Folger Shakespeare Library to Host Preview Screening of STILL DREAMING Documentary, 5/19

The Folger Shakespeare Library hosts a preview screening of the inspiring new documentary Still Dreaming from the filmmakers who brought us Shakespeare Behind Bars (Philomath Films) and featuring the co-directors of New York's highly-acclaimed Fiasco Theater (currently on stage at the Folger with The Two Gentlemen of Verona through May 25). The advanced screening will take place on Monday, May 19 at 7:00pm at the Folger Theatre.

Still Dreaming documents a unique take on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, as performed by a group of retired actors, dancers and musicians at the Lillian Booth Actors Home just outside New York City. These former Broadway stars embark on a journey through the magical play at the urging of the Home's administrators, who see this as an opportunity to boost quality of life for the residents. As the rehearsal process unfolds, the actors find themselves experiencing both the pain and exhilaration of re-immersion in their life's work amidst the vagaries of old age.

At the same time, the troupe's young co-directors, Ben Steinfeld and Noah Brody of New York's celebrated Fiasco Theater, struggle to maintain forward momentum with this over-80 acting ensemble. Alzheimer's, dementia, and even minor issues such as sight and hearing loss create constant crises and obstacles for all involved. As the troupe pushes forward, the play's themes of perception, reality versus dreaming, and memory become relevant in sharp relief. Ultimately, the performance of the play turns out to be surprising, mysterious and resonant, as the elders reawaken their spirits and even some of their forgotten dreams.

The screening will be followed by a talk back with the film's creators. The documentary has a running time of 93 minutes.

Fiasco Theater is an ensemble theater company created by graduates of the Brown University/Trinity Rep M.F.A. acting program. Past shows include Cymbeline, Twelfth Night, and Into the Woods. Cymbeline was presented Off-Broadway twice, for nearly 200 performances, and was honored with the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for best revival of 2011/2012. In February 2014, they presented a production of Measure for Measure in association with the New Victory Theater and opened the critically acclaimed The Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Folger Theater in April.

Hank Rogerson and Jilann Spitzmiller (Producers/Directors/Editors) of Philomath Films are part of the new wave of documentary storytellers that has captured the global movie-watching audience with unforgettable real characters and deeply compelling true stories. Their last film, Shakespeare Behind Bars, premiered in competition at the Sundance Film Festival, and went on to win 11 festival awards in the US alone. The film was broadcast on PBS, Sundance Channel, Starz/Encore and the prestigious BBC Storyville series. The film also had a highly critically acclaimed theatrical release and was picked up by the notable pop culture DVD distributor, Shout!Factory.

Folger Shakespeare Library is a renowned center for scholarship, learning, culture, and the arts. Home to the world's largest Shakespeare collection and a primary repository for research material from the early modern period (1500-1750), Folger Shakespeare Library is an internationally recognized research library offering advanced scholarly programs in the humanities; a national leader in how Shakespeare is taught in grades K-12; and an award-winning producer of cultural and arts programs-theater, music, poetry, exhibits, lectures, and family programs. A gift to the American people from industrialist Henry Clay Folger, Folger Shakespeare Library-located one block east of the U.S. Capitol - opened in 1932 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more at www.folger.edu.

Tickets are $20 and $15 for Members. They are available at the Folger box office (202.544.7077) or online at www.folger.edu/.

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