The Shakespeare Theatre Of New Jersey Presents Noel Coward's FALLEN ANGELS, 7/3-7/28

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's summer of comedy continues with Noël Coward's frothy delightFallen Angels. Fallen Angels begins performances on July 3 and continues through July 28th at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. 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.

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.

The Cast

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.

About the Director

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.

The Artistic Staff

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.

Special Performances

The first preview performance of Fallen Angels on Wednesday, July 3 at 7:30 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 7:30 p.m. preview performance. Offer is subject to availability. Call the box office at 973-408-5600 for details.

For no more than the cost of a regular ticket, Symposium Series performances include the addition of a free post-play discussion with the cast and artistic staff, on Tuesday, July 9th at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday July 13th; and Saturday July 20th at2:00 p.m.

On Thursday, July 11th, The Shakespeare Theatre presents the popular education program Know the Show. From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., members of the artistic staff will present a pre-performance talk that provides background information and an insider's perspective on Fallen Angels.

General admission to Know the Show is $5 for the general public, $4 for subscribers and ticket package holders. Tickets to that evening's 8:00 p.m. performance may be purchased separately.

The 2:00 p.m. performance on July 20th will be audio described for those who are blind or have visual impairments. Audio description enables patrons to hear, through an FM transmitter, a live description of the action on the stage. A pre-performance sensory seminar is offered that allows patrons to explore props, costumes and set pieces to further enhance their live theatrical experience. The service is offered free of charge.

Tickets & General Information

Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturdayand Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre's 2013 Season

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's 2013 season continues with Shakespeare's As You Like It at the beautiful and family-friendly amphitheater on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth. The Outdoor Stage production of As You Like It will run June 19th to July 28th.

On the Main Stage, the summer portion of the season continues with the long-forgotten comedy Tovarich, a wonderfully eccentric, improbable romance about an indomitable Russian Grand Duchess and her dashing Prince of a husband hiding out in Paris. Tovarich, by Jacques Deval, translated by famed American writer Robert E. Sherwood, will begin performances on August 7th and runs through August 25th.

Next, Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr. makes his Shakespeare Theatre directorial debut with the world premiere of Cathy Tempelsman's A Most Dangerous Woman which explores the extraordinary life of Mary Ann Evans - better known by her pen name George Eliot - the infamous and groundbreaking author of the Victorian era. A Most Dangerous Womanwill run September 18th through October 6th.

This Fall, The Shakespeare Theatre will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the iconic and beloved American classic Our Townby Thornton Wilder. Our Town runs October 16th to November 17th and features several school-time matinee performances.

The 2013 season will close with William Shakespeare's Pericles, a fantastical odyssey epic filled with perilous adventures, courageous acts, and a thrilling and climactic rejuvenation. Pericles will begin performances on December 4th and continues through December 29th.

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 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. 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 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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