Great theatre - Past and Present
January 13, 2017
A CLASSIC THEATRE ANNOUNCES CAST OF
FOR THE LOVE OF SHAKESPEARE!
St. Augustine, FL—A Classic Theatre announces the cast of their next production, For the Love of Shakespeare! As theaters around the world celebrate 400 years of Shakespeare, ACT offers a tribute to the Bard with this comedic trio of one-acts. Follow the antics of this company of actors as they explore Shakespeare’s world with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The one-acts include “The Dark Lady of the Sonnets” by George Bernard Shaw, “SHAKESappear!” by Milton E. Polsky, and “Something Rotten in Denmark” by Ann Karine (aka Annie G.).
Director Deborah Dickey has selected a talented group of six actors for these light-hearted Valentines to the Bard. The cast includes Ashley Carter, as Shakespeare and Jason, who most recently appeared in ACT’s production of “Voices of the Dark and Classic”; Jessica Ferris, a veteran of ACT and the Limelight stage, who creates the roles of The Dark Lady and Mary; and Christine Fogarty, appearing as The Lady and Anne, who currently teaches Theater at Flagler College and was last seen in ACT’s production of “Voices of the Dark and Classic.”
Making their ACT debut are Jenna Foley and Stephen Mitchell. Jenna, portraying Judith Shakespeare and Cornelia, studies Theater at Flagler College where she appeared last year in “Emotional Creature.” Stephen Mitchell, a St. Augustine native, has worked as a director, actor and producer for both film and theater. He is currently the Museums and Production Manager for Old Town Trolley. He appears in the roles of Shakespeare and Hamlet’s Ghost. Rounding out the cast is Kelly McTaggart as The Beefeater and Bartholomew. Kelly is a familiar face to St. Augustine audiences most recently appearing in ACT production of “Threads of Silver and Gold: Women of the Panama Canal” in the role of Theodore Roosevelt.
From Shaw’s witty take on the “Dark Lady” to the uproarious backstage intrigue of the very first production of “Hamlet” in Shakespeare’s own theatre, you will be treated to an evening as you like it! Performances of “For the Love of Shakespeare!” are set for Feb. 17-18 at 7:30 pm with a 2:00 pm Sumday matinee on Feb. 19 at the Pioneer Barn located at 259 San Marco Ave., uptown St. Augustine. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available online at www.aclassictheatre.org/. Information and reservations at aclassictheatre@hotmail.com or phone 904-501-5093.
 Stephen Pigman, Jessica Ferris and Kelly McTaggart |
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 Ashley Carter and Christine Fogary |
 Kelly McTaggart and Jessica Ferris |
 Ashley Carter, Jessica Ferris and Christine Fogarty |
 Jenna Foley |
 Kelly McTaggart |
December 5, 2016
A CLASSIC THEATRE PRESENTS:
FOR THE LOVE OF SHAKESPEARE!
St. Augustine, FL – A Classic Theatre joins the celebration of 400 years of Shakespeare with For the Love of Shakespeare! These comic “Valentines to the Bard” are directed by Deborah Dickey and reflect the world’s continued fascination with the beloved playwright, as the year-long touring exhibit of a rare copy of The First Folio makes its way across the nation with stops in all fifty states.
A Classic Theatre’s delightful evening of one-acts begins with George Bernard Shaw’s “The Dark Lady of the Sonnets” in which William Shakespeare, intending to meet the “Dark Lady”, encounters more than he bargains for as he meets his lady on the terrace of Whitehall Palace. The play was written as part of a campaign to create a "Shakespeare National Theatre", and Shaw pulls out all the stops in this playful look at mistaken identity.
In “SHAKESappear!” by Milton E. Polsky, The Bard nervously watches a rehearsal of his newest work, Macbeth, from a theatre balcony. His daughter Judith urges her father to include the element of “witches” to liven up the play soon to be presented at the court of King James. This clever one-act brings a fresh and witty look to the debate over the true authorship of Shakespeare’s plays.
The evening comes to a rollicking conclusion with “Something Rotten in Denmark” by Ann Karine (aka Annie G.) as Shakespeare’s company of players prepares the first performance of Hamlet. With the actors’ trepidations about the play, and even more contempt for the playwright, the backstage intrigue takes center stage with hilarious results.
Performances of For the Love of Shakespeare! are set for Feb. 17-18 at 7:30 pm with a 2:00 pm matinee on Feb. 19 at the Pioneer Barn located at 259 San Marco Ave., uptown St. Augustine. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available online at www.aclassictheatre.org. For information or reservations: aclassictheatre@hotmail.com or phone 904-501-5093
Front L to R: Ashley Carter, Stephen Mitchell, Jenna Foley
Rear L to R: Jessica Ferris, Kelly McTaggart, Christine Fogarty