We set up the Shakespeare & Company Facebook Page to keep in touch with our audiences throughout the year. We’re thrilled that many of you have been using it to tell us what you thought about our productions. We love hearing from audience members, because you’re the reason we do theatre—not the critics or scholars, but people like you who love Shakespeare & Company. Here are a few of our favorites:
“I brought my 83-year-old grandmother to The Winter’s Tale for a matinee, her first Shakespeare play. She was dazzled, as was my 8-year-old. It was the Company in top form — experienced actors even in middle-sized roles, funny, rich, powerful; What a fabulous afternoon.” —Joseph E.
“Saw The Comedy of Errors, The Amorous Quarrel, and Richard III on Friday. A revelry of language, and veritable feast for ears, eyes, and soul. Laughed, cried; lived, died; learned, yearned; wondered, pondered…Thanks and thanks and ever thanks! See you in August!” —Patti E.
“Wonderful, intense, fascinating production of Richard III. I thought the women’s roles were especially well done. My 9-year-old granddaughter sat through it all.” —Steffi S.
Visit us on Facebook to read more and post your own reviews »
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This morning’s Wall Street Journal featured a triple-review of The Taster, Richard III and The Winter’s Tale. Here’s what they had to say:
‘The Taster’…is a winner, a serious comedy that is both witty and unselfconsciously poetic.
Shakespeare & Company is putting on … two mainstage Shakespeare productions that are as good as anything you’ll see anywhere. That’s no surprise—I’ve long thought Shakespeare & Company to be this country’s most satisfying summer theater festival—but ‘Richard III’ and ‘The Winter’s Tale’ are exceptional even by the company’s own high standards.
Read the whole review at WSJ.com »
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In Joan Ackermann’s The Taster, Henry’s career and marriage are in ruins, and his opera-singing wife Claudia wonders why he spends his days translating an obscure play about a boorish King and his beloved food taster. But sometimes a dusty play can speak to us from the past and provide the sustenance we need. Characters pass between the present day and medieval times, weaving a richly layered tapestry of theatre. Henry finds the nourishment he craves in the simple wisdom of a man gifted not only in the art of tasting, but of selfless service to others.
The World Premiere production is directed by Tina Packer and features Rocco Sisto, Maureen O’Flynn, Tom O’Keefe, and Robert Biggs. Scenic design by Yoshi Tanokura, costumes by Govane Lohbauer, lighting design by Christopher Thielking, with music by Scott Killian. In Founders’ Theatre through September 4. Check out the video:
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{Lenox, Mass}—On the strength of a widespread showing of support from the community, Shakespeare & Company has just received an $800,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation. The funds were released after the Company raised an additional $1.5 million bringing its $10 million Capital Campaign, launched at its 30th Anniversary Gala in May 2007, to a successful conclusion. The centerpiece of the Campaign has been the creation of the Bernstein Center for the Performing Arts, a production center including state of the art rehearsal studios, new scene and property shops, and the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre.
The push to meet the Kresge challenge was embraced by the patrons of the Company’s record-breaking 2009-2010 season, who rose to the occasion to make gifts both large and small. The Kresge challenge provoked unprecedented financial support from first-time donors: over 900 individuals contributed to the effort, including 400 first-time donors to S&Co.
“Our friends in the community stood by us when we needed them most. On behalf of Shakespeare & Company’s trustees, overseers, and staff, I want to thank everyone who pitched in and gave us their support, allowing us to reach this milestone. Our relationship, as an organization, with generations of students, students of acting, and lovers of theatre is truly a remarkable one. S&Co.’s mission at its core is a community endeavor, and that is borne out by the support that enabled us to receive this Kresge challenge grant. We couldn’t have done this without the strong leadership and tireless efforts of long-time trustees and Campaign Co-Chairs, Michael A. Miller and Dorothy Weber,” said Richard A. Mescon, chairman of S&Co.’s board of trustees. Continue reading ‘Shakespeare & Company receives Kresge Foundation $800,000 Challenge Grant’
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The Taster director Tina Packer and actors Rocco Sisto and Maureen O’Flynn showed up at Tanglewood for a visit with WAMC’s The Roundtable yesterday to discuss the play. They discussed the genesis of the play, the challenges of the text and the sublime Basque music and Maureen’s singing.
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Tonight, Joan Ackermann’s The Taster enters previews. This world premiere is directed by Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer and featuring OBIE Award winner Rocco Sisto and famed soprano Maureen O’Flynn (in roles written specially for them) alongside Tom O’Keefe and Robert Biggs.
Check out the photos from the production, and buy tickets now. Scenic design by Yoshi Tanokura, costume design by Govane Lohbauer, lighting design by Christopher Thielking. Photos by Kevin Sprague.
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The Winter’s Tale is Shakespeare’s magical story of love, forgiveness, and the ties that bind, now on stage in Founders’ Theatre in a production directed by Kevin G. Coleman and featuring Jonathan Esptein and Elizabeth Aspenlieder alongside seasoned Shakespeare & Company actors including Corinna May, Johnny Lee Davenport, Jason Asprey, Malcolm Ingram, Ryan Winkles, Josh Aaron McCabe and many more.
Check out the photos from the production, which takes us from the kingdom of Sicilia to Bohemia and spans sixteen years. Set design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Les Dickert, costumes by Kara D. Midlam.
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