JACKSON – Three fan favorites will return in featured roles for the 17th annual Michigan Shakespeare Festival.
Janet Haley, William Irwin, and David Blixt, who have appeared in a combined 16 seasons of The Official Shakespeare Festival of Michigan, will headline a 2011 season that includes Shakespeare classics Much Ado About Nothing and The Winter’s Tale and Moliere’s farcical comedy Tartuffe.
The shows will be performed in rotating repertory from July 14-August 7 in the Baughman Theatre on the campus of Jackson Community College.
“Because we cast for three rather intense classical shows and not for just one role, we weren’t looking for actors who would ‘look good’ in any one role,” explained Janice L. Blixt, who returns for a second season as the Festival’s Artistic Director. “We were looking for versatile, talented, well-trained, really well-spoken actors who could handle the rigors of putting up three major productions in five weeks.”
Other headliners include Alan Ball and Buz Davis, two established regional theatre performers, who will be making their Michigan Shakespeare Festival debuts.
Ball, a 20-year stage veteran with numerous Shakespearean roles to his credit, is concluding a production of The Full Monty this weekend at the Hilberry Repertory Theatre in Detroit. This summer, he is primarily cast as Dogberry in Much Ado, and the title role in Tartuffe.
Davis also has a vast performance resume that includes a portrayal of Leonato in Much Ado last summer for the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. He will offer a different interpretation of that role this summer for the MSF in addition to being featured as Orgon in Tartuffe and Camillo in The Winter’s Tale.
Haley has starred in five previous MSF seasons, most recently as Portia in 2008’s Julius Caesar. This summer, she will portray Ursula in Much Ado, Mme. Pernelle in Tartuffe, and Paulina in Winter’s Tale.
Irwin, who portrayed Stephano in 2009’s The Tempest, is also making his sixth MSF appearance. He is cast as Don Pedro in Much Ado, Cleante in Tartuffe and Polixenes in Winter’s Tale.
Blixt, who met his wife playing Petruchio to her Kate in 2003’s The Taming of the Shrew and starred in the title role of 2007’s Macbeth, will be acting in his eighth MSF season. He has also served as Resident Fight Director for 2010 and as the Fight Choreographer the past two seasons for the Festival’s successful ShortShakes Tour, which will reach nearly 10,000 high school students this spring. Blixt’s featured roles include Benedick in Much Ado and Leontes in Winter’s Tale.
“I think audiences who see multiple shows will be amazed at the versatility of this company,” Janice Blixt said. “Everyone is breaking type at least once.”
Also returning from last season are Rick Eva (Borachio/1st Henchman/Gentleman), Jeffrey Booth Stringer (Verges/2nd Henchman/Antigonus), Wesley Scott (Friar Francis/Loyale/Autolycus), and Brandon St. Clair Saunders (Claudio/King’s Officer/Cleomines).
Matt Andersen, who for the past two springs has played Romeo in the Festival’s High School Tour, makes his summer debut in the roles of Conrad, Valere, and Florizell.
Other newcomers include Christina Flynn (Margaret/Mariane/Perdita), Susaan Jamshidi (Hero/Elmire/Hermione), Jason Philip Kellerman (Don John/Damis/Gentleman), and Saren Nofs-Snyder (Beatrice/Dorine/Aemielia).
“I love that we have such a great mix,” said Janice L Blixt, who will be directing both Shakespeare productions. “It’s an incredibly versatile group.”
Tartuffe will be directed by veteran actor, playwright and director Robert Kauzlaric, who recently directed the world premiere of John Hildreth’s stage adaptation of Treasure Island. Last year, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival commissioned Kauzlaric to create a new adaptation of The Three Musketeers.
Jeromy Hopgood (Technical Director/Scenic Designer) heads a Design and Technical Staff that includes Costume Designers Melanie Schuessler (Tartuffe), Renae Pedersen Skoog (The Winter’s Tale), and Lauren Montgomery (Much Ado), Lighting Designer Brian Scruggs, Composer and Sound Designer Kate Hopgood, Properties Designer Kate Kardiff, Assistant Technical Director Gary Pettit, and Carpenters/Electricians Drew Gansen, and Kylie Hoey.
Equity Stage Manager Stefanie Din will be returning for her third year with assistance from Sara Robinson and Mercedes Coley.