Judith Shakespeare Company presents RICHARD 3

June 5-26, 2004 at TADA Theatre, 15 W. 28th Street, NYC

The award-winning JUDITH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, now in its ninth season, is proud to present its long-awaited full production of Shakespeare’s Richard 3, June 5-26 at TADA Theatre (15 W. 28th Street, 2nd Floor). JSC’s Artistic Director Joanne Zipay directs. Tickets are $19 - call 212-592-1885 for reservations. This production is made possible with the generous support of Mr. Charles Bockwith, the New York State Council on the Arts, and our individual donors.

In this Fiftieth Anniversary Year of Rock-and-Roll, Ms. Zipay has envisioned a Richard 3 set in a plugged-in, high voltage, sex-drugs-and-rock-and-roll world – inhabited by the decadent, the rebellious, and the violent. Richard 3 will crown and complete JSC’s “Shakespeare Unplugged” History Cycle which has been presented in chronological order over the past three seasons, featuring women in all the title roles. This series of eight plays (Richard 2, Henry 4 Parts 1&2, Henry 5, Henry 6 Parts 1-2-3, Richard 3), follows the struggles for the English crown for over 100 years.

An original rock score composed and played live at each performance by composer/electric guitarist Mike Clemente will be an integral part of the production. The multi-level, metal scaffold set design is by Jason Ardizzone-West, the edgy, contemporary costumes are designed by Lea Umberger, with a dramatic rock show lighting design by Colin D. Young. Elizabeth Mozer directs the specialized movement with fight choreography by Dan O’Driscoll.

Richard 3 features special guest artist Gail Cronauer (JFK, Boys Don’t Cry, The Newton Boys, Flesh and Bone, Born on the 4th of July, Positive ID…) in the leading role of the murderous crook-backed king. Gender-blind casting is employed for the rest of the cast, which includes: Laurie Bannister-Colón, Bruce Barton, Zack Calhoon, Jovinna Chan, Ivanna Cullinan, Emma Devine-Warman, Lindsey Harrison, Mary E. Hodges, David Huber, Assiatou Lea, Dunaugh MacSweeney, Marcia Montané, Jan-Peter Pedross, Vanessa Shealy, Jane Titus, Alison White, Eric Emmanuel Wilson, and Raymond Wortel.

Judith Shakespeare Company, founded in 1995, is committed to bringing Shakespeare's language to life with clarity and vitality, while expanding the presence of women in classical theatre. JSC won a 1996 OOBR Award, has been featured on national television’s Lifetime Live, and recently The British Theatre Guide proclaimed of the company’s work: “…a passion and mastery of the text which is awe-inspiring!” This production of Richard 3 marks JSC’s completion of exactly half of Shakespeare’s canon of 38 plays!