The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Presents NO MAN'S LAND, 8/11-29

For the first time in 15 years, a work by Nobel Prize winner Harold Pinter will be presented on The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Main Stage. Beginning on August 11 and continuing through August 29, Pinter's 1975 modern classic No Man's Land, directed by artistic director Bonnie J. Monte, will run at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Discount 4-play and 3-play ticket packages are also available. No Man's Land contains adult language and is not recommended for children.

Considered one of the most influential British playwrights in modern times, Harold Pinter was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2005. In awarding the prize, the Academy referred to the playwright, screenwriter, actor and director as "a modern classic." He is the author of 29 stage plays and more than two dozen screenplays. Some of his best known plays include The Caretaker, The Homecoming, and Betrayal. His screenplay adaptations include The French Lieutenant's Woman, Sleuth and many of his plays. Pinter died in 2008.

No Man's Land marks Ms. Monte's first return to the mysterious and haunting world of Pinter since her acclaimed production of The Homecoming in 1995. This disturbing and controversial piece offers up Pinter's biting wit and brilliant use of language. Upon its opening in 1975, the Arts Guardian of London called No Man's Land "a masterly summation of all the themes that have long obsessed Pinter...a living theatrical experience full of rich comedy in which one speech constantly undercuts another."

No Man's Land offers tour-de-force roles for its four actors and director Bonnie J. Monte has assembled a cast of some of the most prominent Shakespeare Theatre Company members.

Edmond Genest, celebrating his 15th Season with the Shakespeare Theatre, plays Hirst, an upper-class alcoholic in whose house the play takes place. Genest's Broadway credits include The Elephant Man with Billy Crudup, A Few Good Men, The Real Thing and Whose Life is it Anyway. Shakespeare Theatre patrons will recognize Genest from his roles in Noises Off, Around the World in Eighty Days, King Lear, The Time of Your Life, The Cherry Orchard and many others. He has also appeared at theatres throughout the nation including Roundabout Theatre Company, Long Wharf Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and The Kennedy Center.

Sherman Howard plays Spooner, a failed poet. Howard is in his sixth season at the Theatre where he has appeared in A Christmas Carol, The Cherry Orchard, Life of Galileo, Much Ado about Nothing and Enrico V. His Broadway credits include All My Sons and Inherit the Wind. He recently appeared in the acclaimed off-Broadway production of Another Part of the Forest. He has also appeared at The Public Theatre and Roundabout Theatre and in the national tour of Sweet Bird of Youth with Lauren Bacall. His television credits include Seinfeld and Star Trek.

Paul Mullins returns for his 19th season to play Briggs. As an actor at the Shakespeare Theatre, Mullins has appeared in Richard III, Othello, The Three Sisters and The Forest among others. Also a director, Mullins has staged recent productions of Noises Off, Private Lives, The Time of Your Life, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead among others for the Theatre. His off-Broadway credits include Paradise Park at The Signature Theatre, True Love at Zipper Theatre and The Merchant of Venice at New York Shakespeare Festival. He has also appeared at prestigious theatres throughout the country including Steppenwolf, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Yale Repertory Theatre.

Derek Wilson completes the cast as Foster. Wilson, in his sixth season at The Shakespeare Theatre, has appeared in The Comedy of Errors, Henry VI: Blood & Roses, Cymbeline and The Rivals among others. His New York credits include work with the New York Theatre Experiment, NYFringe, and Bohemian Archaeology.

The Director
Now in her 20th Anniversary Season, Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte has directed more than 40 productions for the Theatre in her two decades at its helm. In addition, she has created and directed a number of original translations and adaptations for the stage including Enrico V, Pride and Prejudice, The Triumph of Love, The Blue Bird, and The Servant of Two Masters which premiered this year on the Outdoor Stage. While associate artistic director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival, she was part of a writing team that collaborated with Tennessee Williams on an eight-hour, two part production entitled Tennessee Williams: A Celebration - a retrospective tribute to Williams' literary canon.

The Artistic Staff

Creating the world of No Man's Land are set designer Adam Miecielica, lighting designer Steven Rosen, costume designer Hugh Hanson, and sound designer Karin Graybash. Stephen Gabis is the dialect coach and Kathy Snyder serves as production stage manager.

Tickets
Full price single tickets for No Man's Land are now on sale and range in price from $31 to $54 depending on performance day and time. Single ticket prices include a $2 facility fee not subject to discount. For tickets, call the box office at 973-408-5600, visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org or email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org.

Save with Discount Ticket Packages
4-play and 3-play choose-your-own discount ticket packages are now on sale. The discount ticket packages feature up to 40% percent savings off the cost of regular tickets, the best seats to all Main Stage productions; free, easy and unlimited ticket exchanges should schedules change; discounts on additional tickets; and the convenience of having tickets in hand and dates scheduled in advance. Choose-your-own 4-play and 3-Play ticket packages start at $80. Call The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office at 973-408-5600. Call the box office at 973-408-5600. Look for more information at www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Special Performances
Preview performances for No Man's Land are Wednesday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m; Thursday and Friday, August 12 and 13 at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, August 14 at 2 p.m. These Preview performances offer opportunities for reduced-priced tickets while enjoying the excitement of the very first performances in front of an audience. As always, the first Preview performance is Pay What You Can night. Visit The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office between noon and curtain on August 11 and purchase a ticket for what you are able to pay for that evening's 7:30 preview performance (regularly $31 to $34, offer subject to availability).

For each production, The Shakespeare Theatre presents the popular education program Know the Show. From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., artists from The Shakespeare Theatre will present a pre-performance talk that provides background information and an insider's perspective on the production. Know the Show will be held on August 19 at 7:00 p.m. General admission is $5 for the general public, $4 for ticket package holders. Tickets to that evening's 8:00 p.m. performance may be purchased separately for $43 balcony seating or $47 for orchestra seating.

The Saturday, August 28 at 2 p.m. performance will be audio described for those who are blind or have visual impairments. Audio description enables patrons with visual impairments 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 feel props, costumes and set pieces to further enhance their live theatrical experience. The service is offered free of charge. Tickets for the Saturday 2 p.m. performance are $43 and $47.

2010 Season

The 2010 Season includes 3 additional Main Stage plays.

Shakespeare's comedic genius returns to the Main Stage with ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL running September 15 through October 10. Not seen on The Shakespeare Theatre stage in more than a decade, this new vision of Shakespeare's mercurial romance will be directed by longtime company member Stephen Fried.

James Goldman's wickedly biting "domestic comedy" THE LION IN WINTER follows next. Goldman's acerbic comedy of a dysfunctional family dynasty in the year 1183 was nominated for two Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway, and was later made into an Academy Award winning film featuring Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. THE LION IN WINTER will be directed by veteran company member Paul Mullins and runs October 20 through November 14.

To celebrate the Holiday Season, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present the American East Coast premiere of Dodie Smith's British romantic comedy I CAPTURE THE CASTLE. Most famous for her novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE was Ms. Smith's first novel which she then adapted for the stage. This 1930's coming-of-age classic is perfect for family audiences and is full of colorful Bohemian characters, wit, wisdom, and a fabulous crumbling castle. Directed by Cameron Watson, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE runs December 1 through January 2.

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 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.

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