[Kilgore, TX] East Texas’ only professional theatre will return this summer for its 38th season. The Texas Shakespeare Festival at Kilgore College will produce a diverse selection of productions for audiences opening June 29th and closing July 30th. Kilgore College, home of the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes, hosts TSF in the Van Cliburn Auditorium, named after the esteemed piano player of Texas fame. The 38th season will feature two plays by William Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors and Lear, Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice adapted for the stage by Melissa Leilani Larson, as well as the musical Something Rotten! with book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and music and lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Additionally, a world premiere play for children will be presented: Todrick the Not-So-Terrible written by TSF alum Grace Abele.
Artistic Director Meaghan Simpson, now in her third season of leadership, recommends seeing every play to get the full experience, each of which offer “a glimpse at familial relationships from a variety of angles. The Comedy of Errors tells the story of twins separated at birth seeking to be reunited, Pride & Prejudice shows the beauty of sisterhood through trials and tribulations on the journey to find love, Lear is a cautionary tale of a parent dividing their estate and the fallout that follows made all the more potent in this adaptation with a female actor in the title role, and Something Rotten! follows two brothers working together to overcome obstacles in the package of a hilarious musical.”
Tickets go on sale May 1st online for Guild Members and May 8th online for the General Public at www.texasshakespeare.tix.com Tickets will be available in-person or by phone beginning May 27th at the ticket window or by calling (903) 983-8601. Opening night is June 29th and closing night is July 30th. The plays run Thursday through Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. To learn more, visit www.texasshakespeare.com The Texas Shakespeare Festival operates in true rotating repertory fashion, allowing audience members to take in every play over the course of two days. If you make the trip, be sure to see what else East Texas has to offer!
Shopping: 80 Acre Market, Gladewater’s Antique stores, Kilgore Farmer’s Market
Dining: Jack Ryan’s Steakhouse, Downtown D’Lites Café, Memi D’s Coffee
Outdoor: Creekside Walking and Bike Trails, Caldwell Zoo, Cherokee Trace Safari
Museums: Kilgore College Rangerette and East Texas Oil Museum, Texas Broadcast Museum
TSF Season 38 Show Blurbs
The Comedy of Errors
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Matt Zambrano
“And now let’s go hand in hand, not one before another.”
After being separated from their family in a tragic shipwreck two twin brothers search for answers alongside their servants--who also happen to be twins. Mistaken identities abound as the sets of brothers go on a hilarious journey of love and friendship ending with the reuniting of all who were once lost. Featuring unforgettable characters, this comedy will have you laughing all the way home.
Pride & Prejudice
By Jane Austen
Adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson
Directed by Susan Felder
“Is not general incivility the very essence of love?”
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice has remained one of the most popular novels in the English language since its publication in 1813. A Regency era comedy of manners, Pride & Prejudice follows the story of the five Bennet sisters and their journey toward love and security. When a mysterious rich bachelor moves next door, much excitement begins. Austen refers to the vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, "as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print." For the first time in TSF’s history, we are thrilled to bring Jane Austen’s work to our stage through one of literature’s most sweeping and romantic love stories.
Lear
By William Shakespeare
Directed by George Judy
“How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child!”
Nearing retirement age, Lear must divide her estate between her three daughters. After years of being flattered and lied to, she has misjudged who has her good intentions at heart. This fatal mistake sends her into the arms of those who seek to harm her and away from her youngest daughter, Cordelia, who truly cares for her. Only through trials and tribulations does Lear realize her wrong choice, after she has already been driven to madness. One of Shakespeare’s most epic tragedies, this story will keep you glued to your seat with its soaring language, moving poetry, and iconic characters.
Something Rotten!
Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell
Music and Lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Directed and Choreographed by Whitney Branan
Welcome to the Renaissance! Set in the 1590’s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of the Renaissance rockstar known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self…and all that jazz.
Todrick the Not-So-Terrible
By Grace Abele
Directed by Micah Goodding
Before his coronation, Todrick the Terrible (Tenth of his Name) must complete an evil quest: capture a lost maiden, tie her to a rock, and feed her to his pet dragon. The trouble is, Todrick isn’t very terrible. In this anti-Arthurian legend, a young prince desperate to fulfill his evil purpose must seek out the Magical and Conveniently Placed-Blade-of-Destiny in the Stone…or risk throwing off the delicate balance between the Kingdoms of Good and Evil.
Charlotte Collins, a Staged Reading
Written and Directed By Grace Abele Following the events of Pride and Prejudice, supporting character Charlotte Collins (née Lucas) finds herself thrown into the unexpected role of romantic leading lady as she and her witless husband embark on an adventure to Scotland. Trapped in a narrative that’s spinning out of her control, Charlotte discovers that being a romantic leading lady is much more trouble than it seems from the outside–especially with the eyes of an entire audience on her. Romance, lies, bagpipes, French spies, kilts, and prohibitively stringent manners abound in this Regency-era comedy that poses the question: what happens to the characters who don’t end up with a Mr. Darcy?
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