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| Mary Stuart A Dramatic Portrait |
| Written by Sean French | |
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Free Tickets to this weekend's show!  Austin Shakespeare first in the Southwest to Stage New Adaptation of Mary Stuart, A Dramatic Portrait of Royal Rivalry Between Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth of England...AUSTIN, Texas—Now in its 25th anniversary season, Austin Shakespeare is proud to be the first theater in the Southwest to be awarded the rights to produce the new suspenseful adaptation of Mary Stuart by British poet/playwright Peter Oswald, which was recently nominated for 7 “Tony” Awards for the Broadway production. Austin Shakespeare will transform the Long Center for the Performing Arts Rollins Theater into a run-way with audience on two sides designed for a modern day take on the Elizabethan era as they perform one of history’s illustrious high stakes Tudors story love triangle opening Valentine’s Day weekend. To enter to win a pair of tickets to this weekend's show, please send an email to
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and enter "Mary Stuart" into the subject line. Good luck from austin.com and Wyatt Brands.
“This new version brings the clash between these charismatic women to life on the stage with language that is true to Schiller's emotional romantic play,” said Ann Ciccolella, artistic director of Austin Shakespeare. “The masterwork drives to reach a confrontation scene that never took place in history.” The play is based on the story of Mary Stuart, the passionate and beautiful Queen of Scotland, and how she struggles to gain freedom from her rival cousin, Elizabeth, the powerful Queen of England. Each woman works through the same man as lover and protector, but it is only through their own actions that one transforms to gain authentic nobility. Peter Oswald's new, energetic adaptation draws striking parallels to contemporary society. Similar to the real-life Tudors story, historically Mary’s character has quite a resume. She murders her husband, marries his murderer, gets thrown out by the Scots as their Queen and engages in several murderous plots. Schiller brilliantly condensed her story to begin in the days before Mary’s beheading. Helen Merino returns as a Guest Artist to play “Mary Stuart” after three years acting in New York. Merino last performed with Austin Shakespeare in the title role as a female Hamlet and performed in ZACH Theatre’s smash hit one woman show, Bad Dates. THE MARY STUART CAST Helen Merino, as “Mary Stuart”, Queen of Scotland Pamela Christian, as “Queen Elizabeth” of England Karen Jambon as “Hannah Kennedy” Lady-in-waiting and life- long nurse to Mary Scott Daigle as “Dudley, Earl of Leicester,” favorite of Elizabeth and secretly in love with Mary Tom Green as “William Davison,” recently appointed as Elizabeth’s State Secretary David Boss, as “Melville,” long in the service of Mary as her Chief Steward Nathaniel Lahay as “O’Kelly,” rebel and friend of Mortimer Thomas Stephan as “Amias Paulet: the English Nobleman who is entrusted to confine Mary at Fotheringhay Castle Sean Martin as “Mortimer,” the young knight recently entrusted with spying Ian Scott as “Burleigh,” Lord Treasurer of England, consul to Elizabeth Aaron Black as “Aubespine,” special Ambassador from France ABOUT AUSTIN SHAKESPEARE Now in its 25th Anniversary Season, Austin Shakespeare (formerly Austin Shakespeare Festival) presents professional theater of the highest quality with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare to Central Texas. Bringing to the public performances that are fresh, bold, imaginative, thought- provoking, and eminently accessible, Austin Shakespeare connects the truths of the past with the challenges and possibilities of today. Founded in 1984, Austin Shakespeare offers fall and spring sessions of "Shakespeare Studio," the organization’s professional actor training courses. In addition, actors, teachers, parents and students are welcome at the "Shakespeare Aloud" year-round weekly reading group. Austin Shakespeare also offers summer camps for high school students at St. Edward's University, and camps for children at Scottish Rite Children's Theatre, downtown. CREATIVE TEAM Director – Ann Ciccolella Scenic Designer – Aaron Bell Lighting Designer – Jason Amato. Costume Designer – Jennifer Madison Props Designer – Jade White Ongoing Events WHO: Austin Shakespeare WHAT: Shakespeare Aloud: A Shakespeare Reading Group WHEN: Every Sunday from 5 – 7 p.m. WHERE: 701 Tillery Street, Ste. A-8 COST: $5 WEB: www.austinshakespeare.com or follow Austin Shakespeare on Twitter: @austinshakes At "Shakespeare Aloud" we read the entire play aloud (approximately an act each week) and stop often to talk about the images, the characters, the story or whatever we find interesting. Our diverse backgrounds make for lively discussion as we mine each scene for all its gold. This is a cold reading, no preparation is expected. Please bring your own copy of the play. For more details on the group and how it works, please see our FAQ in our Forum page. ANN CICCOLELLA, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ciccolella joined Austin Shakespeare as Artistic Director in August 2007, following an eight-year tenure at Austin’s ZACH Theatre as managing director and executive at Austin Circle of Theaters for nine years. A long-standing arts enthusiast, Ciccolella led the Renaissance Theater Company for ten years, producing and directing Off Broadway. Before moving to Austin, Ann served as associate director for “Shakespeare On Wheels,” from the University of Maryland Baltimore Country. Last year, Ann received a "Distinguished Service Award" from the City Council for her advocacy in building the creative community of Austin. Austin Shakespeare is a member of the Austin Circle of Theatres, and is funded in part by the City of Austin through The Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts. |
