BWW Review: KING LEAR at Shakespeare & Company
The return of the performing arts across the region over the past few weeks has given Berkshire theatre goers much to celebrate. With the opening production of KING LEAR, Shakespeare & Company increases the list of reasons, “when power to flattery bows”.
BWW Review: THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR at Shakespeare & Company Leaves Berkshire Audiences Laughing Out Loud.
The cast includes Martin Jason Asprey (Mr. Frank Ford), Steven Barkhimer (George Page), Gregory Boover (Master Fenton), MaConnia Chesser (Meg Page), Jordan Cobb (Anne Page), Tobias Goodman (Pistol/Simple), Nigel Gore (Sir John Falstaff), Cloteal L. Horne (Mistress Quickly), Jennie M. Jadow (Alice Ford), Madeleine Rose Maggio (Robert Shallow), Bella Merlin (Sir Hugh Evans), and Mary Shalaby (Nym/Rugby). Many of whom we recently enjoyed in the Shakespeare & Company production of Twelfth Night. The troupe is outstanding. Steven Barhimer, Gregory Boover, MaConnia Chesser, Jordan Cobb, Jennie M. Jadow are so at-ease and comfortable in their roles and make the audience feel likewise. Tobias Goodman and Mary Shalaby are especially noteworthy and accomplished particularly given that they are the youngest in the ensemble but keep pace and level with both more seasoned and professional members of the cast. Madeleine Rose Maggio and Bella Merlin both take on roles of the opposite gender with confidence and convection and both make it work well. Cloteal L. Horne is sassy and soulful providing enough attitude to keep things real and some surprise vocals that are impressive as well. Nigel Gore and Martin Jason Asprey seem to have been born to do Shakespeare. Both have well-developed sense of comedic timing. Asprey's banter directly with the audience delights and earns spontaneous mid-scene applause multiple times.
Shakespeare & Company Holds 2018 Season Gala
Honoring Trustee Michael A. Miller for his twenty-five years of service, Shakespeare & Company held its 2018 Season Gala on Saturday, June 30th. The sold-out benefit, co-chaired by Rhea Werner and Suzanne Werner, was the most successful in Company history, raising more than $400,000 for Training, Education, and Performance programs.
Shakespeare & Company Announces Their Annual Gala
Shakespeare & Company celebrates its 41st Season, Saturday, June 30th with its annual Gala. This year's event will honor Trustee Michael A. Miller for his twenty-five years of dedication to the Company. The very special evening will feature a one-night-only performance blending music and theatre from Silkroad Ensemble and Shakespeare & Company's venerated performers.
Shakespeare & Company Receives Berkshire United Way Grant for Shakespeare in the Courts
Shakespeare & Company recently announced it is the recipient of a $15,000 grant from Berkshire United Way to support its Shakespeare in the Courts program. Through this program adjudicated juvenile offenders in Pittsfield work with Shakespeare & Company Education Artists for six weeks exploring Shakespeare's text while preparing their own fully produced Shakespeare production.
WAM Theatre's Fresh Takes Reading Series to Continue with THE DROLL
The WAM Theatre 2017 Fresh Takes Play reading series continues with The Droll by Meg Miroshnik at 3:30 pm on Sunday, June 4 at No. Six Depot Roastery and Cafe in West Stockbridge. WAM Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven will direct, and acclaimed local professional actor and theatre educator Jennie M. Jadow is co-producing and will be reading one of the roles.
Shakespeare & Company's SHAKESPEARE IN THE COURTS Celebrates 15 Years Tonight
Shakespeare & Company's groundbreaking Shakespeare in the Courts program celebrates its 15th year with a presentation of scenes and sword-play from Henry V tonight, March 25th at 7pm in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre. Led by Company directors and teaching artists, the Shakespeare in the Courts six-week long program guides adjudicated youth, who meet four times a week, in an exploration of Shakespeare's plays.
Shakespeare & Company's SHAKESPEARE IN THE COURTS Celebrates 15 Years, 3/25
Shakespeare & Company's groundbreaking Shakespeare in the Courts program celebrates its 15th year with a presentation of scenes and sword-play from Henry V next Wednesday, March 25th at 7pm in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre. Led by Company directors and teaching artists, the Shakespeare in the Courts six-week long program guides adjudicated youth, who meet four times a week, in an exploration of Shakespeare's plays.
Shakespeare & Company's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Begins Tonight
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, inspired by the classic 1946 film starring Donna Reed and James Stewart, returns to Shakespeare & Company for a limited run this December. Adapted by Joe Landry from the original screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Joe Swerling, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play reunites director Jenna Ware with the stalwart cast from our 2013 hit production, all of whom made the play one of most successful holiday shows to date! Filled with just the right hint of nostalgia and charm, audiences will once again step back in time to the Golden Age of radio with this poignant, funny and unique play-within-a-play that may just leave you believing in angels!Visit: www.shakespeare.org for tickets and further information.
Shakespeare & Company's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Begins 12/5
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, inspired by the classic 1946 film starring Donna Reed and James Stewart, returns to Shakespeare & Company for a limited run this December. Adapted by Joe Landry from the original screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Joe Swerling, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play reunites director Jenna Ware with the stalwart cast from our 2013 hit production, all of whom made the play one of most successful holiday shows to date! Filled with just the right hint of nostalgia and charm, audiences will once again step back in time to the Golden Age of radio with this poignant, funny and unique play-within-a-play that may just leave you believing in angels!Visit: www.shakespeare.org for tickets and further information.
LES FAUX PAS Launches 2013 Bankside Festival Today
The work of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known to us as Moliere, returns to the Rose Footprint Theatre (the Company produced Tartuffe on the Footprint last season) with a new adaptation of one of his sauciest plays, Les Faux Pas: or The Counter Plots. Director Jenna Ware, who also adapted the piece, pulls out all of the stops with this riotously funny play. Featuring a cast of 11 new-comers and Company favorites Jenne Jadow and Dana Harrison Les Faux Pas: or The Counter Plots kicks off the Bankside Festival. Press Opening is tonight, July 6 at 5:30PM.
Photo Flash: First Look at the Cast of Shakespeare & Company's LES FAUX PAS
The work of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known to us as Moliere, returns to the Rose Footprint Theatre (the Company produced Tartuffe on the Footprint last season) with a new adaptation of one of his sauciest plays, Les Faux Pas: or The Counter Plots. Director Jenna Ware, who also adapted the piece, pulls out all of the stops with this riotously funny play. Featuring a cast of 11 new-comers and Company favorites Jenne Jadow and Dana Harrison Les Faux Pas: or The Counter Plots kicks off the Bankside Festival. Press Opening is Saturday, July 6 at 5:30PM. Scroll down for a first look at the cast!
Shakespeare & Company Announces 12th Annual Fourth of July of Celebration
In the spirit of Shakespeare & Company's 12th annual Fourth of July Celebrations, Artistic Director Tony Simotes welcomes back many special guests to join in on the festivities including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, State Senator Benjamin Downing, and Massachusetts State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, all of whom will partake in the readings as well as being involved in other exciting ancillary events, including a surprise performance of the outrageous Nickel Shakespeare Girls, surrounding the Fourth of July holiday. Festivities begin at 1:30 PM with a public All-American BBQ (a la carte) followed by the historic reading at 3 PM under the big top tent at Shakespeare & Company's 70 Kemble Street property. This event is FREE and open to the public.