Tickets are available to purchase online for the 38th season of the Texas Shakespeare Festival at Kilgore College.
The festival will run from June 29 to July 30 in Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore campus.
This year’s productions include: “The Comedy of Errors” by William Shakespeare; “Lear” by William Shakespeare; “Something Rotten!” (musical) by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, with music and lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick; “Pride & Prejudice” by Jane Austin, adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson; “Charlotte Collins” by Grace Abele; and “Todrick the Not-so-Terrible” (children’s show) by Grace Abele.
For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.texasshakespeare.com.
Season’s Line-Up
The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
“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 and adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson
“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, they are thrilled to bring Jane Austen’s work to the stage through one of literature’s most sweeping and romantic love stories.
Lear by William Shakespeare
“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. TSF’s production stars Festival favorite Sasha Hildebrand in the iconic role of Lear, giving a feminine spin to one of William Shakespeare’s most epic tragedies.
Something Rotten! book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and music and Lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Welcome to the Renaissance! Set in the 1590s, 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
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 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?
