Shakespeare plays
2010 Performance Season

The Plays

Welcome Letter

Dear Friends,

Renewal and tradition: you might say these seemingly divergent things are what Shakespeare & Company is all about.

It is with great humility as well as unbridled excitement that I launch my first season as Shakespeare & Company's Artistic Director, taking over the reins from the indomitable Tina Packer. She began her mission 33 years ago, along with a merry band of theatrical revolutionaries that I was very pleased to be a part of. Our quest has been to bring the transformative power of theatre alive for our audiences through Shakespeare's plays as well as ground-breaking new works. My mission is to build upon this priceless legacy while helping to bring us to exciting new places.

In spite of the economic downturn, last season we broke all our attendance records. This is a tribute to the dedication of our patrons and supporters as much as a reflection of our ambitious season, in which we really did do more with less. On behalf of Tina, our Managing Director Nicholas J. Puma, Jr., and our Board Chairman Richard Mescon, we say resoundingly: Thank you!

After working with award-winning actor John Douglas Thompson on our hit production of Othello, I am thrilled to collaborate again and explore Richard III with him this summer in Founders' Theatre. The mainstage will also be lit up by Shakespeare's mysterious and enchanting The Winter's Tale, as well as the world premiere of The Taster, a brand new play we commissioned from our dear friend Joan Ackermann. And we are quite thrilled to see Tina present the U.S. premiere of her newly completed Women of Will, the very special project she's been developing, in a sense, for her whole artistic life.

The Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, in its second full season, plays host to the ever-popular Lunchbox Shakespeare, featuring the young actors in our Performance Intern Program. The Bernstein will also showcase the work of some of the finest contemporary playwrights around, including a world premiere of Mengelberg and Mahler and a special revival of the smash hit Bad Dates from our 2009 winter season. Our hugely successful Bankside Festival continues with fun family events all summer long. And popular programming from last year like Tuesday Talks and Behind the Scenes Tours return alongside new programs and events that are sure to please. I am also very happy to welcome our new Executive Chef, who has taken our food service to a whole new level.

We're continuing to build on the success of recent years and extend our season with exciting Fall, Holiday Season and Winter productions--so be sure to check out our Fall & Winter Season brochure, available this summer. In many ways it has been a long and busy winter, but one filled with inspiration, growth, light and hope. We're thrilled you can join us this season, and help us greet the glorious summer!


Tony Simotes
Artistic Director