Virginia Shakespeare Festival
In 1753, the Hallam troupe, having broken with London's New Wells Theatre, arrived in Williamsburg to present The Merchant of Venice, the first professional production of Shakespeare in the New World.
In 2012 the Virginia Shakespeare Festival celebrates its 34th annual season. We invite you to join us in this venerable tradition of the Bard in the 'Burg, this year in the intimate 130 seat Studio Theatre while our main stage is undergoing needed renovations.
2012 SEASON
THE TWO GENTLEMAN OF VERONA
by William Shakespeare
June 13– July 8
Love abounds here in both Verona and Milan, where best friends Proteus and Valentine are inseparable, that is until they both fall head over heels for the same girl. One of Shakespeare's earliest and funniest works features a girl dressed as a guy, two wiley servants to attend the two love-struck boys and.... a dog (yes, a real dog) as the main characters. Steven Breese (Romeo & Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing) stages this production that's great for kids and parents alike. It's a fast moving farce (one of Shakespeare's shortest) and contagious canine comedy.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
July 12 – July 29
We return to our roots as VSF presents the show that originated Shakespeare in the New World. "The quality of mercy is not strained" in this production but it is a match for the ages as our indomitable heroine (Portia) is set against the craftiest of unsociable opponents (Shylock). A comedy or a tragedy? A romance or a battle of wits? This show is a bit of everything with surprising humor and pulse-pounding suspense. John Ammerman, loved by VSF audiences for his work as Macbeth, Jaques, and Sir Thomas More, returns to play the inscrutable Shylock in Artistic Director Christopher Owens' staging.
Get detailed information about the 2012 performance schedule and ticket information. Tickets go on sale January 25, 2012.
You can purchase tickets online! Performances are Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, Sunday afternoons at 2pm. Special Performance of The Two Gentlemen of Verona on Tuesday, July 3 - see performance schedule for details.
