BEOWULF Plays Orlando Shakespeare Theater 2/23-3/20

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF continues its 2010-2011 Season with a searing one-man adaptation of the old English epic, Beowulf, playing at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center from February 23 - March 20, 2011.

Directed by Orlando Shakes Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, Beowulf features actor/writer Charlie Bethel in a one-hour solo performance that is both a faithful adaptation and utterly accessible for those who slept through Medieval Lit. Based on the classic monster tale and morality poem, the intrepid hero, Beowulf, travels across the sea to save a kingdom from Grendel, an evil, man-eating monster, and its equally demonic mother, only to die in battle with an avaricious dragon.

"Charlie Bethel has re-imagined the ancient story creating a terrific one-hour adventure that is both timeless and timely," said director Jim Helsinger. "It's a breathtaking adventure of swords and sorcery, monsters and mead halls that has delighted our senses for over a thousand years, and Charlie makes it all very modern and exciting for a contemporary audience."

The creative team for this compelling adaptation includes Jim Helsinger, director; Robbin Watts, scenic designer; Mary Heffernan, lighting designer; and Zanna King, production operator.

Beowulf first premiered at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis in October 2001. The show has subsequently played various venues including: Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences (Charleston, WV), Raven Theater (Chicago), Cincinnati Playhouse, and Joseph Campbell's Centenary Celebration at the Esalen Institute (Big Sur, CA) where it received acclaim from audiences and critics.

"...hip, interesting and important." - Nick Dobbins, Minnesota Daily

"...a bold and colorful narrative [which] Bethel delivers masterfully." - Bob Schwarz, Charleston Gazette

"Bethel's telling is filled with good humor: He delivers Beowulf's dialogue with an absurdly slapdash bravado and lingers lovingly on every ghastly detail as sword rends flesh, sinew, and bone." --Max Sparber, CityPages

Beowulf is part of Orlando Shakespeare Theater's Darden Signature Series which runs in repertory with a magical, modern production of Shakespeare's classic A Midsummer Night's Dream and a lively adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice, followed by the Theater for Young Audiences production of Alexander, Who's Not...Going to Move and closing in April 2011 with the Florida premiere of Charm.

ABOUT THE ACTOR
Charlie Bethel (Solo Performance) Charlie Bethel is an actor/writer based in Minneapolis, MN. Theaters: Trinity Rep, Trinity Ensemble, Cape May Stage, Utah Shakespeare Festival, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Econo-Art Theater Company, Red Bones, Next Theater Company, Apple Tree, The Jungle Theater, The Children's Theatre Company, Hey City Stage, Minnesota Opera, Opera Memphis, and CalibanCo. In addition to the theater work, Charlie has worked as a creative consultant for the Diamond-Star/Mitsubishi Motors Company (Normal, IL), as a writer for Red Farm Films (Seattle), as filthy joke generator for the Innovisions Greeting Card Company (Chicago), and as documentarian for WDUR-TV 5 (Durham/ Chapel Hill, NC). A native Southerner, Charlie is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, the South Carolina Governor's School, and he comes from a long line of talkers.

What: Beowulf, Adapted and Performed by Charlie Bethel

Where: Orlando Shakespeare Theater in the Mandell Theater
Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803

When: February 23 - March 20, 2011 - ON SALE NOW!

Dates & Prices:
Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm - all seats $15
Friday and Saturday at 8:30pm - all seats $20
Sunday at 1pm - all seats $15

DISCOUNTS:
Group Sales: 10% off for groups of 10-19/ 20% off for groups of 20 or more, call ext. 265
Student Rush: $10 - 30 minutes prior to show w/ valid student ID
Military/Student Price: $10 off single ticket prices

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION:
Previews: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 and Thursday, February 24 at 7:30pm
Opening Night: Friday, February 25, 2011 at 8:30pm
Post-Show Talkback: Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 7:30pm

Tickets are available by calling 407-447-1700 or online at http://orlandoshakes.org and in person at the box office located inside the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando's Loch Haven Cultural Park. Box Office hours are 12pm to show time, Tuesday-Saturday, and one hour prior to show time on Sundays for walk up sales. On non-performance days, the Box Office closes at 5pm. The Box Office is closed on Mondays.

The 2010-2011 Signature Series is made possible by series sponsor Darden Restaurants. The Classic Rep is funded in part by the Orange County government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program. Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is supported by United Arts of Central Florida with funds from the United Arts campaign and by State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.

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