‘Anne Frank’ coming to Shakespeare Theatre of NJ
A 21st century work and a 20th century icon — Anne Frank — will both be seen on the main stage of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in 2015.
The new season from the award-winning professional group, recently honored as “Company of the Year” by The Wall Street Journal, is a little light on Shakespeare. Only one of the namesake playwright’s works will be seen this year on the indoor F.M. Kirby Theatre stage at Drew University in Madison, and that won’t be until Dec. 2, when “The Merry Wives of Windsor” adds some comedy to the holiday season.
Shakespeare, however, will turn up again at the Kirby in the form of a character in a rare contemporary play produced by the company, which normally focuses on the classical canon. Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte, celebrating her 25th year at the helm, is making an exception this year for the New Jersey premiere of Bill Cain’s “Equivocation.”
“Equivocation” is a fictional imagining of the events surrounding the famous Gunpowder Plot that pulls Shakespeare and his company of players into a complex examination of truth, art and family. With Shakespeare as the main character (called “Shagspeare” in the play), this recent work has delighted not only Shakespeare-lovers, but also history buffs, conspiracy theorists and political junkies. The play, directed by company veteran Paul Mullins, will run from Sept. 16 to Oct. 4.
The Bard will also be heard on the outdoor stage at the College of St. Elizabeth, where the company will trot out another Shakespeare comedy, “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” from June 17 to July 26.
Monte will open her silver anniversary season by directing another 20th-century gem, “The Royal Family,” by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber. This Tony-Award-winning American tale, running from May 27 to June 21, celebrates three generations of a theatrical family, loosely based on Barrymores.
“While many, many changes, both visible and invisible, have occurred here since my arrival so long ago, one thing has never changed: our deep belief in the power and importance of the art of live theater, and the joy and enlightenment that it delivers to the human soul,” Monte said in a release announcing the new season.
The main-stage continues July 8 to 26 with “The Guardsman,” early-20th century Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár’s romantic comedy about the obstacles to marital bliss, followed by George Bernard Shaw’s “The Misalliance,” running Aug. 5 to 30.
“Diary of Anne Frank,” following “Equivocation” and running from Oct. 14 to Nov. 21, will offer school-time matinees for students during it’s extended run. Company veteran Joe Discher returns to direct this Pulitzer Prize-winning play, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman.
“The Merry Wives of Windsor” will run through Dec. 27 and conclude the season.
Special events begin next month with “From Galway to Broadway” at 7:30 p.m. on March 5. This St. Patrick’s Day warmup will feature acclaimed tenor Ciáran Sheehan (“Phantom of the Opera”) and Broadway veteran Gwen Eagleton performing a medley of traditional Irish songs, Broadway standards, and pop tunes. Tickets start at $20.
The company also will celebrate and honor Monte’s contributions and leadership at its annual gala on April 25.
For more information tickets and discount ticket plans, call 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.
Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-428-6627; wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com.