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Thursday, October 3, 2019

HALLOWEEN MEANS “DR. FAUSTUS” @ VARIOUS NJ LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT OCTOBER

Now as we creep into the Halloween season, Hudson Shakespeare Company of Jersey City, returns with

Doctor Faustus
by Christopher Marlowe

ADMISSION:  free

WHEN: Saturday, October 5th @ 2pm
WHERE
: Library of the Chathams, 214 Main St, Chatham, NJ 07928

WHEN: Sunday, October 6th @ 1pm
WHERE:
Hamilton Park, 9th Street and Jersey Avenue, Jersey City

WHEN: Tuesday, October 8th @ 7pm
WHERE:
Kenilworth Public Library, 548 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ 07033

WHEN: Wednesday, October 9th @ 7pm
WHERE
: Westfield Memorial Library, 550 E Broad St, Westfield, NJ 07090

WHEN: Thursday, October 10th @ 7pm
WHERE:
South River Library, 55 Appleby Ave, South River, NJ 08882

WHEN: Thursday, October 17th @ 7pm
WHERE:
Secaucus Library, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd, Secaucus, NJ 07094

WHEN: Saturday, October 19th @ 2pm
WHERE
: Johnson Library, 274 Main St, Hackensack, NJ 07601

WHEN: Sunday, October 20th @ 2pm
WHERE:
Summit Library, 75 Maple St, Summit, NJ 07901

WHEN: Monday, October 21st @ 7pm
WHERE:
Fairfield Free Public Library, 261 Hollywood Ave, Fairfield, NJ 07004

WHEN: Thursday, October 24th @ 6:30pm
WHERE:
Hoboken Library, 500 Park Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030

WHEN: Saturday, October 26th @ 2pm
WHERE:
Union County Library

WHEN: Wednesday, October 30th @ 7pm
WHERE:
Cranford Public Library, 224 Walnut Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016

THE PLAY

The story of Doctor Faustus is a well-known story of a man who sells his soul to the Devil for ultimate knowledge and power but is presented here in an over looked gem from Shakespeare’s period, written by a rival playwright and his possible collaborator, Christopher Marlowe.

“Its an extremely theatrical script that’s perfect for Halloween full of music, devils, angels, sword fights, and dances”, said Jon Ciccarelli, the show’s director.

THE STORY

Doctor Faustus (Zach Hendrickson) has been a scholar and professor at the University of Wertenberg, Germany for many years and has mastered all areas of study from medicine to the law and religious studies. Now he seeks the ultimate challenge of delving into the occult so he can learn the true mysteries of the universe and become master of it.

Clandestinely, he employs the help of two mystics simply known as Valdes (Sabrina Fara Tosti) and Cornelia (Ashley Robyn Patten) to assist him. Faustus is instructed to conduct a séance to summon Mephistopheles (Sean P. McCullough).

Mephistopheles, with horns and wings, dramatically appears and informs Faust all that he desires can be obtained if he signs a contract with Lucifer. Once signed, Mephistopheles will become his personal servant conjuring anything and taking him wherever he wants. Faust, ever the lawyer, writes up his version of the agreement and the bond is sealed.

Mephistopheles creates visions of sex, riches, and desires but Faust’s main interest in knowing the nature of Hell, and the nature of the existence constantly quizzing the frustrated demon.

The pair go traveling around the world from Rome to Turkey and other points becoming renowned as a mystic however, even as Faust enjoys his new found fame, he begins to question his contract. His own personal Good Angel (MadisonWright) and Bad Angel (Arielle Legere) literally fight for Faust’s soul. As the years pass and each magical display occurs, a physical toll is taken on Faustus. Can he repent in time and save himself or is bound down the path he has chosen?

“The act of selling of one’s soul for personal gain is an ever popular screen trope that even predates Marlowe’s play, but this version presents Faust as very human as opposed to a mustache twirling villain. He has a genuine curiosity of what he can’t learn in books and continually questions the demons and angels that surround him about what they are and what it means to be good or evil. The show presents a great picture of a man who’s full of regret, has humor, arrogance, and wit, flaws and all mixed with a high level of theatricality,” said Ciccarelli

HUDSON SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

The Hudson Shakespeare Company of Jersey City is a touring theater company founded in 1992 and has produced over a

100 classical and modern productions for parks, libraries, and other civic venues. Doctor Faustus marks the end of its 28th touring season. For more information on this tour or to view information on the company and past productions visit www.hudsonshakesepare.com.