.png)
Texas Shakespeare Festival Press Release
May 10th, 2024
Texas Shakespeare Festival Returns for 39th Season
[Kilgore, TX] East Texas’ only professional theatre will return this summer for its 39th season. The Texas Shakespeare Festival at Kilgore College will produce a diverse selection of productions for audiences opening June 27th and closing July 28th. 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 39th season will feature two plays by William Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing and Julius Caesar, along with the Tony award winning Broadway hits Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker and Sweeney Todd with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. Additionally, there will be a family friendly production of Tinker Bell by Patrick Flynn, a staged reading of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre adapted by Willis Hall and a company Talent Showcase.
Tickets are now available online at www.texasshakespeare.tix.com Tickets will be available in-person or by phone beginning May 25th at the ticket window or by calling (903) 983-8601. Opening night is June 27th and closing night is July 28th. 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, Zen Kitchen, 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 39 Show Blurbs
Much Ado About Nothing
By William Shakespeare
Much Ado About Nothing is actually about… everything. Featuring two of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters Beatrice and Benedick, battling in the name of love, friendship, respect, dignity, and what happens when you are on the brink of losing them.
What to Expect: This is one of Shakespeare’s most masterful romantic comedies, featuring relatable relationships, witty wordplay, and silly slapstick.
You’ll Love it if you Loved: The Comedy of Errors (2023), The Taming of the Shrew (2022), The Merry Wives of Windsor (2021)
Rating: PG
Peter and the Starcatcher
By Rick Elice with Music by Wayne Barker
The Tony-winning play based on the best-selling novels, Peter and the Starcatcher upends the century old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan.
What to Expect: Peter and the Starcatcher delivers everything you would expect in a Peter Pan tale—and more! Featuring pirates, swordfights, and lost boys brought to life with creative theatricality, music, and humor.
You’ll Love it if you Loved: Something Rotten! (2023), Nell Gwynn (2022), The Book of Will (2021) Rating: PG
Julius Caesar
By William Shakespeare
In a political landscape, jealousy and conspiracy have driven many to believe that Julius Caesar poses a threat to democracy. Taking matters into their own hands, Caesar’s allies revolt and murder him, leading to an eventual civil war.
What to Expect: A political drama that, despite being written over 400 years ago, is shockingly relatable today. Some heightened language and violence make it less suitable for all audiences. You’ll Love it if you Loved: Lear (2023), Born Yesterday (2019) Romeo & Juliet (2021) Rating: PG-13
Sweeney Todd
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which, he opens a new barber
practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun!
What to Expect: A dark, witty tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. Some sharp language and violence make it less suitable for all audiences. You’ll Love it if you Loved: Lear (2023), Nell Gwynn (2022), Into the Woods (2019) Rating: PG-13
Tinker Bell
A Play for All Ages
By Patrick Flynn, Based on the works of J.M. Barrie
When all the fairies in Neverland start dying, Tinker Bell comes to London to find a friend. There she meets a young boy named Peter Pan who has just run away from his family so he can be a little boy forever and have fun. But as Peter brings more Lost Boys and the Darling children back to her island, Tink finds she doesn’t like sharing her friend with anyone else. Especially that Wendy girl.
What to Expect: A fresh and intensely theatrical adaptation of the classic story emphasizes play and fun as well as the complicated nature of friendship. A new, twinkling light shines on all the characters you love as J.M. Barrie’s story is reborn from this feisty fairy’s point of view.
You’ll Love it if you Loved: Todrick the Not-So-Terrible (2023), The Hog Princess (2022), The Gnomes of Gnot-a-Hill (2021)
Rating: G
Downtown Series
Jane Eyre, a Staged Reading
By Charlotte Bronté
Adapted by Willis Hall
TSF Talent Showcase
Featuring the 2024 Company
Experience everything you love about the Texas Shakespeare Festival while taking in the beauty of downtown Kilgore in the historic Texan theatre.
What to Expect: The Downtown Series will feature a staged reading production of Jane Eyre as well as a Talent Show, both starring members of the 2024 company.
You'll Love it if you Loved: Charlotte Collins (2023, 2022), TSF Talent Showcase (2023, 2022, 2021) The Belle of Amherst (2018, 2016, 2015)
Rating: PG
Comments
Post a Comment