Repertory theatre is a high-wire act, and Quintessence Theatre is once again taking on William Shakespeare to deliver this epic experience for Philadelphia. Recognized and awarded for both its ‘classics forward’ Shakespeare productions and its repertory work, this is the first time in a decade that the paired productions are written by The Bard.
“Reckless Romance” repertory
Twelve actors will be performing multiple roles in a rotating schedule of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony & Cleopatra in a “Reckless Romance” repertory. The productions are highlighted by casts featuring some of the region’s best actors, including Philadelphia-based classic theatre actor and arts educator Tim Dugan, stage and screen actor Christopher Patrick Mullen, theatre artist and film actor DeAnna S Wright, and veteran actor and director Steven Anthony Wright. Both productions will be directed by Quintessence Producing Artistic Director Alex Burns. The trippy romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream begins previews on February 27 and opens on Saturday, March 15.
The near-mythological love story wrapped in political intrigue, Antony & Cleopatra, begins previews on Wednesday, March 5, and opens on Saturday, March 22.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream asks if love is for the foolish. Four Athenian youths reject their parents’ efforts to interfere in their romantic lives and choose to run away instead of facing the love-limiting laws of the land. Lost in the surrounding wilderness, the lovers stumble upon a fairy kingdom in conflict; a spat between the fairy king and queen so great it threatens to alter the earth’s orbit and suspend its seasons. A group of laborers, secretly rehearsing their play for a royal competition, also wander unwittingly into the middle of the fairy battle. Mayhem ensues, and Shakespeare confirms we can all prove an ass when in love.
Antony & Cleopatra poses the question, can passion topple an empire? Julius Caesar is assassinated, the rebellion foiled, and the Roman Empire is now ruled equally by three men, of which Mark Antony is the most powerful. Stationed in the east, Mark Antony summons Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, to demand submission, but instead, Antony is subdued by Cleopatra’s beauty, wit, and charm. Heart tied to Cleopatra, Antony neglects his wife and empire, the man of war surrendering to a life of decadence, seduction, and the pleasures of Egypt. Torn between desire and duty, will the eternity in their eyes and in their lips create a new global power, or will Antony and Cleopatra’s passions lead to the fall of the empire?
Each of the 12 cast members play at least one role in each show, with some appearing in multiple roles in one or both plays. Returning actors to Quintessence are: DeAnna S Wright (Flyin West), Tim Dugan (Cyrano de Bergerac), Christopher Patrick Mullen (Macbeth), Steven Anthony Wright (Kiss Me Kate, The Fantasticks, Father Comes Home From the Wars Parts I, II, and III), Ivana Thompson (Father Comes Home From the Wars Parts I, II, and III, The Owl and the Pussycat and Other Nonsense), Sarah Stryker (The Owl & The Pussycat and Other Nonsense), Gabriel Elmore (Major Barbara and No Exit, Cyrano de Bergerac), Lee Thomas Cortopassi (Macbeth, Cyrano de Bergerac, Major Barbara) and Zachary Valdez (Macbeth). New to Quintessence are Rafi Mills and Tyler S. Elliot.
Quintessence founder and artistic director Alex Burns directs both shows in addition to serving as the set and sound designer.
If You Go
The full repertory schedule runs from Feb. 27 to April 27. All performances take place at the historic Sedgwick Theater (7137 Germantown Avenue), a flexible black box theater. Tickets start at $35, with premium seats available starting at $45. Tickets at www.quintessencetheatre.org
Theatregoers enjoy Pay-What-You-Can tickets for Antony & Cleopatra on March 5. Repertory ticket bundles will be available and patrons may use discount code DOUBLEUP to save on any General Admission tickets when they purchase both productions.
Quintessence is located at 7137 Germantown Ave. Patrons can call the Box Office at 215-987-4450, or purchase tickets in-person at the Box Office Mon-Fri, noon – 5PM, at the Sedgwick Theater, located at 7137 Germantown Ave., Phila., PA 19119.
About Quintessence Theatre
Founded in 2010, the award-winning Quintessence Theatre is dedicated to bringing epic works of classic drama and literature to the contemporary stage.
As Philadelphia’s text-based, actor-focused repertory theatre, Quintessence re-envisions the classics to inspire our community to consider what is essential in theatre and in human nature.
Quintessence is now in its 15th season at the Sedgwick Theater in Philadelphia’s Northwest neighborhood of Mt. Airy, and is led by Producing Artistic Director, Alex Burns and Executive Director, Erica Ezold. The company has recently purchased the historic Sedgwick Theater with ongoing plans to preserve and renovate it.
Public and street parking is available throughout the Mt. Airy neighborhood.