This year, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will celebrate their 50th Anniversary season. Founded in 1963 in Cape May by Paul Barry and Philip Dorian as the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, the company was invited to take up residence at Drew University in 1972. 2012 also marks the 40th Anniversary of the Theatre’s residency in Madison.
As she announced the new season, Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte said, “from the founding of “The New Jersey Shakespeare Festival” in Cape May, to the move to Drew University in 1972, to my first season in 1991, to the opening of the new F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in 1998, and now to our 50th Anniversary, our audiences have applauded, cheered, and supported this venerable institution every step of the way, and for that we are immensely proud and grateful.” The 2012 season marks Ms. Monte’s 22nd as artistic director of the Theatre.
The Shakespeare Theatre’s Main Stage season begins in late May and will continue through December. It begins with William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part One which has not been seen on The Shakespeare Theatre stage in two decades. Performances begin on May 30th and continue through June 24th.
Next will be a playfully wicked, new adaptation of Pierre Corneille’s French farce The Liar. The show chronicles the hijinks of six young Parisian lovers. It will run from July 4 – 29th.
The second show of the summer will be Shakespeare’s dark comedy Measure for Measure. This age-old tale of scandal, abuse of power and what happens when repression and profligacy get equally out of balance will begin performances on August 8th and continue through August 26th.
This year’s annual Outdoor Stage production at the Greek amphitheater at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morris Township will be Shakespeare’s raucous slapstick The Comedy of Errors. Look for this outdoor production from June 20th through July 29th.
Back on the Main Stage, the Fall portion of the season will begin with Dickens’ Oliver Twist. This play is a dynamic theatrical vision of Dickens’ classic which will run September 12th through October 7th.
The award-winning musical Man of La Mancha will be performed from October 17 through November 18. Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte will direct with Broadway veteran and longtime Shakespeare Theatre company member Robert Cuccioli in the iconic role of Don Quixote.
The season will close with the rarely-seen classic gem Trelawny of the Wells by Arthur Wing Pinero. Directed by Bonnie J. Monte, Trelawny of the Wells runs December 5th through December 30th.
A series of special events are also planned for the 2012 Season. Back by popular demand are Something Wicked This Way Comes, October 29 and Something Merry This Way Comes, December 10.
Lend Us Your Ears, the Theatre’s acclaimed play reading series, will return for the 2012 season beginning with David Blixt’s Eve of Ides. The reading will take place on the actual eve of the Ides of March, March 14 at 7 p.m. Additional readings will soon be announced.
Advance orders for full season Complete Works discount subscriptions are now available and include tickets to all Main Stage productions as well as the opportunity to add on the annual Outdoor Stage production at a significant discount. For information, or to purchase a subscription, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Main Stage, the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, is conveniently located in Madison at 36 Madison Avenue (Route 124) at Lancaster Road (on the Drew University campus), just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free. The Outdoor Stage is located on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown. The F.M. Kirby ShakespeareTheatre is barrier free with access into the Theatre via a ramp and elevator access to all floors. Wheelchair seating and transfer seating is available. Braille and large print programs are available. Infrared listening devices are available free of charge. Some performances are audio described. Contact the theatre for more information. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.
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