Seattle Shakespeare Company Announces Seasons

"In my inaugural season as Artistic Director I wanted to have a mix that was both an ambitious stretch and a way to honor our past triumphs," said Mount. "I'm so very thrilled that many of our shows will involve so many talented artists who are also audience favorites.  It's a wonderful roster of plays, and I can't wait for us to share them with our patrons."

The outdoor Wooden O shows for summer 2012 take a slightly chilly tone as the company will present the Twelfth Night directed by Makaela Pollock and The Winter's Tale directed by Mary Machala. The shows will be performed in parks at Mercer Island, Sammamish, Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds, SeaTac, Issaquah, and Shoreline with other cities and venues to be announced. All performances are free and open to the public with donations encouraged at the site.

Seattle Shakespeare Company's indoor season for 2012-2013 launches with Shakespeare's epic romance Antony and Cleopatra directed by John Langs, who staged the company's award-winning production of Hamlet, and featuring husband and wife actors Hans Altwies as Antony and Amy Thone as Cleopatra.  Antony and Cleopatra will be staged at the Intiman Playhouse in the fall of 2012.  A Doll's House, Henrik Ibsen's searing drama of personal duty versus public expectations, will be directed by Russ Banham in the winter of 2013 at the Center House Theatre and will feature Jennifer Sue Johnson as Nora and Darragh Kennan as Torvald.  Love's Labors Lost, Shakespeare exuberant comedy of young love brightens the winter nights in 2013 at the Center House Theatre.  As a lead in to Wooden O's 20^th anniversary in 2013, the company will present an indoor revival of one its most popular outdoor offerings, The Taming the Shrew.  Director Aimée Bruneau stages this rowdy comedy set in a trailer park in a forgotten corner of America featuring actors Kelly Kitchens and David Quicksall who will reprise their roles as the battling Kate and Petrucchio.  The Taming of the Shrew will be performed in the spring of 2013.

Season tickets subscription packages are now on sale and range from $72 to $152 for all four indoor productions. Season ticket subscription packages can be purchased by calling the ticket office at (206) 733-8222.  Single tickets will be on sale in September. 

2012 WOODEN O FREE OUTDOOR SEASON

Twelfth Night

By William Shakespeare Ÿ Directed by Makaela Pollock

July 12-August 12, 2012 at park locations throughout King and Snohomish Counties

Love has everyone unglued in Illyria. When Viola, a castaway, disguises herself as a boy to find work as Duke Orsino's servant, she gets caught in a compromising love triangle.  Meanwhile, Olivia's household cranks up their mischief making by tricking a stuffy steward into believing his mistress has fallen for him. This treasured comedy brims with wild infatuations, delightful antics, and beloved comic characters.

The Winter's Tale

By William Shakespeare Ÿ Directed by Mary Machala

July 12-August 12, 2012 at park locations throughout King and Snohomish Counties

Jealousy and suspicion tear at the heart of King Leontes, a man who seems to have everything.  Accusing his wife of infidelity, his rash choices plunge himself and those he loves into a winter of despair and regret.  Yet true love can work miracles and forgiveness can heal deep wounds as an exiled princess and a wise woman orchestrate one of the most touching reunions in all of Shakespeare.

2012-2013 INDOOR SEASON

Antony and Cleopatra

By William Shakespeare Ÿ Directed by John Langs

Fall 2012 at Intiman Playhouse

The Roman General and the Egyptian Queen. Their romance gave birth to an empire, but their fiery longing came at a price. Caught between desire and duty, Antony and Cleopatra's love affair shook the foundations of the known world. Power politics and passion collide in Shakespeare's captivating tragedy. Director John Langs, who staged our 2010 production of Hamlet, returns to helm this legendary and tragic affair between two charismatic leaders.

Featuring Hans Altwies as Marc Antony and Amy Thone as Cleopatra 

A Doll's House

By Henrik Ibsen Ÿ Directed by Russ Banham

Winter 2013 at Center House Theatre

Darling Nora enjoys a comfortable life with her family and loves her husband Torvald above all else. So much so, that she's risked a small lie in order to save his reputation and protect their cozy existence. When the truth worms its way out with a threat of blackmail, Nora begins to question her devotion and finds herself forced into making a life-altering decision: honor her marriage or pursue her duty to herself.  

Featuring Jennifer Sue Johnson as Nora and Darragh Kennan as Torvald

Love's Labors Lost

By William Shakespeare

Spring 2013 at Center House Theatre

In this exuberant romantic comedy, youthful idealism gets derailed by love. The King of Navarre and his buddies have plans to immerse themselves in their studies swearing off less civilized pursuits – namely girls. After The Princess of France arrives with her ladies on a diplomatic mission, the young men's hearts melt along with their brainy resolve. Playful pranks, witty wordplay and moony wooing give way to more serious matters that reveal the cost of real love.

The Taming of the Shrew

By William Shakespeare Ÿ Directed by Aimée Bruneau

Spring 2013

An indoor revival of our popular Wooden O trailer park Shrew! Brought up in a rough and forgotten corner of backwoods America the tempestuous and sharp-tongued Kate bows down to no man. But then Petrucchio swaggers in to town with a plan to steal Kate's guarded heart. Through bickering and brawling, their comic courtship is a no-holds-barrEd Battle of the sexes that results in a love and understanding that neither one imagined.

Featuring Kelly Kitchens as Kate and David Quicksall as Petrucchio