SNEAK PREVIEW STNJ 20008

Yes, he's still alive.
Sorry for the sporadic posts of late, but just hasn't been any time. Still working on the Daily Record's two-part Forecast business section. Good thing there haven't been any openings since early December (another reason for the lack of posts), since I've been working weekends as well.

That all changes this week. I'll be at the Growing Stage this weekend (while still in full deadline mode). Following week, I've got the Bickford ("Almost Maine") and Paper Mill ("The Miracle Worker").

But the big news of the moment is we got the release on the 2008 schedule at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. I'll post the whole shebang following my notes, but the highlight will likely be Bonnie Monte directing Laila Robins in "Streetcar." Too bad we're going to have to wait many months for that one--reminds me of when I have to buy concert tickets six months in advance, and you just can't wait one more day!

Also should be fun to see "Compleat Works of Wm. Shakespeare Abridged" on the outdoor stage. And, of course, it will be interesting to see who gets the few, but plumb, comic roles this comedy offers. I've got a few ideas (Greg Jackson, anyone? And we haven't seen David Foubert in a while--these guys are funny) but we'll lave it to the professionals.

A few others--"Comedy of Errors," "Romeo and Juliet," are somewhat overdone but typically crowd pleasers, and you have to put fannies in the seats.

Anyway, it's exciting news from what I call the state's most consistent source of top-rate professional theater.

PS: We read this morning in another Paper that Mark S. Hoebee was promoted from acting to permanent artistic director. Congrats to him and well-deserved, after keeping the ship from sinking for the past year. I probably overlooked him in consideration for my 2007 "Hardest Working Man in NJ Showbiz" award.

PPSS: I may have some career and blog future announcements coming soon--all good. Stay tuned.

Anyway, here's the release:

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
Announces an epic 2008 Season
Increased discounts for subscriptions and ticket packages also announced

Madison, NJ – The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey today announced seven of the eight productions of its 2008 Season, on the heels of closing its record-breaking 45th Anniversary Season which saw the addition of a 7th play on the Main Stage. “The 2007 season was extraordinary,” said Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte who begins her 18th Season in 2008. “In addition to each of our productions receiving tremendous critical acclaim, we saw an increase in attendance including our famed Outdoor Stage which broke all records with a more than 40 percent increase. Our 2008 Season promises to be an equally thrilling one, with an amazing line-up of masterpieces appealing to a broad many generations of theatergoers!”

The Shakespeare Theatre also announced today that the 2008 Season would feature increased discounts on subscriptions and ticket packages—offering subscribers substantial discounts of up to 45% off single ticket prices. “Our priority has always been to make our performances available to the broadest spectrum of audiences as possible. We believe, with these increased discounts, we have a subscription for everyone,” said Ms. Monte. With the new pricing, Complete Works subscriptions, which provide a ticket to each of the seven Main Stage productions of the 2008 season, begin at $105—a savings of more than $90 if tickets were purchased individually. As always, student Complete Works subscriptions are available for $70. In addition to the substantial discounts, subscriber benefits include free ticket exchanges and an exchange policy that even allows for last minute exchanges. “In 2008, we’re starting an exclusive Subscriber email address, so if a patron is stuck at work, or even stuck in traffic, they can instantly send us an email, or, of course, give us a call,” Ms. Monte explained.

Laughter kicks off the 2008 Season on April 29th with William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors. Two sets of identical twins, separated at birth, find themselves in the same city on the same fast-paced, bewildering day in Shakespeare’s riotous farce of wild misadventures and mistaken identities. The Comedy of Errors will run from April 29th through May 18th.

Beginning May 28th and continuing through June 22 will be Amadeus – Peter Shaffer’s thrilling tale of the young and brilliant Mozart and the fanatic malcontent Salieri who plots to ruin his career and smother his genius.

The summer season will also feature the entire Shakespeare canon “under the stars” at the Shakespeare Theatre’s Outdoor Stage – the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown. Beginning June 18th and running through July 20th, family audiences will roar with laughter at The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged). All of Shakespeare’s 37 plays are “performed” with lightning speed (sometimes backwards!) in this unique and wildly celebrated romp penned by the popular and zany Reduced Shakespeare Company.

One of Shakespeare’s greatest masterpieces—King Lear—takes the Main Stage July 2nd and continues through July 27th. This production will star renowned classic actor and Tony Award nominee Daniel Davis, known for his brilliant work on Broadway and at the nation’s most prestigious theatres, as well as for his witty and acerbic portrayal of Niles the butler on the television series The Nanny. Davis also starred in the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of La Cage aux Folles and The Frogs.

Noel Coward’s comedy Private Lives begins performances on August 6th and continues through August 31st. A divorced couple, each newly remarried, accidently find themselves in adjoining honeymoon hotel suites in this quick-witted “confection” by the modern master of comedies of manners.

Beginning the Fall portion of the season will be Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire running September 10th through October 5th. Seen for the first time at The Shakespeare Theatre under the artistic direction of Bonnie J. Monte, this American classic will feature Shakespeare Theatre and Broadway veteran Laila Robins as the legendary Blanche DuBois. Robins was last seen on the Shakespeare Theatre stage in highly acclaimed The Cherry Orchard. Her Broadway credits include The Heartbreak House, Frozen and The Real Thing.

The most famous of all love stories, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, will begin performances on October 15th and continue through November 16th. Seen on the Main Stage for the first time in a decade, this production will also feature special morning performances for students.

The 2008 Season will conclude with a yet to be announced production. Beginning performances on December 3rd and continuing through December 28th, the holiday offering promises to be in the same family-oriented tradition of past holiday productions such as A Midwinter Night’s Dream, As You Like It, and A Christmas Carol.

Advance orders for Complete Works subscriptions, featuring tickets to all seven Main Stage productions, are now being taken. Complete Works subscriptions range in price from $105 to $378. Student subscriptions are available for $70. Call The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office at 973-408-5600. The Complete Works subscription features up to 45% percent savings off the cost of regular tickets, the best seats to all seven Main Stage productions; free, easy and unlimited ticket exchanges should your schedule change; discounts on additional tickets; and the convenience of having your tickets in hand and dates scheduled in advance. Call the box office at 973-408-5600. Look for more information at 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 at the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown. The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre 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, captioned and sign-language interpreted. Contact the theatre for more information. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.