Brian Isaac Phillips hopes that audiences have fun at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) during the 2009-10 season, announced on Saturday evening. "In these difficult times, we feel it is our responsibility to make you smile," says CSC's artistic director. "We believe that it's more important than ever to come together as a community, not just to work, but also to play." —- The theater is located downtown at 719 Race St.
Phillips has assembled a season that includes three works by Shakespeare including the popular battle-of-the-sexes comedy Taming of the Shrew and the great tragedy of Othello; a modern classic about fiery 12th-century royalty, The Lion in Winter, a Broadway hit in 1966 and an award-winning 1968 film with Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn (who earned an Oscar as best actress); and An Ideal Husband, a comedy by Oscar Wilde from 1895. The CSC Studio Series in January and February 2010 will honor the memory of longtime patron and series sponsor, Dr. Robert J. Thierauf, with two programs (one is a double-bill) presented on alternating evenings.
Here's the entire schedule for CSC's 16th season, with dates and some further details:
The Lion in Winter by James Goldman (Sept. 11-Oct. 11, 2009), featuring Sherman Fracher as Eleanor of Aquitaine and Bruce Cromer as King Henry II.
All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare (Oct. 23-Nov. 14, 2009) with Sara Clark, Sherman Fracher, Kelly Mengelkoch and Amy Warner in a bittersweet romance.
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare (Nov. 27, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010) translated into a Hollywood screwball comedy in the 1930s for the holidays, featuring Hayley Clark as Kate.
CSC Studio Series (Jan. 22-Feb. 14, 2010), offering a double-bill featuring veteran regional actor Joneal Joplin in Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape and Eugene O'Neill's Hughie; that program will alternate with August Strindberg's Miss Julie.
Othello by William Shakespeare (Feb. 26-April 3, 2010) with long-time CSC actor Jeremy Dubin as the devious traitor Iago.
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde (April 16-May 16, 2010), a witty comedy from 1895 about love and fortune, blackmail and political intrigue.
CSC also announced that it will present a four-week summertime production (July 17-Aug. 9, 2009) of Engaged!, an 1877 comedy by W.S. Gilbert, the lyricist half of of the famous team of Gilbert & Sullivan.
CSC has not increased its subscription prices for 2009-10. Seven "flexible" tickets (good for any production) can be purchased for $156. Other affordable options include seniors ($132), students ($120) and a preview series ($80). Subscription sales begin today, March 1. Single ticket sales commence on April 1; prices range from $20-$26. For more information, call 513-381-2273 or go to www.cincyshakes.com.