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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><STRONG>FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE<BR></STRONG>February 21, 2011<BR><BR><STRONG><FONT size=4>Cleveland’s
Classic Theater Company<BR>Comically Conquers the Bard’s Entire Canon
With<BR></FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=4><EM>The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare (Abridged)<BR></EM>at the Hanna Theatre,
PlayhouseSquare</FONT></STRONG><BR><BR><FONT size=3><STRONG><EM>Three actors
tackle all thirty-seven of Shakespeare’s plays in two
hours.</EM></STRONG><BR><STRONG>Critically-acclaimed vocalist HELEN WELCH
headlines post-show music series.</STRONG></FONT><BR><BR>CLEVELAND, OH -
<STRONG>Great Lakes Theater Festival</STRONG> (GLTF), Cleveland’s classic
theater, kicks off the second half of its 2010-11 season with the riotously
irreverent, three-actor romp, <EM><STRONG>The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare (Abridged)</STRONG></EM> <EM>[Complete Works]</EM> by Adam Long,
Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield. The production will be performed in the
company’s revolutionary and audience-friendly home at the <STRONG>Hanna Theatre,
PlayhouseSquare</STRONG>, March 11-27. 2011. The Festival’s Producing Artistic
Director, <STRONG>Charles Fee</STRONG>, will direct.<BR></FONT><FONT size=2
face=Arial><BR>The <STRONG>production sponsor</STRONG> of <EM>The Complete Works
of William Shakespeare (Abridged)</EM> is <STRONG>PNC</STRONG>. Great Lakes
Theater Festival’s season is generously funded by the <STRONG>citizens of
Cuyahoga County </STRONG>through <STRONG>Cuyahoga Arts and Culture</STRONG>. The
Festival receives additional season support from <STRONG>The Cleveland
Foundation</STRONG> and the <STRONG>Ohio Arts Council</STRONG>. Media sponsors
for GLTF’s 49th season are <EM>Cleveland Scene, The Plain Dealer</EM>, WCLV
104.9 FM, WCPN 90.3 FM ideastream and WKSU 89.7 FM.<BR><BR><STRONG>"Complete
Works is as much fun for us to produce as it is for audiences to
experience,”</STRONG> said GLTF Producing Artistic Director, <STRONG>Charles
Fee</STRONG>. “Works is a complete and utter comic send-up, an homage to all
things Shakespeare…with tongue planted firmly in cheek, of course. It really is
an absolute blast and the Hanna Theatre is a perfect venue for the
show.”<BR><BR>In <EM>Complete Works</EM> <STRONG>three ambitious actors, clad in
Converse tennis shoes and armed with an outrageous assortment of outerwear and
props, cram the Bard’s entire canon of plays and sonnets into about two
hours</STRONG>. <EM>The Today Show</EM> may have described the production best
when they said, “If you like Shakespeare, you’ll like this show. If you hate
Shakespeare, you’ll love this show!” One of London’s longest running
comedies, Complete Works is a high-speed, roller coaster condensation of
Shakespeare. Patrons are advised to keep their hands and feet inside the theater
at all times as seat belts will NOT be installed in the theater for the
production. In addition, audience members are asked to remain seated until the
laughter has come to a complete stop.<BR><BR>Veteran actors, <STRONG>Paul
Hurley, Jason O’Connell</STRONG> and <STRONG>M.A. Taylor</STRONG> comprise the
three-man cast for <EM>The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
(Abridged).</EM> While Taylor is a nine-year member of GLTF’s resident
acting company, regional theater regulars, Hurley and O’Connell will make their
Festival/Cleveland debuts with <EM>Complete Works</EM>.<BR><BR><STRONG>Great
Lakes Theater Festival’s award-winning home at the Hanna Theatre</STRONG>
features a visionary “Great Room” inspired design concept that integrates the
artist and audience experience into a single unified environment. Hanna patrons
select from <STRONG>a variety of seating opportunities</STRONG> including
traditional theater seats, club chairs, lounge/bar seats, banquette couches and
private box seating. Arranged in an intimate 550-seat thrust configuration
where the <STRONG>audience surrounds the stage, no seat is further than 12
rows</STRONG> from the performance at the Hanna.<BR> <BR>With <EM>Complete
Works</EM>, <STRONG>GLTF will continue to offer free, live music in the Hanna’s
lounge following Saturday evening performances</STRONG> (non-opening night).
<STRONG><EM>Nightcap Night Saturdays</EM></STRONG> encourage patrons to extend
their stay at the Hanna and highlight the GLTF/Hanna experience as one of the
most unique entertainment options in the region. <STRONG>Critically-acclaimed
vocalist and theater artist, Helen Welch, headlines the series</STRONG> on
Saturday, <STRONG>March 1</STRONG>9 performing in the Hanna lounge after the
show. <STRONG>The Roy King Trio</STRONG> will provide musical entertainment
following the Saturday, <STRONG>March 26th</STRONG> performance.<BR><BR>Great
Lakes Theater Festival’s <EM>Experience Enhancement Series</EM> is organized by
day of week. The series highlights the Hanna’s unique amenities and
affords patrons access to Festival artists.</FONT> </FONT></DIV>
<UL>
<LI><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=2 face=Arial><STRONG><EM>“Salon
Thursdays”</EM></STRONG> feature an engaging pre-show discussion with Festival
artists beginning one hour before curtain. (Offered: Mar. 17 &
24)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT size=2 face=Arial><STRONG><EM>“Happy Hour Fridays”</EM></STRONG>
afford audience members the opportunity to gather and socialize at the Hanna’s
bar early. Savory and sweet hors d’ oeuvres along with a complete range of
beverages are available for purchase ninety minutes before the show. (Offered:
Mar. 11, 18, 25) </FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT size=2 face=Arial><STRONG><EM>“Nightcap Night
Saturdays”</EM></STRONG> encourage audience members to stay after the evening
performance and enjoy entertainment performed by the region’s finest musicians
and vocalists while mingling with the GLTF artistic company in the Hanna’s
lounge. The Hanna bar is open until ninety minutes after the performance.
(Offered: Mar. 19 & 26)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT size=2 face=Arial><STRONG><EM>“Ice Cream Social
Sundays”</EM></STRONG> offer patrons the opportunity to enjoy a London theatre
tradition brought state-side. Audience members are invited to purchase a
cool, personal ice cream treat before the show or at intermission. Ice
cream will be offered at every GLTF performance, but on “Ice Cream Social
Sundays,” the treat is half price. (Offered: Mar. 13, 20, &
27)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT size=2 face=Arial><STRONG><EM>“Director’s Nights”</EM></STRONG>
offer audiences the opportunity to take part in a pre-show discussion with
GLTF’s Producing Artistic Director, Charles Fee, before preview
performances. (Offered: Mar. 11)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT size=2 face=Arial><STRONG><EM>“Playnotes Pre-Show
Discussions”</EM></STRONG> inform patrons with illuminating introductions to
the content and history of the play presented by a guest scholar before
Saturday matinee performances. (Offered: Mar. 19 &
26)</FONT></LI></UL>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>GLTF will continue to afford patrons extraordinary
access to its artists and production process at every Hanna Theatre performance
this spring. <STRONG>The Hanna opens its doors ninety minutes before each
performance</STRONG> <STRONG>allowing patrons to observe the complete pre-show
preparation process of GLTF’s actors and technical staff</STRONG>. Elements
traditionally hidden from audiences such as stage combat rehearsals, dance
calls, prop/scenic pre-sets, technical cue rehearsals and actor warm-ups will be
conducted in full view of patrons, offering audiences an unprecedented glimpse
into the theatrical process.</FONT></DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV><BR><STRONG>The Festival will continue its New Deal pricing
initiative</STRONG> this spring - designed to increase accessibility for
audiences. As part of the program, <STRONG>adult tickets for every performance
always begin at $15</STRONG> and <STRONG>student tickets for any seat at any
show are $13</STRONG> - making the Great Lakes Theater Festival experience one
of the most affordable entertainment options in the region.</DIV>
<DIV><BR>The <STRONG>Opening Night</STRONG> performance of <EM>The Complete
Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)</EM> is scheduled for Saturday, March 12
with a preview performance slated for the preceding Friday night. Curtain times
for all evening performances will remain at 7:30 p.m., with a 1:30 p.m. curtain
time for Saturday matinees and a 3:00 p.m. curtain time for Sunday matinees.
GLTF will offer a <STRONG>sign-interpreted/ audio-described performance</STRONG>
of <EM>Complete Works</EM> on Sunday, March 13.</DIV>
<DIV><BR><STRONG>Single performance tickets range in price from $15-$70 (Student
tickets are $13</STRONG> – any performance / any seat) and are available by
calling (216) 241-6000, by ordering online at www.greatlakestheater.org or by
visiting the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office. <STRONG>Groups of ten or more
receive discounts of up to 40% </STRONG>by calling the Group Sales Department at
(216) 241-5490 x302.<BR></DIV>
<DIV>Great Lakes Theater Festival has brought the pleasure, power and relevance
of classic theater to the widest possible audience since 1962. The first
resident company of PlayhouseSquare, GLTF celebrates its 29th year in downtown
Cleveland this season. <STRONG>Festival programming reaches 85,000 adults and
students annually</STRONG>.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV># # #</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>MEDIA CONTACT:</STRONG><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><STRONG>Todd
Krispinsky</STRONG><BR>Marketing and Public Relations Director<BR>Great Lakes
Theater Festival<BR><?xml:namespace prefix = ns0 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
/><ns0:Street><ns0:address><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:address
w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">1501 Euclid Avenue, Suite
300</st1:Street><BR></ns0:address></st1:address></ns0:Street><ns0:place><ns0:City><st1:City
w:st="on">Cleveland</st1:City></ns0:City>, <ns0:State><st1:State
w:st="on">Ohio</st1:State></ns0:State> <ns0:PostalCode><st1:PostalCode
w:st="on">44115</st1:PostalCode><BR></ns0:PostalCode></ns0:place>(216) 241-5490
x317 / (216) 241-6315 Fax</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><A
href="blocked::blocked::blocked::http://www.greatlakestheater.org/">www.greatlakestheater.org</A></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></SPAN><BR><BR><STRONG><EM>The
Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)</EM></STRONG><BR><STRONG><FONT
size=3>ACTING COMPANY</FONT></STRONG><BR><BR><STRONG>Paul
Hurley</STRONG><BR><EM>Great Lakes Theater Festival debut</EM><BR>Paul is
thrilled to be performing for the first time with Great Lakes Theater
Festival. He makes his home in Chicago where he has recently been seen on
stage at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company (<EM>The Importance of Being Earnest, Les
Liaisons Dangereuses</EM>) and Chicago Shakespeare Theater
(<EM>Othello</EM>). Other regional credits include work with Milwaukee
Repertory Theater (<EM>A Christmas Carol, Anna Christie</EM>); Madison Repertory
Theatre (<EM>The Laramie Project</EM>); Delaware Theatre Company (<EM>Henry V,
All the Great Books Abridged</EM>); Utah Shakespearean Festival (<EM>Romeo and
Juliet, Doctor Faustus</EM>); and six seasons with American Players Theatre
(<EM>The Circle, The Belle’s Stratagem, Merchant of Venice, Timon of Athens, The
Cherry Orchard, Hamlet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, among others</EM>). Paul
holds an MFA from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training
Program. <BR><BR><STRONG>Jason O’Connell</STRONG><BR><EM>Great Lakes
Theater Festival debut</EM><BR>Jason is thrilled to be making his GLTF debut in
this, his eighth production of <EM>The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
(Abridged)</EM>. He has played each role in the show multiple times at
multiple venues, including Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (as the guy who
plays all the girls), Texas Shakespeare Festival (as the guy who plays Hamlet),
and Delaware Theatre Company (as the guy he's playing now). Jason lives
and works in New York City, where his Off-Broadway credits include the acclaimed
<EM>Penny Pennyworth</EM> at TADA Theatre, Richard Nixon in <EM>Don't Blame Me,
I Voted For Helen Gahagan Douglas</EM> opposite Christine Lahti and James
Naughton at Symphony Space, and <EM>A Midsummer Night's Dream</EM> at the
Brooklyn Academy of Music. Regionally, Jason has played Benedick, Hamlet,
Richard III, Petruchio, Mercutio and Falstaff at Shakespeare festivals around
the country, and has appeared at American Players Theatre (<EM>The Play's the
Thing</EM>), Florida Studio Theatre (<EM>The Goat</EM>), Arkansas Repertory
Theatre (<EM>All My Sons</EM>), North Carolina Theatre (<EM>Guys and
Dolls</EM>), and the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (<EM>Boeing
Boeing</EM>). While home in NYC, Jason performs improv and stand-up
comedy, records animation voiceovers, and has appeared on Law & Order:SVU
and Law & Order:CI.<BR><BR><STRONG>M.A. Taylor</STRONG><BR><EM>Nine seasons
at Great Lakes Theater Festival</EM><BR>Mark Anthony (aka M.A.) is delighted to
return to the magnificent Hanna Theatre for another lovely spring season. Good
to get back to this one, after having spent last summer doing ‘<EM>Works’</EM>
at the beautiful Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. He has most recently been seen
in; <EM>Othello</EM> (Gratiano), <EM>An Ideal Husband</EM> (Phipps), <EM>A
Midsummer Night's Dream</EM> (Flute/Fairy), <EM>A Christmas Carol</EM> (Charity
Man/Old Joe), <EM>The Mystery of Edwin Drood</EM> (Durdles) and <EM>Twelfth
Night</EM> (Fabian). Also among his credits; <EM>Candy in Of Mice and Men</EM>
(directed by Adrian Hall) for PTTP/Rep, <EM>Dracula</EM> for Boise Contemporary
Theater in the title role, Launce in <EM>The Two Gentlemen of Verona</EM>,
Gravedigger/ Player King in <EM>Hamlet</EM> for Pennsylvania Shakespeare
Festival, <EM>Crave</EM> & <EM>Fully Committed</EM> for Tooth & Nail
Theater in Salt Lake City. Other productions include; <EM>Arsenic and Old Lace,
The Crucible, She Stoops to Conquer, A Streetcar Named Desire, Tooth of Crime,
Translations, An Ideal Husband, All the King’s Men, The Effects of Tobacco, Swan
Song, Saint Joan</EM> and <EM>The Count of Monte Cristo</EM>. He holds an MFA
from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program
(PTTP). He wishes to give special thanks to his supportive family
and the GLTF staff and crew. Thanks y'all! (And as always…. GO TRIBE
!!)</FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT><SPAN></DIV></DIV></DIV></SPAN></BODY></HTML>