Traveling Troupe Brings Shakespeare to Centenary

SHREVEPORT, La. (Centenary News Service) — The American Shakespeare Center—On Tour, the touring arm of the American Shakespeare Center and the Blackfriars Playhouse, brings its Restless Ecstasy Tour to the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on the Centenary College campus Monday, Feb. 28 through Thursday, March 3.

ASC

The traveling troupe will perform three of William Shakespeare's classic tales, including As You Like It, Macbeth and Measure for Measure.

Standard ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and military, $10 for students with ID and children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, located at the corner of Woodlawn Ave and Wilkinson. For more information call the box office at 318.869.5242.

Direct from the stage of the American Shakespeare Center's celebrated Blackfriars Playhouse, the world's only re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre, the American Shakespeare Center On Tour boasts nearly two decades worth of global touring experience. This elite troupe stands as one of America's foremost providers of quality entertainment to performing and fine arts centers on both sides of the Atlantic.

"We scour the country for the right 10-12 actors to perform all these roles in all of these plays," said ASC Artistic Director Jim Warren. "Not only do we look for the right talent to do these shows in true rotating repertory (a great lost joy in today's theatre world), but we've also looked for personalities we think will gel into a dynamic, well-balanced ensemble on and off the stage."

Specific performances are listed below. All shows begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted with preshow entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m.

	*As You Like It* Monday, February 28 Thursday, March 3 To escape death, the extraordinary Rosalind, her brave cousin Celia, and one of Shakespeare's funniest fools flee into the woods. There, in the bewitching Forest of Arden, they discover shepherds and aristocrats, country folk and lovers—and, ultimately, life, love, joy, and freedom.
	*Macbeth* Tuesday, March 1 From the first words of the play until the title character loses his head, Shakespeare's shortest tragedy is his most unrelenting examination of the dark side of humanity. Driven to bloody deeds by their lust for power, Macbeth and his Lady tragically struggle to hold on to their sanity, and to each other.
	*Measure for Measure* Wednesday, March 2 Shakespeare's electrifying exploration of the arrogance of power hovers tantalizingly between comedy and tragedy. Measure stares unblinkingly into the way we confuse lust and love, goodness and self-righteousness; and it manages an unforgettably ironic look at who sins most in a congregation of murderers, pimps, politicians, whores, nuns, and dukes.

AYLI

As You Like It
Monday, February 28
Thursday, March 3

To escape death, the extraordinary Rosalind, her brave cousin Celia, and one of Shakespeare's funniest fools flee into the woods. There, in the bewitching Forest of Arden, they discover shepherds and aristocrats, country folk and lovers—and, ultimately, life, love, joy, and freedom.

Macbeth

Macbeth
Tuesday, March 1

From the first words of the play until the title character loses his head, Shakespeare's shortest tragedy is his most unrelenting examination of the dark side of humanity. Driven to bloody deeds by their lust for power, Macbeth and his Lady tragically struggle to hold on to their sanity, and to each other.

Measure

Measure for Measure
Wednesday, March 2

Shakespeare's electrifying exploration of the arrogance of power hovers tantalizingly between comedy and tragedy. Measure stares unblinkingly into the way we confuse lust and love, goodness and self-righteousness; and it manages an unforgettably ironic look at who sins most in a congregation of murderers, pimps, politicians, whores, nuns, and dukes.

For more information, call the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse at 318.869.5242.

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and has been recognized as "One of the Best 371 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.