During September, Cleopatra and Antony to play in Pittsburgh’s parks. 

(Note: This post has been updated to reflect casting changes and cast photos.)

PSiP’s 19th season opens with the 10th Annual Week of Will on April 23, featuring staged readings of two comedies, Twelfth Night and the premiere of Shakespeare: First Drafts by Charles David “Stoney” Richards. The Bard’s 459th birthday celebration will begin with a tribute by Mrs. Shakespeare at Oakland’s Shakespeare statue on Sunday, April 23, and Week of Will wraps up with an international online puppet slam as a finale on Saturday, April 29.

Nick Hrutkay stages a one-hour version of Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. PSiP’s production of Twelfth Night takes a tropical twist in this immersive reimagining of mistaken identity, music, and unrequited love. Illyria is a society in limbo, held captive by loss. That is, until a sea-drenched stranger arrives and unexpectedly unleashes the chaotic and transformative power of love. This 60-minute exotic excursion will cause immense joy and compulsion to sing along to tons of fun music, tossing beach balls, and having a cold drink from the bar at a beautiful venue, Soluna in the Strip District. Matt Calvetti serves as music director and musician.

“With Nick Hrutkay at the helm of our abridged version of Twelfth Night, be prepared to immerse yourself in a Jimmy Buffet-esque world replete with bikinis, a wading pool, and drinks with little umbrellas,” says PSiP’s Artistic Director Jennifer Tober.  

Master Classes are all the rage these days. Alan Irvine directs the premiere of Shakespeare: First Drafts, a new one-act by Charles David “Stoney” Richards, who also plays the Bard in this comic take on familiar works. William Shakespeare jumps on the bandwagon, determined to cash in on his several centuries of fame. Will reveals his creative process by staging glimpses into the hilariously rough first attempts at some of his iconic scenes and characters. None of Hamlet, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Richard III worked quite right the first time around—and that was before overly helpful actors and union foremen got their hands on those scripts. 

“We all have to start somewhere.” Stoney Richard says, “That was my inspiration for Shakespeare: The First Drafts.” As actors, writers, directors, and lovers of theatre—no what the finished product—we know it had to start somewhere with the first draft!” 

Richards admits, “A smile crossed my face as I started writing. It’s a comedy from the Bard doing a master class, time shifting in worlds to which we can all relate. It all began with the premise of ‘what if?’ I hope you’ll enjoy it even if only because Will and I share the same hairline!”

“And if you loved Stoney Richards as Bottom in our Midsummer Night’s Dream last year (who didn’t?!),” Tober says, “get ready to be wowed by his original play Think The Complete Works of William Shakespeare meets the British comedy Upstart Crow. A double feature of hilarious Shakespeare with coffee and cocktails. What could be better?”

Actors appearing in the double bill include:

Charles David “Stoney” Richards as Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Shakespeare in his own new play. Jennifer Tober, PSiP artistic director, appears as Duke Orsino then various roles including Romeo in the second play.

The casts also feature: Catherine Baird (Viola, Sebastian/Shylock etc); Harper York (Olivia/Lear, Lady Macbeth, etc); Lexie Hellinger (Feste, Sebastian/Portia, etc); Matt Henderson (Maria/Witch, Prospero, Antonio); Maame Danso  (Andrew Aguecheek/Juliet, Fool, etc); and Bob Colbert (Sir Toby/Macbeth). Actors will appear in a variety of other supporting roles. Matt Calvetti is music director and performs as the musician. 

Tober continues: “And what a stellar cast! Our double bill features many familiar faces of some of the finest talent in Pittsburgh.”

PSiP’s 19th year will honor the life and work of actor Ronald H. Siebert who performed in many Pittsburgh shows and events and at other regional theatre companies. 

“We dedicate our 2023 season to our dear friend Ron Siebert who passed away in December 2022,” says Tober. “Ron graced our stage many times, most notably as King Cymbeline, King Lear, and the Friar in Romeo and Juliet. Ron was a wonderful actor, a great mentor, and a gentle friend to all.”

PSiP’s 19th season continues on weekends in September with Tober directing an all-female cast in Cleopatra and Antony on weekends in September 2023.

Week of Will Events also include the following with moreonline features announced and all event details on Facebook and the PSiP website. Events are free with donations requested with the exception of PSiP’s four evenings at Soluna, Brawling Bard’s Pittsburgh Fringe show, and the Rustic Mechanticals’ Henry IV, Part 1.

Saturday, April 22—The Age of Rebels and Revels (Henry IV, Part 1), by The Rustic Mechanicals, West Virginia’s Shakespeare Troupe. at Northmont Presbyterian Church, 8169 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. $15 general admission. Event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/6505181586182649?ref=newsfeed

Sunday, April 23 – Statue Tribute by Mrs Shakespeare (Yvonne Hudson) with songs, sonnets and stories from the Bard’s wife portrayed by Hudson who founded Week of Will at 12 pm noon on the steps of Carnegie Music Hall, Forbes Avenue, Oakland.

Sunday-Wednesday – April 23, 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 pm Staged readings of Twelfth Night and First Drafts at Soluna as listed above. Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets $35 in advance on Eventbrite via PittsburghShakespeare.org

Thursday, April 27 at 7 pm– I Do in Friendship Counsel: Advice from Mrs Shakespeare

featuring Yvonne Hudson as Anne Hathaway Shakespeare on Zoom. The Bard’s Wife fields questions submitted by PSiP friends and fans. Sign up for Zoom link and ask questions via this form.

Friday-Sunday, April 28, 29, 30  Pittsburgh Fringe Festival – Brawling Bard’s Vendetta in 

Verona at Bantha Tea Bar. Curtain times vary. Festival website.

Saturday, April 29 at 3 pm EST – Ciphers to this Great Accompt; An Annual Shakespeare Puppet Slam. Online  celebration of international puppeteers inspired by Shakespeare. Reserve Zoom link via Eventbrite.

Follow Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks online on Facebook and the website at pittsburghshakespeare.org. 

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https://www.pittsburghshakespeare.com

Categories: Preview, Show Previews

Tags: Jennifer Tober, Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, Shakespeare: First Drafts, Twelfth Night