Wednesday, July 25, 2001 |
Georgia Shakespeare Festival announces 2001 season
Genius, jealousy and good times take center stage as Georgia Shakespeare Festival presents its 16th season of the world's best stories performed by one of the country's strongest acting ensembles. According to producing artistic director Richard Garner, "The plays we have chosen for our 2001 season are epic in scope, yet tell extremely personal stories." The 2001 summer acting company, which will perform all three summer plays in rotating repertory, consists of several familiar faces in addition to some of Georgia's most prominent new artists. Festival associate artists John Ammerman, Hudson Adams, Chris Kayser, Allen O,Reilly, Bruce Evers, Carolyn Cook, Brad Sherrill, Kathleen McManus, Jonathan Davis, Tim McDonough and Janice Akers are among Atlanta's most renowned actors returning to the Festival stage this summer. Artists new to the Festival's mainstage include Suzanne Roush, and Anthony Irons. Two former Festival interns return to GSF as company members: James Butz has landed one of the season's most coveted roles Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; and Jessie Andary has been cast as Mozart's wife, Constanze. Subscriptions to Georgia Shakespeare Festival's 2001 season are on sale now. Call 404-264-0020 or visit www.gashakespeare.org. The season includes: "Amadeus" by Peter Shaffer, directed by Karen Robinson. sponsored by Bank of America. In rotating repertory June 15 - Aug. 12. Set in the splendor of 18th century Vienna, this thrilling and wickedly funny play pits human ambition against heavenly genius. GSF associate artist John Ammerman portrays Antonio Salieri, the most famous composer in a city of musicians, until the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (James Butz) arrives. Confronted with the limitations of his own talent, and believing that God has abandoned him, Salieri embarks on a desperate course of action. Jonathan Davis portrays Emperor Joseph and Jessie Andary is Mozart's wife, Constanze. "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare, directed by Jessica Phelps West, sponsored by Wachovia. In rotating repertory June 29 - Aug. 11. The untamed American frontier provides the backdrop for this comic journey into the Forest of Arden, where the longing of lovers and the wit of fools collide in a frenzy of emotion. The cast of this comedy includes Brad Sherrill (Orlando); Suzanne Roush (Rosalind), John Ammerman (Jaques), Jonathan Davis (Touchstone), as well as Chris Kayser, Michelle McCullough, Anthony Irons and Kathleen McManus. Most recently Jessica Phelps West received critical acclaim for her direction of "Wit and Dinner with Friends" at the Alliance Theater Company and "Master Class" at Theater in the Square. "The Winter's Tale" by William Shakespeare, directed by Richard Garner, sponsored by Uncharted Outposts In rotating repertory July 13 - Aug. 10. Journey to Bohemia as GSF presents one of Shakespeare's most beautiful and fantastical plays. Leontes (Allen O,Reilly) is king of Sicilia; a master of a loving family and an adoring nation. That is, until the seed of jealousy takes root. A roller coaster of spiraling plot twists, "The Winter's Tale" plunges to the depths of despair before soaring to magical heights, celebrating love, forgiveness and ultimate redemption. The cast includes Chris Kayser (Autolycus), John Ammerman (Antigonus), Carolyn Cook (Hermione), Janice Akers (Paulina), Tim McDonough (Camillo), and Jonathan Davis (Clown). Richard Garner most recently directed GSF's critically acclaimed "A Midsummer Night's Dream." "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, directed by John Dillon, sponsored by CornerCap Investment Counsel, Oct. 12 - Nov. 4. Shakespeare's bold, political thriller engulfs the theater when John Dillon (1999's Hamlet) directs this timeless drama. Beware the Ides of March. Casting for Julius Caesar will be announced at a later date. Subscriptions to Georgia Shakespeare Festival's 2001 season are on sale now. Call 404-264-0020 or visit www.gashakespeare.org. Georgia Shakespeare Festival is the professional theater in residence at Oglethorpe University and performs at the Conant Performing Arts Center, 4484 Peachtree Rd. The troup was named Best Theater, 2000 by Creative Loafing and Atlanta's citysearch.com. A full concession stand and coffee bar are available for performances, as well as landscaped picnic grounds. Patrons may bring their own picnics, or order through Talk of the Town by calling 770-594-8430, 24 hours before the performance. No alcohol is sold, but patrons are welcomed to bring their own. Picnic grounds open 90 minutes before curtain. Plays, casting and schedule are subject to change.
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