Tidbits from here and there
Stratford Festival's 2004 season announced
STRATFORD, ONT – Six Shakespeare plays, along with seven other productions, will be mounted at the Stratford Festival of Canada in 2004 as Artistic Director Richard Monette moves toward his goal of producing all the plays Shakespeare ever wrote.
"It has been my ambition to produce every play of Shakespeare during my time as artistic director at the Stratford Festival, and this season moves me very close to that goal," said Mr. Monette, who believes Festival enthusiasts as well as new playgoers deserve the opportunity to see the full range of works written by the world's greatest playwright.
In addition to "Macbeth" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which have been produced in other seasons of Mr. Monette's tenure since 1994, the Festival will mount four Shakespeare plays not seen in many years at Stratford: "Henry VIII," "Timon of Athens," "King John" and "Cymbeline."
There will also be two musicals: "Guys and Dolls" and "Anything Goes."
At the Avon Theatre, the Festival will also present the farce "Noises Off" and "The Count of Monte Cristo," a swashbuckling stage adaptation of Alexandre Dumas's novel.
Complete information about the Stratford Festival's upcoming season can be obtained by calling 1-800-567-1600 or online at www.stratfordfestival.ca.
Purple Rose Theatre announces weekend actor boot camp
CHELSEA – The Purple Rose Theatre Company announces a weekend Actor Boot Camp workshop that caters to working adults at all levels of acting experience and expertise who would like to be introduced to the acting technique employed at the Purple Rose. Past participants describe the workshop as "life-changing" and "cathartic."
The workshop runs on Friday, Oct. 31 from 7:00 – 11:00 PM, Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The fee is $175, which includes lunch on Saturday.
The Boot Camp, taught by PRTC Artistic Director Guy Sanville and other PRTC guest artists, encompasses monologue and scene work as well as movement, voice and acting techniques. Sanville will also offer his expertise on the business side of the theatre and show business. Due to popular demand, this workshop is the first in a series of three Boot Camp workshops that will be held through the summer of 2004.
The workshop will be held at the Purple Rose Theatre Company's rehearsal space at 400 North Congdon Street in Chelsea.
People interested in signing up for the class may call 734-433-PRTC (7782) or visit www.purplerosetheatre.org to register.
Make an appointment with 'Dr. Sex' at Chicago's Bailiwick Theatre
CHICAGO, IL – Chicago's Bailiwick Repertory is in the final days of the opening production of its 22nd season, "Dr. Sex," an exuberant musical that celebrates the life and work of Dr. Alfred C. Kinsey by Larry Bortniker and Sally Deering. A jaunty and melodic look at the man whose pioneering work changed our sexual landscape, "Dr. Sex" will be perhaps the cleanest show about sex in the history of American musicals.
The show runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3:30 p.m., through November 1. Tickets are $25 on Thursday and Sunday, and $30 on Friday and Saturday.
"Dr. Sex" begins with a musical lecture in which Kinsey presents the results of the Kinsey report, which were published in 1948, and chronicled the range of human sexual activities. He continues his lecture by telling us his own life story – we meet his conservative parents, and see his days as a zoology professor specializing in the American gall wasp. When he dares to publicize the secrets of the bedroom, he becomes one of the most famous and infamous characters in the annals of American history.
Jamie Axtell stars as Alfred C. Kinsey, with featured players Sarah Laue as Mrs. Kinsey, and Joshua Campbell as his lab assistant Wally. Ensemble members include Steve Best, Julie Burt, Molly Faithe, Kate Garassino, Dustin Hamilton, and Sean Reid.
For tickets or more information, call 773-883-1090. Tickets may also be purchased at www.bailiwick.org.
