Shakespeare in Love opens August 10th
in Oklahoma Shakespeare's Outdoor Theater
An Oklahoma Premiere!
OKLAHOMA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR "Shakespeare in Love" ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY LEE HALL, BASED ON THE SCREENPLAY BY MARC NORMAN AND TOM STOPPARD.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2023 (Oklahoma City, OK)—Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park announces casting for "Shakespeare in Love" which makes it's Oklahoma premiere August 10th and runs through August 20th in the company’s new outdoor theater, the Shakespeare Gardens, located at 2920 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103. The production is directed by Tyler Woods. Tickets are on sale on the website www.okshakes.org
The story follows a young Will Shakespeare who is stumped by a crippling case of writer’s block. Unbeknownst to him, his muse is waiting in the wings—enter Viola De Lesseps, a theatre-loving aristocrat soon to be married off, and unwilling to accept her fate, she daringly dresses as a boy-player to win the role of Romeo in Will’s new play. As the two fall in love, a romantic comedy of errors unfurls that ultimately inspires the creation of Shakespeare’s tragic romantic masterpiece.
"Producing this play seemed a natural for us" said Artistic Director Kathryn McGill. "It has been on my radar for a number of years and it just seemed the right time to bring it to Oklahoma. I’m a fan of the playwright Tom Stoppard, who was one of the screenwriters on the film, and his wit and invention is a great match for this epic romance that has everything,” says McGill.
The cast includes Joshua Murray as Will Shakespeare and Abigail Schmitz as Viola De Lesseps. Also Joseph Mann as Shakespeare’s talented colleague and friend Kit Marlowe; Alix Golden as the indomitable Queen Elizabeth I; Dillon Rasberry as loan shark-turned-producer Fennyman; Justin Marlow as Viola’s insufferable fiancé Lord Wessex; Tyler Malinauskas as theatrical entrepreneur Richard Burbage; Paxton Kliewer as famous thespian Ned Alleyn; Maurice Quintel Simmons in multiple roles; Jonathan Lynch as Tylney; Kamar Alkhatib as Ralph; SM Boyer and Tyler Harrell in multiple roles and Evan Wolfe as rival theatre manager Philip Henslowe.
The creative team for "Shakespeare in Love" includes scenic designer Edward Morris and costume designer Lloyd Cracknell. A full company list can be found here: Shakespeare in Love Playbill — Oklahoma Shakespeare (okshakes.org)
Shakespeare in Love
ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY LEE HALL, BASED ON THE SCREENPLAY BY MARC NORMAN AND TOM STOPPARD.
Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park
Address: 2920 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Theater: Outdoors in The Shakespeare Gardens
When: August 10-20
Time: Thursday and Sundays 7:30pm Fridays and Saturdays 8pm
Tickets: www.okshakes.org
Rated: PG
A Capital Campaign for the Shakespeare Gardens continues. Patrons and Donors have the opportunity to sponsor aspects of the outdoor venue such as benches and trees.
To support Oklahoma Shakespeare’s new venue, make a donation at okshakes.org/donate. Contributions are accepted online, over the phone and via mail: Oklahoma Shakespeare P.O. BOX 1437 Oklahoma City, OK 73101.
Facebook: @OklahomaShakespeare
Twitter: @OKShakespeare
Instagram: @okshakespeare
#ShakespeareGardens #OKShakesonthePaseo
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About Oklahoma Shakespeare:
Founded in 1985 by Executive/Artistic Director Kathryn McGill and the late Jack O'Meara, Oklahoma Shakespeare has been bringing first-rate professional productions of Shakespeare and the classics to life in Central Oklahoma for 38 seasons. This season's shows will be performed outdoors in The Shakespeare Gardens and indoors at our newly renovated space in the Historic Paseo Arts District. The organization's educational outreach programs help Shakespeare come alive for students and teachers in classrooms throughout the state. OS is supported by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Allied Arts, The Inasmuch Foundation, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, OCCF, and The Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is a proud member of Actors' Equity.
Media Contact:
Kathryn McGill
tyler@okshakes.org | 405-235-3700