Photo Flash: First Look at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's FALLEN ANGELS

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's summer of comedy continues with Noël Coward's frothy delight Fallen Angels. Fallen Angels began performances on July 3 and continues through July 28th at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Noël Coward, Britain's popular master of wit, has created a delightful comedy about the seven-year itch featuring tour-de-force roles for two leading ladies. The sophisticated "bubbles" of this vintage Coward are popped throughout by sharp and wickedly-funny barbs about the perils of marital bliss. The original production of Fallen Angels opened at London's Globe Theatre in 1925 and starred Tallulah Bankhead.

Leading ladies Julie Jesneck and Melissa Miller play close friends Julia and Jane who are seeking adventure. Jesneck, making her Shakespeare Theatre debut in Fallen Angels, has appeared on Broadway in Rock 'N Roll and in productions at The Mint Theatre, The Minetta Lane, Roundabout Theatre, and Denver Center Theatre among others. She is a graduate of The Julliard School. Melissa Miller, a native of Westfield, NJ, appeared at The Shakespeare Theatre in Macbeth. She made her Broadway debut in Tartuffe and has appeared at The Pittsburgh Public Theatre in Born Yesterday, at Long Wharf Theatre, Theatre for a New Audience, Hartford Stage and the Alley Theater among others.

Allison Mackie returns to The Shakespeare Theatre after a 15-year hiatus to play Saunders, the enigmatic and musical maid. Mackie last appeared at The Shakespeare Theatre in A Midsummer Night's Dream. On Broadway, she played Roxane opposite Frank Langella in Cyrano de Bergerac and in Candida with JoAnne Woodward. She has appeared in productions at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Westport Country Playhouse and the Lucille Lortel in New York City. Her film credits includeLucky, Almost Perfect, Our Very Own with Allison Janney, Pretty Ugly People, and Rear Window among many others.

Playing the husbands to Julia and Jane are Jeffrey M. Bender as Frederick and Ned Noyes as Willy. In his 14th Season with The Shakespeare Theatre, Bender has appeared in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, Henry IV, Part One, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) among many others. He has appeared inReckless at The Denver Center Theatre, and A Time to Kill at Arena Stage, as well as productions at The Old Globe in San Diego, Seattle Rep and Lincoln Center. Noyes appeared in The Shakespeare Theatre's production of The Time of Your Life. He has appeared off-Broadway and at theatre across the nation including Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Court Theatre, and Geva Theatre.

Michael Sharon makes his Shakespeare Theatre debut in the role of the charming and sophisticated Frenchman, Maurice. Sharon has appeared at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, GBS Theatre in London, Portland Center Stage and Pioneer Theatre Company among many others.

Director Matthew Arbour returns to The Shakespeare Theatre for his 4th season. His Shakespeare Theatre directing credits include Little Foxes, The Bald Soprano and The Rivals. He has directed at theatres across the country including Chautauqua Theater Company, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, Two River Theatre Company and many more. He regularly serves as a script judge for The Princess Grace Award for New Dramatists and is a Drama League Directing Fellow.

Creating the world of Fallen Angels are set designer Charles Corcoran, lighting designer Tony Galaska, and costume designer Martha Bromelmeier. Christine Whalen is the production stage manager.

Tickets range from $35 to $70; student rush tickets are available 30 minutes prior to curtain for $15. For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts. The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is located at 36 Madison Avenue in Madison. Individual tickets and choose-your own 5-play and 4-play discount ticket packages can be purchased by calling the box office at 973-408-5600 or by visiting www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at7:30 p.m.; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Photo Credit: Gerry Goodstein, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

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