"THE COMEDY OF ERRORS" has closed and all costumes, set pieces, and props have been put away, and now, after the dust has settled we can look back on a highy successful run of our first production of our 16th Season. Many thanks to all the artists whose hard work and inspiration went into this very popular production. (see pic of Doc Coates as Egeon in the failed electrocution scene)

 

Kerry Lengel of the Arizona Republic wrote " 'Errors' hits funny bone…..This production, the season opener at Mesa's Southwest Shakespeare Company, features winning performances from its four leads. As the twin Antipholuses, Dan Good and Jesse James Kamps affect a Kevin Kleinish charm as they merrily abuse the two Dromios (Matt Rosin and Peter Good). Dawn Rochelle Tucker, a Southwest Shakespeare newcomer, is another standout."

 

Our student shows filled up and we beat all projections on their ticket sales. Students really loved this show. We got many, many letters from them, all glowing. Here are a just a few excerpts from the high school students:

 

"At first when I heard I was going to see a Shakespeare play I thought it was going to be super boring but it wasn't. As soon as I was done reading the play, then saw it and my rating for the play went up big time!"

 

"The play isn't exactly what I pictured (in a good way). I thought it was going to be a little bit boring but I had a really wonderful time and I thought it was very funny."

 

"I think Shakespeare is really cool."

 

"This is the best play I have ever seen."

 

These folks can be brutally honest, and we do appreciate their enjoyment of "The COMEDY OF ERRRORS." If you did,too, or missed the show entirely, please come to see our next offering, "THE COMPLEAT WORKS OF WLLM SHKSPR (abridged)" with Pete Good, Michael Bailey, and Jon Gentry.  If you thought COMEDY was amusing...wait until you get a load of this one. But hurry--- the first two weekends are already selling out!

CONGRATULATIONS to all of the artists who received AriZoni Award Nominations for their work last season. SSC received 18 nominations overall, indicating, I believe, recognition of one of our most successful seasons ever.

Tartuffe---Best Overall Production
The Winter's Tale-- Best Overall Production
Andi Watson--- Actress in a Major Role for Tartuffe
Kaitlin O'Neal--- Actress in a Major Role for The Merchant of Venice
Richard Baird---Actor in a Major Role for The Winter's Tale, Othello, and Tartuffe
Andi Watson---Actress in a Supporting Role for The Merchant of Venice
Jason Barth---Actor in a Supporting Role for As You Like It
Rolando Zee---Actor in a Supporting Role for The Merchant of Venice
Kimb Williamson---Best Scenic Design for The Merchant of Venice
Michael H. Waid--- Best Costume Design for Tartuffe, The Merchant of Venice
Paul A. Black---Best Lighting Design for The Merchant of Venice
Andi Watson---Best Hair and Make-up for Othello, Tartuffe, The Merchant of Venice
[yours truly is truly grateful for recognition as a Best Director Nominee for
The Merchant of Venice.]

Anyone who knows our company and has followed us over the years knows that Southwest Shakespeare Company continues to pursue excellence on our stages and is in continual quest of raising the bar on our work. Year-in, and year-out we seek to field the best and the brightest in classical actors and to give them the golden opportunity of performing the greatest characters ever conceived-- written by the greatest playwright in the English language.

We start rehearsals for THE COMEDY OF ERRORS very soon. I am getting very excited as we have a crew of enormously talented new faces, as well as many old favorites, that our audiences will see on our stages! Get your tickets now as COMEDY will be a hot ticket!
More news soon.....
Jared