Shakespeare Theater Of NJ Announces Its 2009 Season

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey announced its 2009 season of seven Main Stage productions and annual Outdoor Stage production today. "We had an incredible 2008 season that included a record breaking number of subscribers." said Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte. "I am thrilled to be able to announce an extraordinary 47th Anniversary season that I think will once again thrill our audiences."

The Theatre also announced it would maintain the increased discounts on its subscription and ticket packages instituted for the 2008 Season, offering subscribers substantial discounts of up to 45% off single ticket prices. "Our priority has always been to make our performances available to the broadest spectrum of audiences as possible. We believe, with these discounts, we have an affordable subscription package for everyone," said Ms. Monte. In addition to the substantial discounts, subscriber benefits include free ticket exchanges and an exchange policy that even allows for last minute exchanges. "If a patron is stuck at work, or even stuck in traffic, they can instantly send us an email, or give us a call and exchange their tickets," Ms. Monte explained.

The 2009 Season kicks off in late April with an exhilarating, hilarious and amazing race around the globe, Around the World in Eighty Days. On a whim and a bet, Phileas Fogg takes off on a whirlwind, action-packed adventure in this theatrical version of this Jules Verne classic story adapted by Bonnie J. Monte. Around the World in Eighty Days will run from April 29, 2009 through May 24, 2009.

Beginning June 3 and running through June 28 is The Little Foxes by American playwright Lillian Hellman. "As a theatrical story-teller Lillian Hellman is biting and expert," said Brooks Atkinson of the New York Times about this compelling and cautionary tale of an ambitious, turn of the century Southern family torn apart by bitter disappointment, greed and deception.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey returns once again to its popular Outdoor Stage with William Shakespeare's The Tempest. Performed at the Greek Theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre, on the pastoral campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, The Tempest will begin performances on June 24 and continue through August 2. Marooned on a mysterious island full of magical creatures, the magus Prospero prepares to wreak havoc on those who have wronged him, only to learn the greater value of compassion and forgiveness. This fun, mystical masterpiece is a perfect play for families and people of all ages.

The rarely performed Timon of Athens by William Shakespeare follows with performances from July 8 through July 26th. Shakespeare's tale of an extravagantly generous man whose friends fail him when his fortunes change is eerily resonant for our time.

Finishing the summer portion of the 2009 Season will be the British farce Noises Off by Michael Frayn. Quickly earning an exalted place in the canon of comedic classics, Noises Off pulls back the curtain on a troupe of actors in rehearsal and performance for Nothing On, a ridiculously silly farce where off-stage shenanigans lead to on-stage chaos. Noises Off begins performances on August 9 and continues through August 30.

William Shakespeare's Hamlet, considered by many to be the greatest play ever written, will launch the fall portion of the season. Directed by Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte, Hamlet will run from September 9 through October 11. The production features several special school-time matinees, offering thousands of students the opportunity to experience this great masterpiece in performance.

The great American classic The Grapes of Wrath, adapted from John Steinbeck's novel by Frank Galati, follows with performances beginning October 21 and continuing through November 21. The story of Tom Joad and his family's flight from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma during the Great Depression is a majestic and deeply affecting study of American life and the American soul at a defining moment in the nation's history.

The season will conclude with William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night running December 2 through January 3, 2010. A shimmering comedic confection this is sometimes ravishingly sweet, sometimes bittersweet and sometimes spectacularly frothy, it is a joyous show for the holidays and family theatre-going.

Advance orders for Complete Works subscriptions, featuring tickets to all seven Main Stage productions, are now being taken. Complete Works subscriptions range in price from $105 to $378. Student subscriptions are available for $70. Call The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office at 973-408-5600. The Complete Works subscription features up to 45% percent savings off the cost of regular tickets, the best seats to all seven Main Stage productions; free, easy and unlimited ticket exchanges should your schedule change; discounts on additional tickets; and the convenience of having your tickets in hand and dates scheduled in advance. Call the box office at 973-408-5600. Look for more information at www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Main Stage, the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, is conveniently located in Madison at 36 Madison Avenue (Route 124) at Lancaster Road (on the Drew University campus), just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free. The Outdoor Stage is located at the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown. The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is barrier free with access into the Theatre via a ramp and elevator access to all floors. Wheelchair seating and transfer seating is available. Braille and large print programs are available. Infrared listening devices are available free of charge. Some performances are audio described, captioned and sign-language interpreted. Contact the theatre for more information. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

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 only 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.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional major support is received from The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the F. M. Kirby Foundation, The Edward T. Cone Foundation, The Shubert Foundation and Drew University, as well as contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, government agencies and individuals. American Airlines is the official airline of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Crystal Rock Water is the company's official water provider. Barefoot Wine is the official wine provider. The 2008 Outdoor Stage production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is sponsored by Bank of America.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Bonnie J. Monte
TICKETS & INFO: Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

 

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