SHAKESPEARE'S 447TH

CAST is presenting its fourth annual production of "A Shakespeare Celebration", a tribute to the Bard of Stratford-Upon-Avon marking his birthdate, April 23, 1564. Our production will play May 6th and 7th, 8 PM at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport. The SLPC is Rockport Music's exquisite new concert hall in the center of town and overlooking Sandy Bay.
Considering the venue, this year's theme will be scenes  featuring music and song, with original compositions by Rebecca Shrimpton and also traditional Elizabethan pieces. Some of the dances from our production of "The Tempest", directed by Ray Jenness, and choreographed by Sarah Fader will also be performed. Along with the scenes, music, dance, and songs, several of the sonnets will be performed by Michael McNamara. Directors are Ray Jenness, Nick Neyeloff and Joseph Stiliano, the artistic dirrector and founder of CAST.
Tickets are $15, general; $10, student; $5, youth 18 years and under. They are available starting April 1st at the SLPC box office at 35 Main Street, reserved at cast2008@prodigy.net or at the door at the time of performance.

CAST On The Air

Listen for an interview by Aureila Nelson with Ray Jenness and Joseph Stiliano on North Shore 104.9 FM, at 9 AM, Sunday February 20, 2011. Or on your computer at http://www.northshore1049.com/

CAST's Tempest - The Musical

 Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe's coming production of "The Tempest" will feature an original musical score composed by musician/vocalist and New England Conservatory teacher, Rebecca Shrimpton.

Incorporating Music into the Play
 
When director, Ray Jenness, decided upon "The Tempest", one of the things he wanted was to bring the many songs and incidental music to the fore:

"To Shakespeare and his audience, the dance of life and the music of the spheres were very real elements in the world as they knew it. Some of his fellow players were accomplished singers and musicians and Shakespeare's final play is filled with songs and musical sounds", says Jenness.

Rebecca Shrimpton, Composer

Finding an Organic Sound
 
Shakespeare wrote lyrics for eight songs in the play, and there are stage directions for instrumental music, including a formal dance scene. The action takes place on Prospero's island, rich with magic, mystery and nature and the director and composer wanted to evoke its other-worldly qualities.

"We needed instruments that would sound organic to such a place", explained Rebecca Shrimpton, "so we chose voice, recorder, guitar, bodhran and a variety of hand percussion, played by Olivia Gale, Kevin Quinn and myself."

The Inspiration of Ariel

"In writing the melodies for the songs, I was largely inspired by the characters themselves", continued Shrimpton. "Much of the music is centered around the ethereal and playful sprite, Ariel, whose strange and haunting songs are meant to enchant and bewilder other characters. In this production, Ariel is able to divide into multiple beings (staged by a group of dancers), so I thought it would be fun if Ariel played duets with him/herself on voice and recorder. The rest of the music includes boisterous drinking songs, a stately dance, a tender love theme, and, finally, a merry jig to send everyone home dancing."

Performance Dates

Thursday, February 24 - Saturday, February 26 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 27 at 3 p.m.

The Gorton Theatre (Home of the Gloucester Stage Company).

How to Purchase Tickets
 
Tickets are $15 (General) and $10 (Student) and may be reserved at cast2008@prodigy.net or purchased at the door.

Youth tickets (18 years and younger) are $5 and are available only at the door.

Learn More
 
Check out behind the scenes coverage of the production on CAST's Facebook page. 

NEXT PRODUCTION

THE TEMPEST

February 24, 25, 26 @ 8 PM; 27 @ 3 PM

Gorton Theatre

(Home of the Gloucester Stage Company)

267 East Main Street, Gloucester

         The Tempest is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays and also, the most abused by modern directors and producers. Over the last fifty years, this evocative fantasy has often been used in performance as a metaphor for all sorts of political and cultural agendas. Too often, lately, Caliban has been made the focus of the story !! I want to get back to Shakespeare's original intent, which was entertaining an audience.

       With Prospero's magic at the center of things and the use of dance and music to heighten the emotional experience, I'd like audiences to leave the theater feeling transported and uplifted by a wonderful what-if- all-things-are-possible ride.

Ray Jenness, Director

Cast

Boatswain - Steve Aiello

Adrian - Beth Bevins

Ferdinand - David Cluett

Ariel - Sarah Fader

Miranda - Mia Formichella

Antonio - Travis Joyce

Alonso - Beebe Nelson

Ship's Master - Duncan Nelson

Sebastian - Marc Nelson

Caliban - Nick Neyeloff

Prospero - Jim Robinson

Gonzalo - Joseph Stiliano

Francisco - Ken Stoeffler

Trinculo - Elinor Teele

Stephano - Steve Turner



Fall Production

SEASON 2010-2011

"The Two Gentlemen Of Verona" - one woman, three men, something's got to give - November 18 - 21, 2010 at the Gorton Theatre (Home of the Gloucester Stage Company)

"The Tempest" - before there was "Lost"; magic and mystery with intelligence - February24 - 27, 2011 at the Gorton Theatre,

"A Shakespeare Celebration" - Scenes, Sonnets, Songs: mark the Bard of Straford's birthday with words and music - May 6 and 7, 2011 at the stunning new Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport

TBA, May 20,21, 22, & 27,28,29, 2011 at the newly renovated Rockport Community House.

CAST Benefit Dinner at Alchemy

Please join us for an evening of great food and entertainment at one of the North Shore's finest restaurants. Included in the price of the dinner are wines and a ticket to a performance of Measure For Measure at the Gorton Theatre.