichenor playing November 16- December 8, 2018. Following closely after that will be the 13th Annual production of the beloved holiday classic "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)" December 14- 30, 2018 directed again by Jeremy Dubin. Sponsors for "Twelfth Night" include Barnes Denig, Stock Yards Bank & Trust, and Judge (Ret.) Mark Painter. "Every Christmas Story Ever Told" is sponsored by Messer, Raymond James, and Thompson Hine.

"Twelfth Night" is one of the Bard's most lively, lovely, and lyrical comedies and this production features a fresh and creative new take! The play combines a shipwreck, a cross-dressed Lady, a lovelorn Lord, a fickle Countess, a drunken uncle, a flamboyant fop, an uptight servant, a mischievous clown, a protective pirate and an identical twin- all forming a delightfully and deliciously twisted knot that only Shakespeare can untie. "Westworld" meets Shakespeare in this wild wild West comedy set in 1850's San Francisco for a creative and comical take on "Twelfth Night".

The director of "Twelfth Night" will be Austin Tichenor, co-managing partner of the Reduced Shakespeare Company. "CSC has been a long-time fan and producer of Austin's works such as 'The Complete History of America (abridged)' and 'All the Great Books (abridged)'. We connected with him during our work with the Shakespeare Theatre Association and we are thrilled he has decided to join us next season and bring his comedic eye to our holiday time Shakespeare, 'Twelfth Night'"! Austin recently performed at Cincinnati Playhouse in "The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)" as a co-writer, co-director, and actor.

Mr. Tichenor said "Since this is the first production of "Twelfth Night" in CSC's beautiful new building, I wanted a design inspired by the bare wood of the new theatre, which suggested to us the wood of both an old saloon and a wharf. That led us to San Francisco Bay at the height of the gold rush, a perfect place to explore Shakespeare's themes of loss and separation. It also gives us a wonderful musical context - Cary Davenport has created some beautiful and fun songs, setting Shakespeare's lyrics to original music inspired by the period."

Following "Twelfth Night" for the 13th straight year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is thrilled to offer a full season of holiday cheer in just a little more than 90 minutes with Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald, and John K. Alvarez. This hilarious production is a non-stop holiday romp through everyone's favorite Christmas stories performed by just four actors. Justin McCombs and Billy Chace, who are respectively 13th year and 12th year company members, return to poke fun at the holiday season, with returning special guest Miranda McGee, 9th year company member. CSC welcomes back for the 2nd season in this production, Resident Company Member Maggie Lou Rader!

CSC Director of Creative Education, Jeremy Dubin, returns to the director's chair. This production is one of the most popular events in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company history breaking attendance and sales records every year. Director Jeremy Dubin remarks, "This cast has so much fun together that the show has become a very personal holiday tradition for all of us. It's occasionally a little irreverent but always warm-spirited, and it's the perfect panacea to all your winter woes."

Please note that "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)" is most appreciated by adults and older teens, and is not recommended for any theatergoers still young enough to believe in Santa.

All performances of "Twelfth Night" and "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)" are held at The Otto M. Budig Theater on 1195 Elm St in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park. Tickets start at $28. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273), or visit us online at www.cincyshakes.com.

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