Rollicking Fun and Serious Consideration at Renaissance Now Theatre & Film
NYC Shakespeare Festival: July 1-5 at the Chain Theatre.
Renaissance Now presents a festival of three events: two Shakespeare plays, Measure for Measure and The Tempest, and an original rendering of Shakespeare’s finest speeches “Sometimes Shakespeare says it All”. Rollicking comedy and magic of The Tempest is balanced by the wonderfully insightful and relevant Measure for Measure. Both plays, written late in Shakespeare’s life, represent a culminating maturity in depth and theme. The plays preview on July 2, and play through July 6, with Hamilton Clancy’s brilliant “Sometimes Shakespeare Says It All” performing once on July 1st. Performances held at the Chain Theatre’s 4th floor 66-seat house. Tickets and discounts are generous, making the project yet more accessible.
In the Company’s “Now speak,” the characters come to life, utilizing modern text, to clarify and express the relevant modern themes in the classic Shakespeare text. This festival follows the former tours of Hamlet & Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Chain Theatre, and MacBeth ReDux at Theatre Row & The Diaries of Romeo & Juliet at New Perspectives Theatre Company venue. The Tempest is produced in a classical period setting, while Measure for Measure is set contemporarily, rendering relevant many current socio/political issues. The production of The Tempest is set as it was written, during the Jacobean Renaissance period, a time when the voyages & discoveries in the new world is thought to have inspired this tale set on a remote Mediterranean island.
About Sometimes Shakespeare Says It All
Tuesday night only, July 1st at 7:30 pm the festival presents "Sometimes Shakespeare Says It All." This unique production is a collaborative effort, brought to you as a co-production with Kathy Curtiss, Renaissance Now and The Drilling Company. Led by Hamilton Clancy, known for his performances Off-Broadway at the American Place Theatre and Playwrights Horizons, Hamilton has been a vibrant presence on the New York cultural scene for over 30 years as both an actor and theater maker, as well as a grassroots innovator. He has been featured in many films and TV shows, including "Orange Is the New Black," "Billions," "Blue Bloods," and others.
In this performance, Hamilton weaves together an unforgettable tapestry of international characters and emotions, allowing the audience to experience Shakespeare's wisdom from a fresh perspective.an extraordinary workshop event that brings together the finest speeches from the Bard's timeless works.
About Measure for Measure
Shakespeare’s play Measure for Measure, offers diverse perspectives on both social and moral behavior. This rendition employs gender shifts to create a dynamic comparison of male and female power, as the Duke (played by a female, Yulissa Torres) turns over power to a trusted agent, Angelo, (played by Kolby Jenkins) to observe the real condition of the society they govern. Hence, the Duchess to go into hiding to watch the public, enriching her perspective on the social/political climate in Vienna at a time of hotbed debate, where, because of the debate, lives are at stake. Isabella, a novice studying to become a nun, played by Sasha Haydn Wilkinson, fights for her brother, Claudio, played by Seth Johnson, whose life is forfeit for the pregnancy of his sweetheart Juliet, played by Grace Fillmore. Ancient edicts are resurrected by the Duchess’s agent Angelo who exacts strict adherence to the law in the Duchess’s absence. This tight cast of 9 characters play multiple comedic and dramatic roles, as the parade of citizens and their responses to the rule of law come into focus. Important supporting characters are played by Joel Applegate, Ethan Freestone, Oliver Estrada Brown, and Carter McEwan. This production will utilize Steven Rimke & Sonja Hugo’s adaptation with passages of contemporary expression to emphasize an exploration of these themes. The modern dress setting is full of recognizable contemporary types. This production works to address social issues of our time, including concerning modern social and political divides. With the Duke, (Duchess) in hiding, there is room for wonderful humor, as well as the serious consideration of these concerns.
About The Tempest
During the rule of King James, the era of Shakespeare’s later writing, the British court, experienced a heightened period of seafaring exploration, and was presented with a steady stream of people, creatures, and plant life from the Americas that, no doubt, caught the Bard’s attention. The Tempest, thought to be Shakespeare’s final work, is set on such a remote island, with strange magical creatures, along with wonderfully human and comedic characters. Prospero, subject to a devastating political coup, has been marooned with his daughter for 12 years a remote Mediterranean island. Scholar that his is, here he studies the powers of the island, gaining control of the elements, which gives him power to raise the Tempest that wrecks the passing ship, thus forcing his enemies on board into a reconciliation. What happens is unexpected, as their mishaps lead to a self-discovery that works redemption for all, including the sorcerer himself.
The play features Marvin Payne in the lead. This seasoned actor, also known for lifetime renown as an innovative and inspirational recording star, plays Prospero, who along with his tricksy spirit Ariel, played by Sasha Hadyn Wilkinson (also singer and composer), bring creativity to the production’s music. Prospero and his daughter Miranda, played by Sonja Hugo, find themselves in “a brave new world,” of powers among magical spirits creatures never imagined, including the beast-like Caliban, played by Oliver Estrada Brown. When fate brings the political rivals, King Alonso, played by Joel Applegate; Gonzalo, played by Kolby Jenkins; and Prospero’s brother Antonio, played by Houston Baker, across Prospero’s path on a voyage, the Tempest he raises to wreck them brings this conflict to a new climax. The comic duo of Stephano (drunken butler), played by Carter McEwan, and Trinculo (jester), played by Ethan Freestone get into comedic scrapes and serious trouble as they plot with Caliban to take over the island. This adaptation includes the “Now speak” monologues that sharpen the themes for the modern audience. Recognizable in the characters are contemporary vices of obsession and the potential corruption inherent in the wielding of power. The hopeful arch of the play explores the value of knowledge and deep study as we approach any topic, and ultimately, how we can redeem the time lost, since we are all vulnerable to human error.
Production information
The production features costume design by Asriel Jensen and Jennifer Thornton, direction by Kathy Curtiss, and Sonja Hugo, with Voice & Text by Steven Rimke. The lighting by Rychard Curtiss, Sound design by Patch Olsen & Rychard Curtiss, on the season’s repertory set. Original adaptations by Kathy Curtiss, and Sonja Hugo & Steven Rimke.
Performance:
July 1, 7:30 pm
“Sometimes Shakespeare Says It All” One-Man Shakespeare performance by Hamilton Clancy
Co-Produced by Renaissance Now and The Drilling CompaNY for New Works.
PRESS Previews:
July 2nd , Wednesday: The Tempest at 3 pm, and Measure for Measure at 7 pm
Performances:
July 3rd, Thursday: The Tempest at 7 pm
July 4th Friday: Measure for Measure at 7 pm,
July 5th Saturday: Measure for Measure at 3 pm, and The Tempest at 7 pm
Performing at the Chain, 4th floor (65-seat theatre)
312 W. 36th st. NY, NY
Ticket prices: $20 General admission, $10 Student/Senior
$5 (Press) Previews