News From the Festival
Anything Goes Preview
Hancock
Rehearsal
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Directed by Brad Carroll
Key Characters:
**Reno Sweeney:**A sexy evangelist turned nightclub dancer, played by Melinda Parrett
Hope Harcourt: A beautiful debutante, played by Elizabeth Telford
Evangeline Harcourt: Hope’s mother, a widow, played by Mindy B. Young
Lord Evelyn Oakleigh: A wealthy Englishman, played by Aaron Galligan-Stierle
Elisha Whitney: A goggle-eyed tycoon, played by Joe Vincent
Billy Crocker: Whitney’s young assistant, played by Robert Adelman Hancock
Moonface Martin: A hapless gangster, Public Enemy #13, played by Max Robinson
Synopsis:
When this ship heads out to sea, convention heads out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love, with a little help from singing sailors, an exotic disguise, and good old-fashioned blackmail. Peppering this hilariously bumpy ride is a songbook of Cole Porter’s biggest hits, including “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “It’s De-lovely,” and, of course, “Anything Goes.”
You can learn more about Anything Goes at http://www.bard.org/plays/anything2013.html.
Anything Goes opens on June 26 and plays through August 30. You can purchase tickets online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.
Telford
Dance Rehearsal
New Production Manager Announced
After an extensive search and interview process, the Utah Shakespeare Festival recently announced the hiring of Tim Schroepfer as production manager.
“We had a great committee that spent months combing through applicants until we found the right candidate,” said Ben Hohman, interim production manager and properties director. “Tim Schroepfer was the right person with experience, determination, and an excitement about the Festival and its future.”
A California native, Schroepfer brings a wealth of knowledge and professional experience to the position. Prior to joining the Festival, Schroepfer was a production manager for the University of California, Los Angeles in the School of Theater, Film and Television, where he oversaw student and professional productions. Schroepfer also worked as a stage manager at Universal Studios Hollywood managing large stunt spectaculars. He has offered consultation on construction and equipping of new theaters and has served as a technical director for a midsize professional theater.
Mr. Schroepfer holds a BA in musical theatre from the University of the Pacific and an MFA in producing and production management from California Institute of the Arts.
Hohman continued, “We are looking forward to working with him to move the Festival forward with improvements in the production department leading to more exciting and dynamic productions, while being mindful of the Festival’s unique heritage and it’s commitment to classical theater.”
“The Utah Shakespeare Festival is one of the nation’s premier destination theater companies and with the announcement of the
Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts the company is poised for growth in the coming years,” said Schroepfer. “I am thrilled to join the team at this exciting time and look forward to getting to know the entire Festival family.”
The Tempest Preview
Pereyra
Parrett
Rehearsal, Pereyra, Burris, Woronicz
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by B.J. Jones
Part of the “Complete the Canon” Project
Key Characters:
Prospero: The rightful duke of Milan, Prospero has been exiled with his daughter, Miranda, on a magical island for twelve years. He is intelligent, has studied magic for many years, and has achieved a far-reaching power. Played by Henry Woronicz.
Miranda: The daughter of Prospero, Miranda was exiled with her father twelve years ago. Since that time she has seen no other human being and has now matured into a young woman. Played by Melisa Pereyra.
Antonio: The brother of Prospero, Antonio usurped his brother’s dukedom and set Prospero and Miranda adrift in a leaky boat. Played by Martin Kildare.
Alonso: The king of Naples and father of Ferdinand, Alonso plotted in the past with Antonio to take over Prospero’s dukedom, but is now struck with deep remorse. Played by Fredric Stone.
Ferdinand: The son of Alonso, Ferdinand is both pure himself and appreciative of the innocence and purity of Miranda. Played by Jeb Burris.
Caliban: A savage and deformed slave, Caliban is a creature of the earth but not honored with a human shape. Prospero tells us that Caliban’s father was the devil himself, and his mother was Sycorax, a wicked witch. Played by Corey Jones.
Ariel: An airy spirit, Ariel is not human, and yet is endowed with personality and intelligence. Played by Melinda Parrett.
Synopsis:
Teeming with fairies, monsters, shipwrecks, and magic, The Tempest is Shakespeare’s last and most mature romance. The deposed Duke Prospero and his lovely daughter, Miranda, are shipwrecked on a small island where nothing is quite as it seems. But as they separate fantasy from authenticity, they eventually discover a “brave new world” of love, harmony, and redemption.
You can learn more about The Tempest at http://www.bard.org/plays/tempest2013.html.
The Tempest opens on June 25 and plays through August 31. You can purchase tickets online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.
Woronicz
Stone
Rehearsal, Pereyra, Burris
Shakespeare Festival Film Series
Here’s a great way to get ready for the Festival’s Summer Season. During June, the Historic Cedar Theatre (downtown on Main Street) is presenting the Shakespeare Festival Film Series. Featured films will be Twelve Angry Men (the classic 1957 movie starring Henry Fonda), Peter Pan (the animated Disney version) and Robin Hood (the animated Disney version).
The films will show in repertory the first 3 weekends in June at 5pm each evening.
Here’s the schedule - all are shown at 5pm:
- Twelve Angry Men on June 1, 10 and 16
- Peter Pan on June 3, 9 and 15
- Robin Hood on June 2, 8 and 17
And the price is right! Each ticket is only $5 and with a punch card you can see all 3 movies for just $10.
See you there!
33 N. Main Street in Cedar City
Twelve Angry Men Preview
Steve Wojtas
Roderick Peeples
Written by Reginald Rose
Directed by David Ivers
Key Characters:
Foreman of the Jury: A small, petty man who is impressed with the authority he has and handles himself quite formally, played by Larry Bull.
Juror #2: A meek, hesitant man who finds it difficult to maintain any opinions of his own, played by Kipp Moorman.
Juror #3: A very strong, forceful and extremely opinionated man within whom can be detected a streak of sadism, played by Max Robinson.
Juror #4: A man of wealth and position, and a practiced speaker who presents himself well at all times, played by A. Bryan Humphry.
Juror #5: A frightened young man, played by Steve Wojtas.
Juror #6: An honest but dull-witted man who comes upon his decisions slowly and carefully, played by Michael Harding.
Juror #7: A loud, flashy, glad-handed salesman type who thinks he has more important things to do than to sit on a jury, played by James Newcomb.
Juror #8: A quiet, thoughtful, gentle man, played by Martin Kildare.
Juror #9: A mild, gentle old man, long since defeated by life, and now merely waiting to die, played by Fredric Stone.
Juror #10: An angry, bitter man who antagonizes almost at sight, played by Roderick Peeples.
Juror #11: A refugee from Europe, Juror #11 speaks with an accent and is ashamed, humble, almost subservient to the people around him, played by Joe Vincent.
Juror #12: A slick, bright advertising man who thinks of human beings in terms of percentages, graphs and polls, played by Christopher R. Ellis.
Synopsis:
On a sweltering August night in New York City, the jury files into the deliberation room. The door is locked behind them. Now twelve nameless men from twelve varied backgrounds must decide the fate of a young man accused of killing his father. Faced with playing the executioner, these dozen men must first face themselves, their biases, and their own sense of justice. This American classic will have you on the edge of your seat until the final verdict is announced.
You can read more about the characters and plot on our website at http://www.bard.org/plays/twelveangrymen2013.html
Twelve Angry Men opens in preview on June 24 and plays through August 31. You can purchase tickets online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.
Max Robinson
Martin Kildare
Meet Suzette Bulloch- Guest Blogger
In January, Pam Reddington retired after many years of service at SUU and the Festival. The Festival was fortunate to be able to hire Suzette Bulloch who had worked here in the 1990s.
Suzette, tell us about your prior experience at the Festival…
I was born and raised in Cedar. I have grown up in the shadow of the Festival. It was a great childhood experience, to be at the Greenshow. My friends and family were all involved.
I worked here in 1995 and 1996. I was in the Education Department, working for Gary Armagnac, before Michael Bahr. I was the office manager for Operations, Personnel and Education. I also served as the facilitator for the summer educational workshops. It’s so wonderful to see the growth. It’s great to get those kids when they’re young.
Having been a part of it then – it really did change my life. Being surrounded by these people who are so generous and their passion for their art and life in general. I told them in my interview – when they asked what theatrical production impacted me the most, I said I can’t really pinpoint anything, but the 2 years I spent here changed my life.
What will be your role this time?
I’m supporting Scott Phillips, Executive Director, David Ivers and Brian Vaughn, Artistic Directors and Fred Adams, Founder.
Why did you leave and what did you do during your “gap”?
My husband is in law enforcement and he got a job with Brian Head. That was why I needed to quit because we had to live in Brian Head and the commute was too much. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do – felt like I was breaking up with a boyfriend. So to be able to come back is wonderful. The Festival has never left me. Once it’s in your blood, it’s always there.
I worked at Smead Manufacturing, the Brian Head Resort as an admin assistant, payroll, accounting, sold tickets – variety of things. Then I was the town treasurer for Brian Head town. I worked in the assessor’s office for Iron County. Then I was the office manager for Parowan Dental.
I feel like all these experiences help me do a good job for the Festival. I am so blessed to be back. It’s such an exciting time with the new Center for the Arts and all the changes. I feel like I never left.
Welcome aboard Suzette!
King John Preview
Corey Jones
Melinda Pfundstein
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Robynn Rodriguez
First play in the Festival History Cycle
Part of the Complete-the-Canon Project
Key Characters:
King John, son of King Henry II and Elinor of Aquitaine, played by Corey Jones
Prince Henry: The son of King John, played by Zack Powell
Hubert de Burgh: A citizen of Angiers and later in the service of King John, played by Roderick Peeples
Philip the Bastard: A fictional character, the Bastard is the illegitimate son of Lady Faulconbridge and King Richard I, played by Steve Wojtas
Queen Elinor: The widow of King Henry II and the mother of the late King Richard I and of King John, Elinor supports John’s claim to the throne. Played by Jeanne Paulsen
Constance: The wife of Geoffrey, John’s older brother, and the mother of Arthur, she supports her son’s claim to the throne. Played by Melinda Pfundstein
Arthur, Duke of Britain: The son of Geoffrey and Constance, Arthur has a stronger claim to the throne than John, but is only a child. Played by Bailey Duncan.
Synopsis:
Beginning with struggles for power between kings, churches, and individuals, and continuing through war, revenge, and eventual murder, King John is one of Shakespeare’s most revealing history plays. Set during the period when the nobles were changing the face of English government and forcing the king to sign the Magna Carta, this intriguing and rarely-produced play is one you won’t want to miss.
You can read more about the characters and plot on our website at http://www.bard.org/plays/john2013.html
King John opens in preview on June 26 and plays through August 30. You can purchase tickets online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX.
Jeanne Paulsen
Bailey Duncan
Announcing 2014 Season
Henry IV, Part I, 2004, Pfundstein, Vaughn
The Utah Shakespeare Festival recently revealed its 2014 season, eight plays running from June 23 to October 18. Artistic Directors David Ivers and Brian Vaughn announced the season, which includes four plays ranging from Shakespeare classics to a Stephen Sondheim musical to a world premier adaptation of a beloved novel.
Tickets for the 2014 season go on sale June 24, 2013. They are available via the Festival website, www.bard.org, telephone, 800-PLAYTIX; or at the Ticket Offices at the Adams Shakespearean and Randall L. Jones theatres.
The Adams Shakespearean Theatre will feature three plays by William Shakespeare, playing from June 23 to August 30. First is the Festival’s continuation of its History Cycle with the third play in Shakespeare’s theatrical chronicle of England and its kings: Henry IV Part One. This follows the first two in the series produced in 2013: King John and Richard II. The History Cycle will continue chronologically through all ten plays in future years.
2003 Measure for Measure
Also in the Adams Theatre will be two more Shakespeare plays (Measure for Measure and The Comedy of Errors) which are part of the Festival’s ambitious Complete the Canon Project, an ongoing initiative to produce all of Shakespeare’s thirty-seven plays between 2012 and 2023.
2007 Twelfth Night
In the Randall L. Jones Theatre will be a new adaption of Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility, commissioned by and premiering at the Festival and written by Joseph Hanreddy and J. R. Sullivan, and Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant fairytale-inspired musical, Into the Woods. These two shows will run from June 23 to August 30.
In addition, the Randall Theatre will host a fourth Shakespeare play, also part of the Complete the Canon Project: Twelfth Night. One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, Twelfth Night will play throughout the Festival season, from June 23 to October 18. Rounding out the late end of the season will be playwright Steven Dietz’s Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, a mystery adventure about the world’s most popular detective, and Boeing-Boeing a high-flying farce by French playwright, Marc Camoletti. Both will play from September 20 to October 18.
“I think 2014 embodies the perfect balance of progressive programming for the Utah Shakespeare Festival,” said Artistic Director David Ivers. “Most importantly, by producing four of Shakespeare’s plays we further deepen our connection to our namesake playwright. I’m particularly excited that Twelfth Night will have such a long run in the Randall, allowing Shakespeare to be exposed to our loyal guests and new students across many regions.”
In Summary:
In the Adams Shakespearean Theatre, June 23 to August 30
• Henry IV Part One by William Shakespeare
• Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare
• The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
In the Randall L. Jones Theatre, June 23 to August 30
•Sense and Sensibility by Joseph Hanreddy and J. R. Sullivan
•Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim
In the Randall L. Jones Theatre, June 23 to October 18
• Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
In the Randall L. Jones Theatre, September 20 to October 18
• Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure by Steven Dietz
•Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camoletti
For Photos and Information
Visit: http://bard.org/news
Join us for the Company Meeting
The staff of the Utah Shakespeare Festival goes from 35 to nearly 300 in a matter of days. It takes a small village to produce a show, let alone 6 plus a Greenshow in only 6 short weeks. But as everyone gathers in Cedar City, the day we all look forward to is the official kickoff to the season, the opening company meeting.
A play wouldn’t be complete without its audience, so we want to invite all of you to join us on Wednesday, May 8th at 11am (MDT) to our live Twitter Welcome Meeting. Be a part of the “Ellis Island Day” commotion and enjoy the warm embrace of Fred Adams, Scott Phillips, David Ivers and Brian Vaughn.
We also have an exciting announcement regarding our 2014 season that you won’t want to miss!
Log on to your Twitter account and follow the Festival - @UtahShakespeare.
Use the designated hashtags to follow the live event…
#usf2013
#ellisislandday
#utahshakespeare
#usf2014
Our moderator will live tweet during the meeting with comments and photos.
Not sure how Twitter works? Check out this site for all your Twitter questions… https://support.twitter.com.
We look forward to you joining us!
Help the Guild Celebrate 50 Years of Service
50 years ago, Barbara Adams (wife of founder Fred C. Adams) and other Cedar City residents founded The Utah Shakespeare Guild, whose goal is to serve, support and promote the Festival. If you’ve ever attended a Curtain Call Luncheon or Christmas in July, you’ve seen this dedicated group of volunteers at work. Each year, they donate the proceeds of their hard work to the Festival. For 2012, they donated $19,000, and for 2013 they hope to raise even more.
To make that happen and to celebrate their 50th anniversary, they are sponsoring some special events to enhance your Festival experience.
First, there will be two “Showbiz Sundays Under the Stars.” In the garden of the lovely Iron Gate Inn, you can enjoy an intimate evening showcasing the vocal talents of Festival actors, sip wines from the IG Winery (or sparkling cider) and nibble on local artisan cheeses and chocolates. What a great way to spend a warm summer evening! Space is extremely limited, so be sure to buy your tickets soon for July 21 or August 25. The evening begins at 8pm. Tickets are $42 and are advance sale only.
Spelbring, Guter, Robinson, Jacoby at Curtain Call Lunch
Second is “Glimpse of the Past: A Variety Revue and Banquet.” On August 10, at 4:30 pm, you can enjoy a Silent Auction, a plated banquet dinner, and a variety revue with performers showing us the hit shows and songs from each decade of the Festival. The 4:30 time was selected so you can attend between the matinee and evening performance. Tickets (advance purchase only) are $55 individually or $400 for a table of eight. Venue is the Great Hall in the Hunter Conference Center, just west of the Adams theatre.
Curtain Call Luncheons continue this year. Each luncheon features four Festival actors in an interactive panel discussion about their roles, experiences at the Festival and beyond. Dates are July 5, 12, 19, 26 and August 2 at the SUU Alumni House. Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $20 at the door.
Christmas in July, an arts and craft faire will be July 26 and 27 on the lawn of the Randall L. Jones Theatre. It’s a great opportunity to get some Christmas gifts and avoid the December stress.
We hope you enhance your Festival experience by participating in these events. The money you pay helps the Guild with their mission and the proceeds will go back to the Festival. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bard.org or by calling 800-PLAYTIX. You can learn more about the Guild at http://www.bard.org/about/guild.html.