Mischief, Adventure, and Romance Run Rampant at Orlando Shakespeare Theater from January 26-March 20

Dec. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF presents three classic and beloved masterpieces – William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and the epic adventure Beowulf – in rotating repertory!

Magic, love, and laughter are on the loose in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s most popular comedy.  A mischievous fairy, Puck, leads two pairs of young lovers on a wild and merry chase through the woods outside of Athens. Throw in feuding fairies and a troupe of bumbling actors, and you’ve got a sparkling comedy with something for everyone! Directed by Orlando Shakes Resident Artist, David Lee, A Midsummer Night’s Dream begins previews on Wednesday, January 26, opens Friday, January 28 and runs through Saturday, March 19.  

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austin’s literary classic, comes to life vividly in Jon Jory’s fast-paced, engaging new adaptation. In a society where manners and pedigree mean everything, can independent Elizabeth and handsome Mr. Darcy look beyond their pride and prejudice to find their true and lasting love?  This famous romantic comedy, peppered with scintillating wit and vibrant characters, is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Directed by Thomas Ouellette, Pride and Prejudice begins previews on Wednesday, February 9, opens on Friday, February 11, and runs through Sunday, March 20. Both shows, running in repertory, will take place in the Margeson Theater.

The casts of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pride and Prejudice feature Claro Austria as Puck, Avery Clark as Lysander and Fitzwilliam Darcy, Michael Daly as Bottom the Weaver and Mr. Collins, Wynn Harmon as Oberon and Mr. Bennett, Anne Hering as Quince and Mrs. Bennett, Walter Kmiec as Demetrius and Charles Bingley, Courtney Moors as Helena and Jane Bennett, Sarah Ireland as Titania and Miss Bingley, Michele Vasquez as Hermia and Elizabeth Bennett and ensemble members Mason D. Criswell, Trent Fucci, Brooke M. Haney, Christopher Kiley, Robin Olson, Darryl Pickett, Kristin Shirilla, Kelli Rose Sleigh, Pascha Weaver, and Matt Wenge.

The shows’ design team includes costume coordinator Denise Warner, costume designer Jack Smith, lighting designer Eric Haugen, scenic designer Bob Phillips, and sound designer Matthew Given.

New to the 2010-2011 Season, Orlando Shakespeare Theater adds a third production to the Classic Rep in a searing one-man rendition of the Old English epic, Beowulf. Man and monster square off in an epic, bloody performance about a go-for-broke battle for supremacy. Adapted and performed by Charlie Bethel, Beowulf opens in the Mandell Theater on February 23 and runs through March 20, 2011.

Tickets are available by calling 407-447-1700 or online at www.orlandoshakes.org and in person at the box office located inside the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando’s Loch Haven Cultural Park. Box Office hours are 12pm to show time, Tuesday-Saturday, and one hour prior to show time on Sundays for walk up sales. On non-performance days, the Box Office closes at 5pm. The Box Office is closed on Mondays.

Website: Please visit http://www.orlandoshakes.org for recent press releases, more information about the cast, and upcoming special events.

Please contact Melissa Mason, Director of Marketing at 407-447-1700 ext 215 or melissam@orlandoshakes.org for further details or to arrange for individual interviews.

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About Orlando Shakespeare Theater:
With Shakespeare as its standard and inspiration, the Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF produces bold professional theater, develops new plays, and provides educational experiences to more than 25,000 K-12 students in Central Florida.