Westford Native Designs for CRT’s 'Shakespeare in Love'

STORRS. Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) continues its 2019-20 season with Tom Stoppard’s Shakespeare in Love, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall and Marc Norman. Vincent Tycer directs. Performances will be held in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre from November 21st through November 23rd, and December 4th through December 8th, 2019. For tickets and information please visit crt.uconn.edu or call (860) 486-2113.

The Academy Award-winning film is now a hit play! A young, pre-fame Will Shakespeare is struggling with writer’s block, with the deadline for his next play approaching all too quickly. Sparks fly when he meets Viola, a merchant’s daughter with secret theatrical ambitions of her own. Their forbidden love affair just might give Will the inspiration he needs to write a masterpiece. Shakespeare in Love is an epic, Elizabethan extravaganza filled with mistaken identities, backstage chaos and the power of love – and theatre.

Morgan Shea is a New England-based scenic designer hailing from Westford, Massachusetts. Shakespeare in Love is her final design as an undergraduate student before receiving her BFA from UConn this December. In addition to designing Good Children last season, CRT credits also include assistantships for Cabaret, Mamma Mia!, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, As You Like It, and The Importance of Being Earnest.

Shea states, “I remember watching the movie for the first time and being absolutely captivated by the power of language, of love, and the absolute magic of storytelling which we now have the great pleasure of giving to you, the audience. My design is very suggestive of an Elizabethan theater, but becomes so much more. This play will take you from the desk of Will, to a duel or two, and there's even a bit with a dog. What more could you ask for!?”

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

The creative team includes: Vincent Tycer (Director), Chris Coffey (Music Director), Morgan Shea (Scenic Design), Samuel Biondolillo (Lighting Design), Brittny Mahan (Costume Design), Katie Salerno (Sound Design), and Nicole Weigert (Stage Manager).

The cast includes: Anthony Cochrane* (Henslowe), Guiesseppe Jones* (De Lesseps/Tilney), Erin Cessna* (Viola), Matthew Antoci (Fennyman), Neil Callahan (Lambert & Ensemble), Jack Dillon (Will), Thalia Eddyblouin (M. Quickly/Kate & Ensemble), Anthony Giovino (Burbage), Angela Hunt (Queen), Justin Jager (Wessex), Jim Jiang (Peter & Ensemble), Colin Kinnick (Sam), Alex Kosciusek (Robin & Ensemble), Nick Luberto (Ralph & Ensemble), Angus MacLennan (Ned), Mauricio Miranda (Marlowe), Bryan Mittelstadt (Boatman/Countertenor/Asst. Music Director), Hunter Monroe (Nol/Frees/Catling & Ensemble), Sean Redahan (Adam & Ensemble), Leone Rodriguez (Webster), Adrianna Simmons (Nurse/Molly), and Cole Wood (Wabash).

*Denotes members of Actor’s Equity Association.

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION

Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Select matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Single tickets are available now. Single tickets range from $10 to $33. All student tickets are only $10.

Pay-What-You-Can will be available for the Saturday, November 23rd, 8 PM performance. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket price is $1 plus a winter clothing item (coats/boots/hats/etc) item. 1 ticket per clothing item. Tickets are only available 1 hour prior to the performance in person at the box office. Not valid on prior sales.

*The Saturday, December 7th performance at 2pm will be ASL interpreted.

Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. For additional ticket information or to charge tickets by phone, call 860.486.2113. All sales are final; no refunds. Play selections and performance dates are subject to change.

Please call the box office at 860.486.2113 for tickets and additional information or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.

The Studio Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT.

CRT is the professional producing arm of the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. CRT productions are directed, designed by, and cast with visiting professional artists, including Equity actors, faculty members, and the department’s most advanced student artists. The synergy between professional and advanced student artists creates extraordinary theatre and a unique learning environment.