The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Their Announces 2010 Season

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has announced its 2010 Season which will begin in June and continue through early January. The 2010 Season marks the company's 48th year and the 20th Anniversary season of Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte, who joined The Shakespeare Theatre (formerly known as The New Jersey Shakespeare Festival) as artistic director in October, 1990.

Under Ms. Monte's leadership, The Shakespeare Theatre has undergone unprecedented programmatic expansion and received national and international acclaim for its work on stage and in the field of education. Ms. Monte, only the second artistic director in the Theatre's 48- year history, oversaw the capital campaign which resulted in the building of the Shakespeare Theatre's home - The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. In 1996, she instituted Shakespeare LIVE!, the Theatre's touring company that brings one hour versions of Shakespeare productions to more than 30,000 students annually. Additional education programs were developed under Ms. Monte's leadership including a professional training program which trains college-age artists, administrators, designers, directors and technicians, side-by-side with professionals during an 11-week intensive each summer; and the Junior/Senior Corps, a summer program for Junior and Senior High School students interested in classical performance.

In celebration of the Theatre's 40th Anniversary in 2002, she began a partnership with the College of St. Elizabeth and launched the Outdoor Stage-a unique second performance venue that attracts thousands of patrons of all ages each summer. Also in 2002, the Geraldine R. Dodge foundation awarded The Shakespeare Theatre a $1 million Strategic Partnership Grant to aid the institution's growing impact and influence.

"I am extremely proud of what The Shakespeare Theatre has become over the past two decades. By bringing to life the work of the world's greatest writers, we touch the lives of more than 100,000 people, young and old, annually. I would like this anniversary year to be a celebration not only of the work we do on our stage, but also of the work we do in the community, in schools, and in training the artists of the future," said Ms. Monte.

The 2010 Season will feature six Main Stage productions as well as a production on the Theatre's Outdoor Stage on the campus of The College of St Elizabeth. Full Season subscriptions are now available and include tickets to all Main Stage productions. For information, or to purchase a subscription, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

"To celebrate 2010, I have brought together a line-up of exciting classic plays with a strong emphasis this year on love and hilarity. I can think of no better way to celebrate my 20th Anniversary than to serve up a season that will delight our audiences and fill the theatre with the sound of laughter," said Bonnie J. Monte.

The 2010 Season begins with one of William Shakespeare's most raucous comedies, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Shakespeare's "anti-romantic" comedy features two wild-spirited, stubborn, untameable people - Petruchio and Katerina - who, over the course of an extraordinary courtship, end up being a most extraordinary couple, tamed by the only force capable of taming them - love. Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte directs THE TAMING OF THE SHREW which runs June 2 through June 27.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey returns to its popular Outdoor Stage, with Carlo Goldoni's zany comedy THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS. A perfect commedia piece for families, THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS will be presented "under-the-stars" at the outdoor amphitheatre on the pastoral campus of The College of St. Elizabeth in Morris Township. THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS runs June 23 through August 1.

Back on the Main Stage is ARMS AND THE MAN, George Bernard Shaw's 1894 comedy, which remains one of the world's most popular plays. Featuring the famous "Chocolate Soldier," ARMS AND THE MAN is a hilarious and delightful "firecracker of a play" satirizing romantic notions of love, war and heroic sentiment. Directed by Associate Artistic Director Joe Discher, ARMS AND THE MAN begins performances on July 7 and runs through August 1.

Harold Pinter's chilling masterpiece THE CARETAKER takes the Main Stage from August 11 through August 29. Pinter's dark comedy was the first of his plays to bring him commercial success and national recognition, and is considered by many to be a modern classic masterpiece. Of its Broadway premiere in 1961, the NY Times said "Harold Pinter has woven a play of strangely compelling beauty and passion. A work of rare originality, The Caretaker will tease and cling to the mind." Bonnie J. Monte directs.

Shakespeare's comedic genius returns to the Main Stage with ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL running September 15 through October 10. Not seen on The Shakespeare Theatre stage in more than a decade, this new vision of Shakespeare's mercurial romance will be directed by longtime company member Stephen Fried.

James Goldman's wickedly biting "domestic comedy" THE LION IN WINTER follows next. Goldman's acerbic comedy of a dysfunctional family dynasty in the year 1183 was nominated for two Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway, and was later made into an Academy Award winning film featuring Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. THE LION IN WINTER will be directed by veteran company member Paul Mullins and runs October 20 through November 14.

To celebrate the Holiday Season, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present the American East Coast premiere of Dodie Smith's British romantic comedy I CAPTURE THE CASTLE. Most famous for her novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE was Ms. Smith's first novel which she then adapted for the stage. This 1930's coming-of-age classic is perfect for family audiences and is full of colorful Bohemian characters, wit, wisdom, a fabulous crumbling castle, and a strong dose of love. Directed by Cameron Watson, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE runs December 1 through January 2.

Advance orders for Complete Works subscriptions, including tickets to all six Main Stage productions, are now being taken. Complete Works subscriptions range in price from $105 for Previews to $378 for Opening Nights. Student subscriptions are available for $60. Call The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office at 973-408-5600. The Complete Works subscription features up to 42% percent savings off the cost of regular tickets, the best seats to all Main Stage productions; free, easy and unlimited ticket exchanges should your schedule change; discounts on additional tickets; and the convenience of having your tickets in hand and dates scheduled in advance. Call the box office at 973-408-5600. Look for more information at www.ShakespeareNJ.org.