Media contact:

Rick Engler, 973-408-3807 or rengler@ShakespeareNJ.org

Andrew Murad , 973-408-3261 or amurad@ShakespeareNJ.org

MADISON, NJ — The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is seeking volunteers to assist with ushering, concessions, and the Theatre’s gift shop during the 2008 Season.  In return for each performance a volunteer works, they receive a ticket voucher good for one admission throughout the season.   Performances are held Tuesday through Sunday evenings and Saturday and Sunday matinees at The Theatre’s Main Stage – the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison.  Volunteers are also needed for the Theatre’s production on its Outdoor Stage – the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, running June 18 through July 20.  For a full schedule, more information, or to sign up to volunteer, contact Shiloh West at 973-408-3694 or swest@shakespearenj.org.   Information about The Shakespeare Theatre can be found online at www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre will hold a Volunteer Night on Monday, June 16 at 6:30 pm at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, in Madison.   Community members interested in volunteering are invited to attend this open house to learn more about The Shakespeare Theatre, volunteer opportunities, requirements, and to meet the professional management staff.  For more information, call 973-408-3694 or email swest@shakespearenj.org. 

The 2008 Main Season includes the Tony-award winning Amadeus by Peter Shaffer starring Broadway veteran Robert Cuccioli, running May 28 through June 22.  

Shakespeare’s King Lear runs July 2 through July 27.  Renowned actor Daniel Davis (from television’s The Nanny) brings the great anti-hero to life in this towering masterpiece where fools and madmen lead the blind.  

Noel Coward’s comedy Private Lives begins performances on August 6 and runs through August 31.  Coward’s deliciously witty expose 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.  

Tennessee William’s tour de force A Streetcar Named Desire running September 10 through October 5.  Williams’ magnificent play of sensuality and fragility, cruelty and broken souls, has given the world the immortal Blanche du Bois, played in this production by the dazzling star of Broadway and film, Laila Robins.

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet begins performances on October 15 and continues to November 16.   One of the most tragic and beautiful love stories ever penned – as wrenching a tale for old as it is for young – it has been nearly a decade since its brilliant characters and poetry illuminated The Shakespeare Theatre stage. 

The Main Stage season concludes with Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale running December 3 through December 28.   The first of Shakespeare’s great romances, The Winter’s Tale provides a perfect holiday finale, for it is a play that celebrates the triumph of love, nobility and all things good, and ends with the promise of rejuvenation, redemption, and hope.    

The Shakespeare Theatre will once again present Shakespeare under-the-stars at its Outdoor Stage – the Greek Theatre at the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station.     The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) will run June 18 through July 20.  A multitude of side-splitting Shakespeare “riffs” will leave audiences of all ages rolling in the aisles, functioning as cheering sections and tapping their toes in rhythm to the percussive “music” of iambic pentameter as three wild and crazy actors take us on a rollercoaster ride through the Bard’s canon.   

For more information about volunteering, contact Shiloh West at 973-408-3694 or swest@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 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

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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.  The 2008 Outdoor Stage production of The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) is sponsored by Bank of America.