CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: June – September, 2008

On the Main Stage:

AMADEUS

By Peter Shaffer

Directed by Joe Discher

May 28 through June 22, 2008

From the author of Equus , a thrilling tale of the young and brilliant Mozart and the fanatic malcontent Salieri who plots to ruin his career and smother his genius. Featuring Broadway veteran Robert Cuccioli as Salieri.

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison
(on the campus of Drew University)

Performances: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm; Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 7 pm; Saturday and Sundays at 2 pm. Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

Tickets : $29 to $53 – Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

Closing performance: Sunday, June 22 (2pm)

On the OUTDOOR STAGE:

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged)

By Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield

Directed by Jason King Jones

June 18 through July 20, 2008

“Be to not or be to,” exclaims Hamlet as he madly bounds through the state of Denmark backwards. This and a multitude of other side-splitting Shakespeare “riffs” will leave audience members of all ages rolling in the aisles and tapping their toes in rhythm to the percussive “music” of iambic pentameter as three wild and crazy actors take audiences on a rollercoaster ride through the Bard's canon.

Venue: The Outdoor Stage – the Greek Theatre, 2 Convent Road at Convent Station in Morris Township. On the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth.

Performances: Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:15 pm. Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

Tickets : $31 / $16 children 12 and under – Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

Previews: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, June 18, 19 and 20 at 8:15 pm

Opening Night: Saturday, June 21 (8:15 pm)

Symposium Performances: Tuesday, June 24; Saturday, June 28 (8:15 pm)

Know The Show: Thursday, June 26 (7 pm)

Closing performance: Sunday, July 20 (8:15 pm)

NOTE: ALL PERFORMANCES AT 8:15 PM EXCEPT JULY 4 TH AT 7:15 pm

Education Program:

Know the Show: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

Thursday, June 26, 7:00–7:30 pm

An insightful pre-performance talk by a Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey artist will provide fascinating background information and an expert's perspective on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).

Venue: The Outdoor Stage – the Greek Theatre, 2 Convent Road at Convent Station in Morris Township. On the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth .

Tickets: $5 general admission, $4 for Ticket Package holders. (Tickets to the 8:15 p.m. performance may be purchased separately.) Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

On the Main Stage:

KING LEAR

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Bonnie J. Monte

July 2 through July 27, 2008

Renowned actor Daniel Davis brings the great anti-hero to life in this epic tale where fools and madmen lead the blind.

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison
(on the campus of Drew University)

Performances: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm; Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 7 pm; Saturday and Sundays at 2 pm. Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

Tickets : $29 to $53 – Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

Previews: Wednesday July 2 (7:30 p.m.); Thursday, Friday, July 3 and July 4 (8 p.m.)

Opening Night: Saturday, July 5 (7 pm)

Symposium Performances: Tuesday, July 8 (7:30 pm); Saturday, July 12 (2pm)

Know the Show: Thursday, July 10 (7pm)

Closing performance: Sunday, July 27 (2pm)

Education Program:

Know the Show: King Lear

Thursday, July 5, 7:00–7:30 pm

An insightful pre-performance talk by a Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey artist will provide fascinating background information and an expert's perspective on King Lear.

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison (on the campus of Drew University )

Tickets: $5 general admission, $4 for Ticket Package holders. (Tickets to the 8:00 p.m. performance may be purchased separately.) Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Picnic Series

THE LEARNED LADIES

By Moliere

Saturday, July 12, 5:30 pm

Free Classics on the Lawn! Bring a picnic supper and a blanket or lawn chair, relax, and enjoy abridged classics performed outdoors by the Next Stage Ensemble . Presented on the lawn of the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, in the bucolic setting of the Drew University "forest." From the French master of classic comedy comes this lively, uproarious tale of three women enthralled with one very untalented poet. Alternately silly and razor-sharp, Molière's play sparkles with wit and intelligence as he defends young love against the pompous pretensions of the three “learned ladies,” obnoxious social climbers for whom knowledge is just another piece of haute couture .

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison (on the campus of Drew University )

Tickets: FREE. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. In the event of rain, the performance will be held in another venue on the Drew University campus.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Picnic Series

Richard II

By William Shakespeare

Saturday, August 2, 5:30 pm

Free Classics on the Lawn! Bring a picnic supper and a blanket or lawn chair, relax, and enjoy abridged classics performed outdoors by the Next Stage Ensemble . Presented on the lawn of the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, in the bucolic setting of the Drew University "forest." A poignant and poetic play about English history, Richard II contains some of Shakespeare's most impassioned descriptions of his homeland (“this earth, this realm, this England ”) but is also the deeply relevant tale of one man's inner struggle between his essential humanity and the absolute power of his office. Although rarely produced, Richard II perfectly demonstrates the Bard's ability to marry gripping political history to haunting, insightful poetry.

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison (on the campus of Drew University )

Tickets: FREE. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. In the event of rain, the performance will be held in another venue on the Drew University campus.

On the Main Stage:

PRIVATE LIVES

By Noël Coward

Directed by Paul Mullins

August 6 through 31, 2008

Noël Coward's deliciously witty exposé of “private lives” follows two couples from the shores of the French Riviera to a chic, Parisian pied-a-terre where the marital fireworks explode in a riotous display of verbal and physical comedy.

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison
(on the campus of Drew University)

Performances: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm; Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 7 pm; Saturday and Sundays at 2 pm. Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

Tickets : $29 to $53 – Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

Previews: Wednesday Aug. 6 (7:30 p.m.); Thursday, Friday, Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 (8 p.m.)

Opening Night: Saturday, August 9 (7 pm)

Symposium Performances: Tuesday, August 12 (7:30 pm); Saturday, August 16 (2pm)

Know the Show: Thursday, August 14 (7pm)

Closing performance: Sunday, August 31 (2pm)

Education Program:

Know the Show: PRIVATE LIVES

Thursday, August 14, 7:00–7:30 pm

An insightful pre-performance talk by a Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey artist will provide fascinating background information and an expert's perspective on Private Lives.

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison (on the campus of Drew University )

Tickets: $5 general admission, $4 for Ticket Package holders. (Tickets to the 8:00 p.m. performance may be purchased separately.) Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

On the Main Stage:

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

By Tennessee Williams

Directed by Bonnie J. Monte

September 10 through October 5, 2008

Williams' magnificent play of sensuality and fragility, cruelty and broken souls, has given the work the immortal Blanche Du Bois, played here by the dazzling Laila Robins.

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison
(on the campus of Drew University)

Performances: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm; Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 7 pm; Saturday and Sundays at 2 pm. Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

Tickets : $29 to $53 – Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

Previews: Wednesday Sept. 10 (7:30 p.m.); Thursday, Friday, Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 (8 p.m.)

Opening Night: Saturday, Sept. 13 (7 pm)

Symposium Performances: Tuesday, Sept. 16 (7:30 pm); Saturday, Sept. 20 (2pm)

Know the Show: Thursday, Sept. 18 (7pm)

Closing performance: Sunday, Oct. 5 (2pm)

Education Program:

Know the Show: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Thursday, Sept. 18, 7:00–7:30 pm

An insightful pre-performance talk by a Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey artist will provide fascinating background information and an expert's perspective on A Streetcar Named Desire.

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison (on the campus of Drew University )

Tickets: $5 general admission, $4 for Ticket Package holders. (Tickets to the 8:00 p.m. performance may be purchased separately.) Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

General Information:

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Bonnie J. Monte

MAIN STAGE: OUTDOOR STAGE:

F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre The Greek Theatre

36 Madison Ave. (at Lancaster Rd. ) 2 Convent Road (at Convent Station)

Madison , NJ Morris Township , NJ

(on the campus of Drew University ) (on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth )

TICKETS & INFO: Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

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The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey 's only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional major support is received from The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the F. M. Kirby Foundation, The Edward T. Cone Foundation, The Shubert Foundation and Drew University , as well as contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, government agencies and individuals. American Airlines is the official airline of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Crystal Rock Water is the company's official water provider. Barefoot Wine is the official wine provider. Rogue Ales and Spirits is the official beer and spirits provider.

Major funding for the spring 2008 Shakespeare LIVE! tour is provided by a generous grant from Kraft Foods. Shakespeare LIVE! is part of Shakespeare for a New Generation , a national theater initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest. An award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in cooperation with Arts Midwest enables Shakespeare LIVE! to also perform at economically disadvantaged schools in underserved rural, suburban and urban areas in the tri-state region as part of the Shakespeare in American Communities initiative . Additional funding for Shakespeare LIVE! is provided by Verizon, The Turrell Fund, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Pfizer, PSE&G, The Altschul Foundation, John & Margaret Post Foundation, Van Pelt Foundation, PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Ambrose and Ida Frederickson Foundation and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.