Community News

Theater At Monmouth selected for NEA Shakespeare in American communities

	Jeri Pitcher and Jeffrey Thomas performing in the theatre at Monmouth's 2003 production of Julius Caesar. Photo courtesy of Simon's Photographic.

Maine's Theater At Monmouth is one of 22 theatre companies across the country selected to be part of the National Endowment for the Arts' Shakespeare in American Communities program. The theater - designated by the Maine Legislature as The Shakespearean Theater of Maine - is a year-round repertory company of professional theater artists from across Maine and the United States.

As part of the endowment's Shakespeare program, The Theater At Monmouth will mount a full-length production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, which will be perform for students across the region. The show will tour with a company of 14 professional actors and technicians, and is scheduled to be available in the early part of 2005.

Producing director David Greenham says being selected to take part in the Shakespeare program is a great opportunity for the Theater At Monmouth, and for the students who will have the opportunity to see a professional productions of a Shakespearean play.

"We're very proud to be included in this program with so many prestigious theaters throughout the country," said Greenham.

The theater's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor is set in Brooklyn in the 1950s. The entire show takes place on the sidewalk near Coney Island, in front of storefronts with apartments above. Greenham says Master Ford is somewhat like Ralph Kramden and Page is a "Norton-esque" deli-owner. Falstaff is a local wiseguy with a love of the fast life. The show is interspersed with live doo-wop music.

The 2004 season will mark the Theater At Monmouth's 35th year of performances. Their season includes a spring tour of a play for children, a summer season of five plays in repertory with several special events and a fall production of an operetta or musical.

For more information on the program visit www.shakespeareinamericancommunities.org/about/history.html.

For tickets call 207/933-9999, or visit http://www.theateratmonmouth.org.