Shenandoah Shakespeare Express Sets Seven Performances
in Centenary's Marjorie Lyons Playhouse April 10-16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (3/96)
Contact: Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service
318/869-5120 or 869-5709
lstewart@beta.centenary.edu

SHREVEPORT, LA -- The Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, an 11-member professional touring company, will present seven public performances at Centenary College during the group's visit April 10-16.

It will mark the fifth campus visit for the SSE, which has developed a national reputation for simple, fresh, fine theater. New this year, however, is a company member from Shreveport. She is Heather Peak, a 1995 Centenary graduate, who appeared in many Marjorie Lyons Playhouse productions, including Dancing at Lughnasa, Hamlet, I Hate Hamlet and Lips Together, Teeth Apart.

SSE promotional material describes Peak as "a proud Southerner hailing from Shreveport" and says that "having been a fan of the SSE for four years, she is shocked and thrilled to be living a dream -- but please don't pinch her."

Last fall Peak joined the company, which is based in Harrisonburg, Va., and dedicates itself to performances of Shakespeare that adhere to the original production elements for which Shakespeare wrote.

The plays to be presented at 7:30 p.m. each day of the visit, in the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, are: As You Like It -- April 10, 13 and 15; Julius Caesar -- April 11; and Henry V -- April 12 and 16. An afternoon performance of Julius Caesar is also scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13.

A special post-performance reception will be held after the April 10 performance, offering a chance to visit with cast members at a buffet reception in Hamilton Hall. The $27.50 cost includes a ticket to that evening's performance and admission to the buffet-reception. Proceeds from the event will support future SSE visits to Centenary.

Ticket prices for performances only are $12 for adults, $10 seniors, $7.50 students and $5 for children 12 and under. Educational group discounts are available. Seating is general admission.

Tickets are available through the Centenary English Department from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. April 1-4, 8-12 and 15-16. For information and reservations call the English Department at 869-5254 or visit the department office in Room 307 of Jackson Hall.

Tickets will also be available at the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse immediately prior to each performance.

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