Sonnet Repertory Theatre & Matchbook Productions Ends Run of RICHARD II 5/24

Sonnet Repertory Theatre and Matchbook Productions will end its run of Richard II at The Tank on May 24, bringing an uncommon aspect to this classic: flight. Re-imagined as a tale told by Nineteenth Century artists railing against Imperialism, eight actors, four low-flying trapezes and live music combine to raise the language of Shakespeare to new heights.

Matchbook Productions innovates through the marriage of traditional theatre with the aerial arts. By taking to the air, Matchbook utilizes dimensions typically neglected by conventional stage performances, thus opening a new realm of possibilities for performers and audiences.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre's mission is dedicated to classic theatre for the modern planet. As a non-profit organization, SRT seeks to promote classic theatre to a contemporary audience by producing insightful and relevant interpretations, while also providing diverse and challenging creative opportunities.

The production features Mat Hostetler (Off-Broadway premiere of American Jornalero, the upcoming HBO series "Boardwalk Empire;" regionally work includes the National Theatre Conservatory, and Colorado Shakespeare Festival - 2008 Denver Post Ovation Nomination for Best Year by an Actor), Vince Nappo (Merchant Of Venice with F. Murray Abraham at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Portland Center Stage, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center Theatre Company, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Cincinnati Playhouse), Khris Lewin (American premiere of Robin Soan's Talking to Terrorists, Richard Caliban's Teatro Slovak, a new translation of Brecht's Private Life of the Master Race; media work includes the independent shorts The Eyes Have It, First Date, Isn't She and CBS' "Wallstrip"), Eileen Little (Co-Founder of Matchbook Productions, original cast member in Bill Pullman's Expedition 6, numerous works at NYC Aerial Festival, The Zipper, Soundance, Blecker Street Theatre, STREB), Danielle Slavick (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, understudy for all three ladies in Playwrights Horizons' Circle, Mirror, Transformation and a recurring role on "Guiding Light"), Brent Rose (recent massive web project: 50 Characters in 50 Weeks), Daniel Loeser (California Shakespeare Festival, San Jose Rep, Denver Center Theatre Company), Kiebpoli Calnek (various works at The Kitchen, Judson Church LaMama, STREB, P.S. 122, Danspace Project, The OHIO, 3 Legged-Dog and DTW) and Nathan Cohen (member of Boston bands What Time Is It, Mr. Fox? and Humanwine).
Director Steven Cole Hughes brings his experience as creator and leader of Matchbook Workshops, which seek to combine acting technique and the aerial arts. Hughes' low-flying trapeze plays include: Intrusives, a Denver Center Theatre Company commission about Lawrence of Arabia and Battleground State, which was written for MFA students at the National Theatre Conservatory. He is the winner of the 2008 Denver Post Ovation Award for Best New Work for his play Billy Hell, which premiered at Colorado's Creede Repertory Theatre.
Assistant director John Behlmann created several original comedic web series for CBS including "Heckle U" and "Dudes," and served as a regular writer for the long-running Webby-nominated series "Wallstrip." He is also currently starring in 39 Steps.

Lighting Designer Ryan O'Gara's numerous Broadway credits include: Million Dollar Quartet, All About Me, West Side Story, To Be or Not To Be, Cry Baby, Gypsy, In the Heights (including 1st National Tour), Xanadu, LoveMusik, and Avenue Q. Production stage manager Lisa McGinn (Or, Smudge - Women's Project; numerous works at Two River Theatre, The Old Globe, SoHo Playhouse) and costumer designer Emily Lippolis (Spaceship to Venus - Examined Man, The Wall - Playwright's Horizon-NYU) round out the production team.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre is headed up by Co-Artistic Directors Tiffany Little Canfield (Casting Director at Telsey + Company in New York City with credits that include: Baz Luhrmann's production of Puccini's La Boheme on Broadway, the films Dan in Real Life, Julie Taymor's Across the Universe, Sex and the City (both films), the ABC Pilot Ugly Betty and many Broadway shows and commercials) and Todd Loyd (numerous on and off Broadway credits as actor, director and everything in-between include: the Broadway productions of La Boheme, The Color Purple; works at The Kennedy Center, The EuGene O'Neill Playwright's Conference, Lincoln Center Institute, Cedar Lake Dance, PCPA Theaterfest, The Belt Theatre; such festivals as NYMF and NAMT).

www.sonnetrepertorytheatre.org / www.matchbookproductions.org

RICHARD II
The Tank, 354 West 45th Street (between 8/9 Avenues)
Fri 5/7, Sat 5/8 at 7pm and Sun 5/9 at 3pm
Mon 5/10, Wed 5/19, Fri 5/21 at 7pm
Sun 5/23 and Mon 5/24 at 7pm
Tickets are $15, General Admission
For tickets visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/99446, or call 800-838-3006.

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