News and Information
Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322

Release date: March 17, 1999
Contact: Deb Hammacher, Assistant Director

THEATER EMORY PRESENTS READINGS OF WORK BY SHAKESPEARE AND ABOUT SHAKESPEARE

In the current climate of film and television domination of the entertainment world, it is hard to imagine that an American public so passionate about theater that a riot over rival productions of Macbeth could occur, yet that is precisely what happened in New York City in the middle of the 19th century. Theater Emory will present a staged readings of Richard Nelson's Two Shakespearean Actors, which concerns imagined events revolving around a true episode in which a riot erupted outside a New York City opera house over the English actor starring within. Two readings of Love's Labor's Lost also will be staged by Theater Emory as part of its ongoing investigation of Shakespeare's work.

On May 10, 1849, English actor William Charles Macready was performing the role of Macbeth at the Astor Place Opera House in New York City when the riot broke out resulting in 34 dead and more than 100 injured. Nelson's play imagines what might have taken place among the two theater companies just before and during the calamity. John Ammerman and Mark Kinkaid are the two Macbeths, one American and one English.

In Love's Labor's Lost, Shakespeare asks the question: Should lovers make sacrifices in pursuit of the object of their affection? Shakespeare's comedy illustrates how easily a match of love and wit can end up as a battle of the sexes when personal stakes are on the line. A cast of professional, student and faculty actors includes the lovers played by professional actors Brad Sherrill (Berowne), Caroline Cook (Rosaline), and Angus Whyte (Dumaine), and student actors Brittany Bielfelt (Katharine), Mark Blankenship (Longaville) and Julia Townsend (Maria). The reading is directed by Elisa Lloyd.

The events will be at the Munroe Theater in Dobbs University Center at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25 for Shakespearean Actors and Saturday, March 27 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for Love's Labor's Lost. Both performances are free and open to the public. Call 404-727-5050 or email boxoffice@emory.edu