THE COMEDY OF ERRORS at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre

PrintFor the past several years, the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre has created a condensed version of one of the Bard’s tales geared specifically for younger audiences.  This production tours the state as well as playing at the AST home on the UCA campus.

In this gleeful adaptation especially for young audiences, The Comedy of Errors offers double the fun as two sets of of long-lost twins cause chaos and comedy by ending up in the same place at thesame time.  Their grossly mistaken identities lead to trouble in love and with the law.  This hour-long production will be great fun for the family to enjoy together.

The cast for this comic romp includes: Adam Frank (Aegeon, a merchant from Syracuse looking for his sons; Dr. Pinch, a schoolmaster engaged as an exorcist);  Matthew Kyle Holcomb (Antipholus of Syracuse, traveler in search of his mother and his twin brother; Antipholus of Ephesus, a citizen of Ephesus);  Hannah Moulder (Luciana, Sister to Adriana; Lady Abbess Aemelia, head of a priory in Ephesus);  Jordy Neil (Dromio of Syracuse, servant to Antipholus of Syracuse; Dromio of Ephesus, servant to Antipholus of Ephesus) and  Jessica Dean Turner (Solinus, Duke of Ephesus; Adriana, Wife to Antipholus of Ephesus; Angelo, goldsmith in Ephesus).

Performances are at 2:30pm today, Thursday the 26th and Saturday the 28th.

450 Years of the Bard

SHakes450Today is the traditionally observed birthday of William Shakespeare. It is known he was born in 1564, which makes this the 450th birthday.

The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre earlier announced the lineup for the 2014 season.   The dates have now been announced.

Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare – June 5, 6, 7, 13, 15, 19, 21, 22
Enjoy a romantic evening under the stars with Shakespeare’s comedy of best friends divided by love, featuring wise-cracking servants and a playful pup.  This will be performed outdoors at the Hendrix Village in Conway and in North Little Rock.  One of Shakespeare’s early plays, it features romantic mixups, disguises, deception and a happy ending, all of which would become hallmarks of Shakespeare’s comedies.

Pippin featuring libretto by Robert O. Hirson and score by Stephen Schwartz – June 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 25, 27
Based loosely on the lives of Charlemagne and Pepin, it tells the story of a young prince named Pippin who undertakes a musical journey of self-discovery that celebrates the magic of theatre. The current Broadway production was the winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Revival.  This will be presented in the Reynolds Center on the UCA campus.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare – June 20, 21, 24, 26, 28
Perhaps Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, Prince Hamlet seeks to revenge his father’s death.  Directed by Robert Quinlan, who helmed the acclaimed 2012 production of Richard III, it will be presented in an intimate on-stage setting at the Reynolds Center.

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare – June 24, 26, 28
This will be the touring production in a pared down special adaptation of Shakespeare’s rip-roaring farce, perfect for kids of all ages.

 

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre will be presenting The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) June 4 through 29.

A parody of the plays of William Shakespeare, this comic romp features all of the Bard’s plays being performed in shortened, and side-splitting, form.

Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield (former founding members of the Reduced Shakespeare Company) and first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1987, The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) later played at the Criterion Theatre in London, where it ran for nine record-breaking years.

It has become one of the world’s most popular shows, playing frequently in a variety of languages, and is most notable for holding the (self- proclaimed) world record for the shortest- ever performance of Hamlet, clocking in at just 43 seconds.

You don’t have to be a fan of Shakespeare, or even familiar with his plays, to enjoy this inventive, fast-paced comedy!

a parody of the plays of William Shakespeare, with all of them being performed in shortened, and side- splitting, form.

Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield (former founding members of the Reduced Shakespeare Company) and first performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1987, The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) later played at the Criterion Theatre in London, where it ran for nine record-breaking years.

Rep Resident Director Nicole Capri

It has become one of the world’s most popular shows, playing frequently in a variety of languages, and is most notable for holding the (self- proclaimed) world record for the shortest- ever performance of Hamlet, clocking in at just 43 seconds.

You don’t have to be a fan of Shakespeare, or even familiar with his plays, to enjoy this inventive, fast-paced comedy!
– See more at: http://www.therep.org/attend/productions/CompleatWrksofWlmShkspr/#sthash.0dYAjSpc.dpuf

The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)
The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)
The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre 2014 Lineup

AST_logoLittle Rock native Rebekah Scallet, the artistic director of the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, has announced the lineup for the 2014 season.  In announcing the season, she has described the shows as being about people in search of their identity.

Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare
Enjoy a romantic evening under the stars with Shakespeare’s comedy of best friends divided by love, featuring wise-cracking servants and a playful pup.  This will be performed outdoors at the Hendrix Village in Conway and in North Little Rock.  One of Shakespeare’s early plays, it features romantic mixups, disguises, deception and a happy ending, all of which would become hallmarks of Shakespeare’s comedies.

Pippin featuring libretto by Robert O. Hirson and score by Stephen Schwarz
Based loosely on the lives of Charlemagne and Pepin, it tells the story of a young prince named Pippin who undertakes a musical journey of self-discovery that celebrates the magic of theatre. The current Broadway production was the winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Revival.  This will be presented in the Reynolds Center on the UCA campus.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Perhaps Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, Prince Hamlet seeks to revenge his father’s death.  Directed by Robert Quinlan, who helmed the acclaimed 2012 production of Richard III, it will be presented in an intimate on-stage setting.

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
This will be the touring production in a pared down special adaptation of Shakespeare’s rip-roaring farce, perfect for kids of all ages.

Specific dates and further details will be announced soon.