(Lenox, MA) – Shakespeare & Company announces its 2018 season casting. Under the direction of Artistic Director Allyn Burrows the Company’s Summer Season includes a roster of audience beloved artists, critically acclaimed actors, and a host of newcomers joining the Company. The season opens Memorial Day Weekend with Carey Crim’s New England Premiere of Morning After Grace, a comedic romance about second chances.
The season includes three Shakespeare plays: Macbeth, As You Like It, and Love’s Labor’s Lost; plus the New England Premiere of Morning After Grace by Carey Crim; Creditors by August Strindberg, adapted by David Greig; Heisenberg by Laurence Olivier Award winner Simon Stephens; Mothers and Sons by Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally; and HIR by Pulitzer Prize finalist Taylor Mac.
“We couldn’t be more inspired by our artist lineup for the 2018 Season,” said Artistic Director Allyn Burrows. “Exploring the themes of Delight, Deceit, and Desire with a company of familiar names and new faces, we’re eager to dive into a wide array of rousing and compelling material.”
2018 play titles, cast lists, press openings, and performance run dates for each production are as follows:
Morning After Grace (New England Premiere)
By Carey Crim
Directed by Regge Life
Cast: Steven Barkhimer (Angus), Corinna May (Abigail) and Kevin Vavasseur (Ollie)
May 24 – July 15
Press Opening: Sunday, May 27th, 3pm in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre
Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Melia Bensussen
Cast: Gregory Boover (Young Siward), Thomas Brazzle (Macduff), Jonathan Croy (Macbeth), Nigel Gore (Duncan / Porter), Deaon Griffin-Pressley (Malcolm), Zoë Laiz (Lady Macduff / Hecate), Ella Loudon (Banquo), Tod Randolph (Lady Macbeth) and Mark Zeisler (Ross)
July 3 – August 5
Press Opening: Saturday, July 7th, 7:30pm in the Tina Packer Playhouse
CreditorsBy August Strindberg
Adapted by David Greig
Directed by Nicole Ricciardi
Cast: Jonathan Epstein (Gustav), Ryan Winkles (Adolph), and Kristin Wold (Tekla)
July 19 – August 12
Press Opening: Sunday, July 22, at 3pm in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre
Love’s Labor’s LostBy William Shakespeare
Directed by Kelly Galvin
Cast: David Bertoldi (Don Armado), Caroline Calkins (Rosaline), Lori Evans (Holofernes), Rory Hammond (Princess of France), Caitlin Kraft (Boyet), Madeleine Maggio (Longaville/Jacquenetta), Rylan Morsbach (King of Navarre), Devante Owens (Dumaine), Bella Pelz (Moth), Thomas Reynolds (Costard) and Dara Silverman (Katharine)
July 10 – August 18
Press Opening: Thursday, July 12, 6pm at the Dell at the Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home
As You Like ItBy William Shakespeare
Directed by Allyn Burrows
Cast: Gregory Boover (Silvius / Amiens), Thomas Brazzle (Aubrey / Oliver), MaConnia Chesser (Touchstone), Aimee Doherty (Rosalind), Nigel Gore (Duke Frederick / Duke / Corin), Deaon Griffin-Pressley (Orlando), Zoë Laiz (Celia), Ella Loudon (Phoebe / LaBelle) and Mark Zeisler (Charles / Jaques)
August 9 – September 2
Press Opening: Sunday, August 12, 5pm in the Roman Garden Theatre
HeisenbergBy Simon Stephens
Directed by Tina Packer
Cast: Tamara Hickey (Georgie Burns) and Malcolm Ingram (Alex Priest)
August 11 – September 2
Press Opening: Friday, August 17, 8pm in the Tina Packer Playhouse
Mothers and SonsBy Terrence McNally
Directed by James Warwick
Cast: David Gow (Will Ogden), Annette Miller (Katharine Gerard), and Bill Mootos (Cal Porter)
August 16 – September 9
Press Opening: Sunday, August 19 at 3pm in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre
HIRBy Taylor Mac
Directed by Alice Reagan
Featuring Elizabeth Aspenlieder (Paige), Jack Doyle (Max), John Hadden (Arnold) and Adam Huff (Isaac)
September 13 – October 7
Press Opening: Saturday, September 15, 7:30pm in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre
The Roman Garden Theatre, inaugurated in 2017 for Shakespeare & Company’s production of The Tempest, will be re-configured for the production of As You Like It. Located adjacent to the Tina Packer Playhouse, the Roman Garden Theatre is an intimate outdoor performance space with comfortable bench and chair seating. All other performances take place in the Tina Packer Playhouse and the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, and at The Dell at the Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home. Additional details about Shakespeare & Company’s 2018 programming will be available at a later date.
Tickets
Tickets are now on sale, Shakespeare & Company will once again offer a 40% discount to full-time, year-round Berkshire County residents (excludes Saturday nights, opening nights and previews); this discount can be redeemed by calling or visiting the Box Office during posted hours. The Tina Packer Playhouse, Roman Garden Theatre and the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre are wheelchair accessible. For more information on our summer performance season, or our year-round programming, call the Box Office at (413) 637-3353 or visit www.shakespeare.org.
Gala
The 2018 Gala will be held Saturday, June 30. The evening will honor Trustee Michael A. Miller and his 25 years of dedication to Shakespeare & Company. The evening will include a festive cocktail reception followed by special performances from musicians of the Grammy Award-winning Silk Road Ensemble and Shakespeare & Company artists. After the performance, guests will be escorted to the tented courtyard for an elegant dinner, and a night of dancing with DJ BFG.
Photos
2018 Headshots
2018 Show Graphics
About Shakespeare & Company
Located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Shakespeare & Company is one of the largest Shakespeare Festivals in the country. Founded in 1978, the organization attracts over 30,000 patrons annually. The Company is also home to Shakespeare & Company’s internationally renowned Center for Actor Training and nationally renowned and award-winning Education Program. More information is available at www.shakespeare.org.
