About the Festival
Welcome
From John Neville-Andrews, Artistic Producer
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2008 Season! We're presenting the ever-popular JULIUS CAESAR, Shakespeare's artful exploration of conspiracy, corruption, and the abuse of power, directed by Gillian Eaton. I will direct the romance comedy, ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, replete with its soaring poetry and beautiful imagery. These two Shakespeare productions are coming to the stage of Jackson Community College's Baughman Theater for two weeks in July. For the first time, the two plays will then go on the road to a theatre in Grand Rapids during the first week in August. As we are proud to be designated The Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, it seems only fitting that we share our productions with other cities throughout the state, and theatre-loving Grand Rapids is a great place to start that venture.
To complement the Festival's residence at JCC in Jackson, MI, while the Shakespeare plays are in Grand Rapids, another production will be offered for one week at JCC. This year it will be THE MIKADO, presented by the Michigan Shakespeare Festival in cooperation with the University of Michigan's Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.
Our family show will be the fascinating THREE SPINNING FAIRIES, an adaptation of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, directed by Sean Harmon. This engrossing and highly entertaining play is about a young girl who wants to marry a prince, but is not allowed to do so until she has spun a huge load of flax. Problem is, she doesn't know how to spin. To the rescue come three spinning fairies. However, when the wedding day arrives, the young girl reveals that she had help spinning the flax; it is then that the three fairies save the day by spinning a yarn or two of their own. This delightful parable is suitable for all ages, and has a heroine with whom everyone can identify.
Back this year (by popular demand!) will be the BARD TALKS -- lively, informative and interactive sessions that will enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the Shakespeare plays before you see them. They are conducted by the engaging Dr. Kirk Hendershott-Kraetzer, distinguished Shakespeare scholar. And, of course, check out the TALK BACK dates. These spirited post-show discussions with actors and directors have proven to be extremely popular, where the exchange of opinions, ideas, praise and criticism, energize and enlighten audiences and artists alike.
With such a rich and full menu of compelling, entertaining and vigorous offerings, I'm confident this will be one of our most successful and fulfilling seasons ever. Please join us, as we take you to Rome, Italy and Roussillion, France, with the Shakespeare plays, and transport you to Germany with a tale from the Brothers Grimm -- all without a visa or passport, no security check needed, and no reason to leave Michigan -- no hassle required, just your welcome attendance at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival!
