Pages

Thursday, January 27, 2011

FREE SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTION IN JERSEY CITY

Actors’ Shakespeare Company has a production perfect for Shakespeare lovers…and it’s FREE:

WOMEN IN POWER AND WHAT THEY SAY: THE ACTORS SHAKESPEARE COMPANY AT NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY OFFERS SHAKESPEARE’S QUEENS

Feminine speeches from Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth
strike the theme of women heard but not often heeded

WHEN: Friday, February 4, at 7:30 PM and February 5 at 3:00 PM
WHERE: New Jersey City
University’s West Side Theater, 285 West Side Avenue in Jersey City, conveniently located near Culver Avenue (on the NJCU campus), just minutes from Routes 440 and 1-9, exit 15E of the N.J. Turnpike, and exit 14B of the N.J. Turnpike extension I-78. There is ample parking in the University’s parking lot on West Side and Audubon Avenues.
TICKETS: free!

As part of its “ASC in the Community” series, ASC at NJCU will travel on Sunday, February 6, for a 1:30 PM presentation at Congregation B’nai Jacob, 176 West Side Avenue, Jersey City.

In Shakespeare’s Queens, the women of ASC at NJCU will present a performance and lecture examining feminine authority during the reign of Elizabeth I and beyond. Calling on both Elizabeth’s own words and Shakespeare’s depictions of queens and other women of power, Shakespeare’s Queens is a celebration of feminine strength and a tribute to the struggles of women who fail to conform to society’s expectations. 

Shakespeare’s Queens has an underlying theme of women being underestimated even when in power.  “Often as not, Shakespeare's queens are the ones who speak the most sense in a situation, or cut directly to the heart of a problem.  They are not always listened to or believed, which is generally a failure of imagination or foresight on the part of the men around them, from Margaret in Henry VI expertly summarizing the dangers of the factionalism around Henry VI to even Cordelia's choice to be plain and truthful and not flowery and deceptive.  And, in Elizabeth's speeches, she herself had to deal with a lot of second guessing on the part of her councilors,” Ms. Hurd added.

The enormous influence of Queen Elizabeth on Shakespeare is further explored by delving into some of her political writings and speeches. “She was a canny propagandist herself and often published speeches for public consumption to help craft her image,” Ms. Hurd says.

The cast of Shakespeare’s Queens includes ASC veteran actress Elizabeth Belonzi, ASC founding member Cindy Boyle, an ASC newcomer Erica Knight, and Ms. Hurd.

For information, or to make reservations call the ASC at NJCU box office at 201.200.2390 or visit www.ascnj.org.

The West Side Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Large print programs and assisted listening devices are available. Some performances are audio described. Call 201.200.2390 for more information and requests.

Actors Shakespeare Company at NJCU is a professional, classical theater-in- residence on the campus of New Jersey City University. The Company engages the community in clear, vibrant and affordable productions of Shakespeare and other classic works to entertain, educate, and inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds.