Shakespeare Theatre Of New Jersey's HAMLET Opens 9/12

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Hamlet, which begins the Fall portion of its Fantastic Voyages season. Shakespeare's masterpiece, led by Broadway veterans Gareth Saxe and Robert Cuccioli, and directed by Shakespeare Theatre artistic director Bonnie J. Monte began performances on September 9, officially opens tonight, September 12 and continues through October 11 at the Shakespeare Theatre Main Stage - The F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Road in Madison. 

The production features an evocative soundscape created by sound designer Karin Graybash and featuring the voices of Harmonium Choral Society, led by Artistic Director Anne Matlack.

Harmonium Choral Society is one of New Jersey's leading choral arts organizations. Founded in 1979, it has been led by Yale-educated Artistic Director Dr. Anne Matlack since 1987. The 90-member chorus and its select 20-voice Chamber Singers are made up of committed volunteers from northern New Jersey and surrounding areas.

Winners of Chorus America's prestigious 2009 Education Outreach Program Award, Harmonium is dedicated to performing a diverse repertoire at a high artistic level, and increasing community appreciation of choral music through concerts, education and outreach. Their concert season consists of three concerts, in December, March, and June, performed in Morristown and Madison.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey offers a special opportunity to support the Theatre and get a behind-the-scenes look at Hamlet with "The Hamlet Experience." "The Hamlet Experience" is a special, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for individuals or groups of individuals to sponsor a specific character from Hamlet to help bring them to life - to help them "be!" Character sponsorship opportunities range from $50 to $1,000. All sponsorships include meeting your character after the show. Additional benefits for higher levels of sponsorship range from autographed photos and free tickets, to attending a rehearsal, and backstage tour of the production! To become a sponsor, contact the Development Department at 973-408-3761

Gareth Saxe leads the cast of Hamlet in the title role. Saxe appeared as Joey in last season's Drama Desk Award-winning Broadway revival of The Homecoming and previously in the Roundabout Theatre's acclaimed production of Heartbreak House. He also appeared in A Moon to Dance By with Robert Cuccioli and Jane Alexander at The REP in Pittsburgh, PA. For The Shakespeare Theatre, Saxe has appeared in The Importance of Being Earnest, Les Liaisons Dangereuses and The Merchant of Venice.

For more information about the season, call 973-408-5600, email or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's 2009 Season continues with 2 productions on the Main Stage.

Adapted by Frank Galati from the epic novel by John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath runs October 21 through November 15. The story of Tom Joad and his family's journey during the Great Depression is a majestic and deeply affecting portrait of American life and the American soul at a defining moment in our nation's history. The production is directed by Joe Discher who directed the 2004 acclaimed production of Of Mice and Men.

Closing the season is Shakespeare's Twelfth Night running December 2 through January 3, 2010. Directed by Bonnie J. Monte, Twelfth Night is a shimmering confection - delightfully tart, ravishingly bittersweet and spectacularly frothy all at once. It is a joyous show for the holidays and for families of all ages.

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.

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.

For tickets, call the box office at 973-408-5600, visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org or email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org. 

Photo credit Gerry Goodstein

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