On the heels of its critically acclaimed 2014 season, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival announces the lineup for its 58th year.
Two perennial Shakespeare favorites, Othello and the comedy Much Ado About Nothing, open in the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre in June.
Henry V and the fresh new comedy Wittenberg play on the indoor University Theatre stage, along with two exclusive “original practices” performances of the rarely produced Henry VI, Part 1.
Season tickets are on sale now at coloradoshakes.org or, 303-492-8008. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, in the University Club on the CU-Boulder campus.
The 2015 season features several notable milestones:
• The first outdoor production of Othello since 1996
• The first performances of Henry VI, Part 1, since 1967
• The completion, with Henry V, of the Henriad cycle begun in 2013
• The Colorado and regional premier of Wittenberg, a comedy by Colorado playwright David Davalos that has inspired rave reviews in New York and beyond
• Directing debuts for nationally known Shakespeare artists Jim Helsinger of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and Lisa Wolpe, founder of the Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Co. CSF 2015 season:
Much Ado About Nothing
June 5-Aug. 9. Romantic, raucous and razor-sharp, the Hamlet of Shakespeare comedies strikes hilarious chords even as it reveals timeless truths about love, change and acceptance. Directed by Jim Helsinger, artistic director, Orlando Shakespeare Festival.
Wittenberg by David Davalos
June 11-Aug. 8. To believe or not to believe? That is the question when Prince Hamlet, a dazed-and-confused senior at Wittenberg University, circa 1517, is caught in the crossfire between two giants of philosophy and ego, the freethinking skeptic Dr. Faustus and stuffy, guilt-ridden Martin Luther. Colorado premier. Directed by Timothy Orr.
Othello
Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, June 26-Aug. 8. In a country at war, Othello the Moor commands with authority and nobility of spirit, drawing strength from his bold and beautiful young wife, Desdemona. Passion, jealousy and murder explode in a sexy theatrical thriller that tumbles toward a diabolical finale in CSF’s first outdoor production of this great tragedy since 1996. Directed by Lisa Wolpe, founder and producing artistic director, Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Co.
Henry V
July 16-Aug. 9. England’s crown rests on the head of the once wild and undisciplined acolyte of Falstaff, Prince Hal, now a wise and noble monarch leading his country into war with France. With this production, CSF completes the four-play Henriad history cycle begun in 2013. Directed by Carolyn Howarth, director of CSF’s critically acclaimed 2014 production of Henry IV, Part 1.
Henry VI, Part 1
Aug. 2 and 5. Back by popular demand, CSF presents 2 exclusive, “original practices” shows of Henry VI, Part 1, the rarely produced saga of Henry V’s son. Last seen onstage at CSF in 1967, the play features one of Shakespeare’s most intriguing women, Joan of Arc. Both 2014 “OP” shows sold out, so buy your tickets early! Director TBA.