The Utah Shakespearean Festival Makes 2010 Season Announcements

The Utah Shakespearean Festival recently announced additional dates in its 2010 season, a new "Festival Experience" activity, and price adjustments, including lower prices in some sections.

 

These final adjustments were made in time to be included in the Festival's annual season brochure which will mail this week. The brochure is also available at the Festival website, www.bard.org.

The Festival has extended the calendar for its summer plays in the Adams Shakespearean Theatre by one week, until September 4. Those Shakespearean plays are MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, and MACBETH. Plays in the Randall L. Jones Theatre (the hilarious Broadway hit Alfred's Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS, Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and a world premier of the musical GREAT EXPECTATIONS will close August 28. The summer season for all six plays begins on June 28.

In addition, the Festival has added a week to the fall season, which now runs from September 16 to October 23 in the Randall Theatre and features Shakespeare's "Pericles," the slapstick comedy GREATER TUNA and the heart-warming THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.

"Last year we cut one week off the summer season and another off the fall season," said R. Scott Phillips, Festival executive director. "We think we are offering some very popular plays this year, and early sales figures bare that out, so we have added the extra week back in to give our audiences more opportunity to visit the Festival."

In addition, the Festival has added a new activity to the "Festival Experience," to enhance the visit of play-goers. "Repertory Magic" will allow patrons to sit in the Randall Theatre and watch as technicians change scenery, props, and lights from the matinee show to the evening presentation, with a Festival host answering questions during the process. It is a fascinating and well-choreographed process that will give everyone a deeper appreciation for the effort of producing live repertory theatre.

"The twice-a-day scene change is one of the most magical (and difficult) aspects of repertory theatre," said Phillips. "Technicians must rapidly, efficiently, and safely maneuver dozens of scenery pieces, aim and focus hundreds of lights, and prepare numerous stage props and costumes for the next show. It is exciting to watch."

Tickets for "Repertory Magic" are $8 and may be purchased at the Ticket Office.

Finally, the new 2010 brochure includes some ticket price adjustments that were actually announced earlier. Although prices in some sections were raised, prices for seats in other sections stayed the same or were even lowered. For instance, seats in the Adams Theatre side gallery and lord's gallery sections are $2 lower than in 2009.

"We are excited about these changes," said Phillips. "The dust from the economic challenges of 2009 is starting to settle, and we are confident that these changes will make the Festival even more vital for the future."

The 2010 season runs from June 28 to October 23 with matinee and evening performances Monday through Saturday. Tickets are currently available at www.bard.org and 1-800-PLAYTIX.

The $99 Romance Package ($107 for weekend pricing) includes two tickets to any Monday through Wednesday production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (playing July 2 to August 28) and a certificate for $25 towards dinner at The Garden House of Cedar City.

But you need to hurry. The deadline to order is today, February 10.

 

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