Shakespeare Santa Cruz (SSC) artistic director Marco Barricelli today announced the line-up for the acclaimed UCSC theater company’s 31st season--including the premiere of a new play commissioned by SSC.
Running July 24 through August 26, the 2012 season will kick off with one of Shakespeare’s most popular and beloved comedies, Twelfth Night, directed by Barricelli in the indoor Mainstage Theater.
Opening in the Festival Glen will be the world premiere of The Man In the Iron Mask, a new play written by SSC associate artist Scott Wentworth, based on the works of Alexandre Dumas.
The Man In the Iron Mask was commissioned by SSC as the sequel to 2011’s highly successful production of The Three Musketeers.
“I am proud to continue the SSC tradition of creating new work that other theatre companies will be able to add to their repertoire,” said Barricelli.
“It’s another way in which SSC is both serving the local community, as well as leaving an imprint on the regional theatre world,” he added.
Playing in repertory in the Festival Glen will be the SSC debut of Henry IV, Part Two, directed by Scott Wentworth.
This continues the SSC cycle of history plays begun in 2011 with Henry IV, Part One. It concludes in 2013 with Henry V.
“I’m thrilled to be producing Henry IV, Part Two for the first time ever at SSC,” Barricelli noted. “I think this cycle provides the opportunity for audiences to engage on a deeper level, and come with us on a journey that lasts beyond just one evening or one summer.”
At the close of the summer season, SSC will transfer its production of Twelfth Night to Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, where it will play September 8 through 16 in the 1,200-seat, outdoor Lilian Fontaine Garden Theatre.
This continues a partnership with Montalvo Arts Center that SSC began last year, when The Comedy of Errors moved to Montalvo for an extended run.
“It was exciting for us to bring the great work we’re doing in Santa Cruz to a new audience in Silicon Valley,” said SSC Managing Director Kyle Clausen.
“The feedback we received from audience members was overwhelmingly in favor of continuing this partnership.”
UCSC Arts Division Dean David Yager has also announced a deepened commitment to SSC on the part of UC Santa Cruz.
“We have just celebrated the successful 30-year anniversary of Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and the University has dramatically upgraded its long-term support for SSC, which I believe, demonstrates our shared commitment to the future of the program,” said Yager.
“I am extremely excited about the upcoming season, and I look forward to new collaborations between SSC and the Theater Arts Department for the benefit of our students, faculty, and the community,” Yager added.
A free public season preview event is set for Bookshop Santa Cruz on Tuesday, June 5, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
SSC will announce its annual fall benefit performances and holiday co-production later this spring.
For more information about the 2012 Shakespeare Santa Cruz season, visit the SSC web site.
