LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST Begins 6/17 at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Outdoor Stage

Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Outdoor Stage production of Love's Labour's Lost. The enormously popular summer venue, located on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, will host the show beginning on June 17th and continuing through July 26th.

Outdoor Stage performances are Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:00 pm, with a special twilight performance on Sundays at 4:30 pm. Tickets are $15 for students and $35 for adults. Children under age 5 go for free. For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group discounts.

Nestled into the hillside on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth, this replica of the Theatre of Dionysius in Athens has been a popular performance space since its creation in 1932. Constructed from stones gathered from the College of Saint Elizabeth campus, college employees undertook the building of the theatre, supervised by Sister Marie Victoire Corr. The ancient Greek-style theatre boasts outdoor seating on stone and grass tiers. Surrounded by a large lawn, the amiptheatre is ideal for picnicking before the show. Audience members may bring their own food and beverages, or purchase snacks and soft drinks on-site. Patrons are encouraged to bring either a low-backed beach chair or picnic blanket to sit on. Higher-backed beach chairs are allowed in the top rows of the theatre. Seating at The Outdoor Stage is general admission.

Written in 1594, Love's Labour's Lost has the distinction of being one of Shakespeare's only works that does not draw its plot from history, literature, or mythology. This completely original tale tells the story of four young noblemen, who vow to spend the next three years studying and swearing off the company of women. Almost immediately, four witty French beauties arrive at their door, testing the limits of the noblemen's vows. In true Shakespearean fashion, love letters between the noblemen and the ladies of France fall into the wrong hands, resulting in the brilliant wordplay that Love's Labour's Lost is known for.

Recent performances of Love's Labour's Lost include a 2014 production by the Royal Shakespeare Company, lauded by the Daily Telegraph as "blissfully entertaining," as well as a 2013 musical adaptation- penned by the collaborators behind Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson- by The Public Theatre, performed at Shakespeare in the Park. Additionally, this intellectual comedy was adapted for film by Kenneth Branagh in 2000, and for the BBC Television Shakespeare project in 1985. A 2007 episode of Doctor Who featured Love's Labour's Lost in an episode titled "The Shakespeare Code."

The Outdoor Stage is generously supported by Bank of America. A partner of The Outdoor Stage since 2004, their committed and generous support has helped make The Shakespeare Theatre's Outdoor Stage a hallmark of the summer season in the region. "We are immensely grateful to Bank of America for their steadfast backing," said the Theatre's Director of Development Heidi Speckhart.

"The Outdoor Stage is one of the most unique and anticipated summer theatrical events in the region," said Bob Doherty, New Jersey president, Bank of America. "Every year, thousands of patrons enjoy extraordinary, world-class productions under the stars. Supporting arts and cultural programs like the Outdoor Stage helps engage audiences and strengthen our communities."

The Cast:

Jonathan Raviv joins The Shakespeare Theatre for his first season as King Ferdinand of Navarre. Recent regional credits include work at the Cherry Lane Theatre, The National Yiddish Theatre, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Portland Center Stage, Berkeley Rep, and Arena Stage. He has also performed in concert at Lincoln Center.

In her first season at The Shakespeare Theatre, Jesmille Darbouze plays the Princess of France. Most recently, Darbouze played Serena in the new Marvel Netflix series A.K.A. Jessica Jones. Regional credits include productions of Aida, Smokey Joe's Café, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Urinetown: The Musical, among many others. She is a founding member of the New York theatre company Exit, Pursued by a Bear.

Ben Jacoby plays Berowne, the linguistically talented protagonist in his Shakespeare Theatre debut. Most recently, Jacoby performed in the National Tour of the 25th anniversary production of The Phantom of the Opera as Raoul. Regional credits include work at Milwaukee Rep, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Marriott Theatre, and Maine State Music Theatre.

Returning for her sixth season with The Shakespeare Theatre is Susan Maris, playing the witty and beautiful Rosaline. Company credits include Much Ado About Nothing, A Christmas Carol, Othello, and The Grapes of Wrath on the Main Stage, The Learned Ladies and The Servant of Two Masters on the Outdoor Stage, and A Midsummer Night's Dream and Nevermore with Shakespeare LIVE!. Recent regional credits include work with Manhattan Theatre Source, Toy Box Theatre Company, Theatreworks Colorado, and The Prospect Theatre Company. Her film credits include She Gave Me Water, Limitless, Discovery ID and College Humor.

Aaron McDaniel plays Longaville in his first season at The Shakespeare Theatre. He is a member of both Strangemen & Co. and New Place Players, where he has performed Shakespeare works including A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night. Other credits include Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew. McDaniel also served as fight choreographer for a number of productions, including Newsies! The Musical and Aladdin.

In his Shakespeare Theatre debut, Austin Ku takes the stage as Dumain. Ku performed in the Broadway tour of Chinglish, as well as the Midwest tour of Miss Saigon. Off-Broadway, he has appeared in Tokio Confidential at the Atlantic Theatre and in Hello, Dolly! at the Signature Theatre. Regional theatre credits include Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. Most recently, Ku appeared on the TV sitcom Younger and he will make his feature film debut this summer in Sleeping with Other People.

As Boyet, Clark Scott Carmichael returns for his thirteenth season with the Theatre. Company credits include Henry VIII, Pericles, The Liar, A Christmas Carol, All's Well That Ends Well, Henry VI, That Scoundrel Scapin, and Carnival!, among others, as well as The Learned Ladies on the Outdoor Stage. He appeared on Broadway as Jumper in Tom Stoppard's Jumpers, directed by David Leveaux and starring Simon Russell Beale. His film and television credits include the hit series House of Cards, Boardwalk Empire, Campbell Scott's Hamlet and the forthcoming films Sweet Lorraine starring Tatum O'Neal and Hard Sell starring Kristin Chenoweth.

Jeffrey M. Bender, in his sixteenth season with The Shakespeare Theatre, will portray Armado. Select company credits include Much Ado About Nothing, The Alchemist, The Tempest, Fallen Angels, Oliver Twist, and Henry IV, Part One, among many others. Bender recently appeared on Broadway in A Time to Kill at the Golden Theater and in Cymbeline at Lincoln Center. He has also worked at Denver Center Theatre, Arena Stage, the Old Globe, and Seattle Repertory Theatre.

Playing the clown Costard is Connor Carew, returning for his sixth season at the Theatre. Previous company credits include The Devil's Disciple and Trelawny of the Wells on the Main Stage; A Midsummer Night's Dream on the Outdoor Stage; and A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet in two tours with Shakespeare LIVE!. Regionally, Carew has worked at Two River Theatre and the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

As Holofernes, Bruce Cromer returns to the Theatre for his seventh season. Previous company credits include The Alchemist, As You Like It, Timon of Athens, The School for Wives, The Taming of the Shrew, and Life of Galileo. Cromer is a Resident Actor at the Human Race Theatre, a professor and head of Acting for Wright State University's Professional Actor Training Program, and a certified Stage Combat teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors.

James Costello, Rebecca Gomberg, Joseph Hamel, Kristen Kittel, Felix Mayes, and Carrie Walsh round out the cast.

The Director:

Brian B. Crowe is in his twentieth season with The Shakespeare Theatre where he is currently a resident director and the Director of Education. At the Theatre, he has directed The Learned Ladies on the Outdoor Stage, Pericles, Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, Timon of Athens, The School for Wives, The Winter's Tale, Henry VI: Blood & Roses, Julius Caesar, Love's Labour's Lost, The Tempest (2002) and The Comedy of Errors (2001) on the Main Stage, A Midsummer Night's Dream (2007) and The Taming of the Shrew (2006) on the Outdoor Stage and the 1999 world premiere of his original script, Wonderland (...And What Was Found There) on the Other Stage. The Star-Ledger called Mr. Crowe "one of the state's most ingenious directors" for his work on Love's Labour's Lost and named him Best Director of a Drama (Julius Caesar and Wonderland) as well as one of three "theatre artists to look for in the new millennium." He has also directed over twenty Shakespeare LIVE! touring productions including Nevermore (his original piece based on the writings and mysterious death of Edgar Allan Poe), among others. Other directing credits include Red Herring and A Perfect Ganesh at 12 Miles West; Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest (DayTony recipient), Noises Off, the Midwest regional premiere of The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and Patient A with The Human Race Theatre Company.

The Artistic Staff:

The world of Love's Labour's Lost comes to life with the help of scenic designer Charlie Calvert, lighting designer Hamilton E.S. Smith, and costume designer Nikki Delhomme. Alison Cote is the production stage manager.

Pay-What-You-Can Performance:

The first preview performance of Love's Labour's Lost on Wednesday, June 17 at 8:00 p.m., offers opportunities for reduced-price tickets, as an incentive to first-time theatergoers. For those who would otherwise not be able to afford a night at the theatre, the first preview performance is Pay What You Can night - pay what you are able for that evening's 8:00 p.m. preview performance. Offer is subject to availability. Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 for details.

Tickets & General Information:

Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:00 p.m. with a special twilight performance on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students and $35 for adults. Children under five go free. Seating is general admission. For tickets or more information, call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Outdoor Stage, the amphitheatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, is conveniently located at 2 Convent Road, off Madison Avenue (Rt. 124) in Morris Township, just minutes from Routes 287, 78, and 10. Parking is free. The Theatre is barrier free. Wheelchair seating is available. Large Print programs are available.

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey's largest professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

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