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Colorado Shakespeare Festival announces 2015 lineup; season tickets on sale Nov. 3

COLORADO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL RELEASE

On the heels of its critically acclaimed, record-breaking 2014 season, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival has announced the lineup for its 58th annual year. 

Two perennial Shakespeare favorites, Othello and the beloved comedy Much Ado About Nothing, will open in the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre in June. (See descriptions below.)

Henry V and the fresh new comedy Wittenberg will play on the indoor University Theatre stage, along with two exclusive “original practices” performances of the rarely produced Henry VI, Part 1. (See descriptions below.)

Season tickets will go on sale on Nov. 3 at coloradoshakes.org and the CU Presents box office, 303-492-8008. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located in the University Club on the CU-Boulder campus.

The 2015 season will feature several notable milestones:

  • The first outdoor production of Othello since 1996
  • The first performances of Henry VI, Part 1, since 1967
  • The completion, with Henry V, of the Henriad cycle begun in 2013
  • The Colorado and regional premier of Wittenberg, a comedy by Colorado playwright David Davalos that has inspired rave reviews in New York and beyond
  • Directing debuts for nationally known Shakespeare artists Jim Helsinger of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and Lisa Wolpe, founder of the Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Co.

If you would like to speak to CSF Producing Artistic Director Timothy Orr, the directors or anyone else in the company, please contact Clay Evans, clay.evans@colorado.edu.

CSF 2015 season

Click here for photos of the 2014 season

Much Ado About Nothing

Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, June 5-Aug. 9

I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.

Romantic, raucous and razor-sharp, the Hamlet of Shakespeare comedies strikes hilarious chords even as it reveals timeless truths about love, change and acceptance. The men have returned victorious from war, but the merry sparring—and sparks—between Benedick the stubborn bachelor and witty, self-assured Beatrice have just begun.

Directed by Jim Helsinger, artistic director, Orlando Shakespeare Festival.

Wittenberg by David Davalos

University Theatre, June 11-Aug. 8

“Hilarity, thy name is Wittenberg.” — The New York Times

To believe or not to believe? That is the question when Prince Hamlet, a dazed-and-confused senior at Wittenberg University, circa 1517, is caught in the crossfire between two giants of philosophy — and ego — the freethinking skeptic Dr. Faustus and stuffy, guilt-ridden Martin Luther. Punny, funny, brainy and zany, David Davalos’ ingenious mashup is equal parts Tom Stoppard, campus caper and metaphysical mind-trip. Colorado premier.

Directed by Timothy Orr.

Othello

Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, June 26-Aug. 8

So will I turn her virtue into pitch and out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all.

In a country at war, Othello the Moor commands with authority and nobility of spirit, drawing strength from his bold and beautiful young wife, Desdemona. But he has placed his trust in one of Shakespeare’s most sinister villains, Iago, who would sow seeds of doubt and destruction in the garden of their love. Passion, jealousy and murder explode in a sexy theatrical thriller that tumbles toward a diabolical finale in CSF’s first outdoor production of this great tragedy since 1996.

Directed by Lisa Wolpe, founder and producing artistic director, Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Co.

Henry V

University Theatre, July 16-Aug. 9

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.

England’s crown rests on the head of the once wild and undisciplined acolyte of Falstaff, Prince Hal, now a wise and noble monarch leading his country into war with France. Rousing and cinematic in scope, Henry V raises compelling questions about leadership in a troubled world that powerfully echoes our own. With this production, CSF completes the four-play Henriad history cycle begun in 2013. 

Directed by Carolyn Howarth, director of CSF’s critically acclaimed 2014 production of Henry IV, Part 1.

Henry VI, Part 1 (original practices production)

University Theatre, Aug. 2 and 5

“The audience rose in a thunderous ovation, proving the experiment with original practices (a) success.”

  • Joseph F. Stephenson, Abilene Christian University, on 2014’s Henry IV, Part 2

Back by popular demand, CSF presents two exclusive, “original practices” shows of Henry VI, Part 1, the rarely produced saga of Henry V’s son. Last seen onstage at CSF in 1967, the play features one of Shakespeare’s most intriguing women, Joan of Arc. Both 2014 “OP” shows sold out, so buy your tickets early!

Director TBA.

 

CU Presents offers the best in performing arts on the University of Colorado Boulder

campus, including the Artist Series, the College of Music, the Colorado Shakespeare

Festival, CU Opera, the Holiday Festival, the Takács Quartet Chamber and Encore

Series, and CU Theatre & Dance.