Williamston Theatre Presents the Michigan Premiere of TAKING SHAKESPEARE

Mid-Michigan's award winning professional theatre company, Williamston Theatre, located at 122 S. Putnam Street in downtown Williamston, presents Taking Shakespeare by John Murrell, a gentle comedy about the power of storytelling. Performances for this Michigan Premiere begin Thursday, May 18 and run through Sunday, June 18. Tickets are now on sale.

Taking Shakespeare begins with five Preview performances starting Thursday, May 18. During the first four Previews audience members will have the opportunity to take part in the process of creating a show by participating in a talkback session with the director following each performance. The Official Opening Night is Friday, May 26 at eight o'clock with the show scheduled to run through Sunday, June 18. Performances will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at eight o'clock and Sunday matinees at two o'clock with additional three o'clock matinees on Saturdays starting May 27. The Conversation Sunday for Taking Shakespeare is Sunday, June 11.

When a longtime, disillusioned college professor is asked to tutor her dean's son through his freshman Shakespeare class, she finds it to be as much a test for her as it is for him. Although they seem to have nothing in common, as they explore the Bard's Othello together, they learn more about each other - and themselves - than either is ready to admit. While they draw strength from the play, they come to understand what it means to live up to expectations.

The cast of Taking Shakespeare consists of Terry Heck (Sirens) and Michael Lopetrone. The Director is Mary Job. The production team includes Scenic Design by Jeromy Hopgood (Outside Mullingar), Lighting Design by Heather Brown, Costume Design by Karen Kangas-Preston (Too Much, Too Much, Too Many, Sirens), Sound Design by Quintessa Gallinat (The Nerd, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune) and Props Design by Stefanie Din (Best Brothers). The Stage Manager is Paige Conway (1984, Rounding Third).

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can for the Preview on Thursday, May 18. Remaining Preview tickets are still $15.00! We have raised ticket prices by $2 for performances in our 2016-2017 Season. Starting Opening Night, Adult tickets prices are $30.00 for Friday and Saturday evenings, $27.00 for Saturday and Sunday matinees and $25.00 for Thursday evenings. Senior citizens (65 and older) and members of the Military receive a $2 discount on all tickets. Student tickets (with a valid student ID) remain $10 for all performances. Discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more (booked at least 1 week in advance through the Box Office). Tickets can be purchased Tuesday - Friday from 12-6pm by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469) or by visiting the Box Office and ordered on-line up until 1 1/2 hours prior to the performance by visiting our website www.williamstontheatre.org. Payment is required at the time the reservation is made.

This production is made possible in part by an award from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts with additional support from the Williamston Sunrise Rotary.

The Williamston Theatre is a not-for-profit, professional live theatre company, dedicated to producing plays that excite, engage and entertain our audiences. The theatre opened its doors in 2006, is the winner of a 2014 National Theatre Company Grant from The American Theatre Wing and has received a number of local awards including the 2008 Robert Busby Award for extraordinary overall contribution to theatre in the Greater Lansing Area.

Williamston Theatre patrons will find ample parking on the street and in several municipal lots throughout the city. The theatre is located in downtown Williamston (exit 117 off of I-96) just south of Grand River Avenue. Additional information about the company and the 2016-2017 Season is available online at www.williamstontheatre.org or by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469).

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