American Shakespeare Center

Now Until April 3, 2014

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. Shakespeare’s glorious and wise comedy reminds us of everything it is to be alive.

American Shakespeare Center

Now Until April 5, 2014

In the bawdy, riotous tradition of all his city comedies, Ben Jonson’s Epicene explores love, sex, and trickery in Early Modern London. Urban playboy, Dauphine, wants his peaceand- quiet-loving Uncle Morose’s fortune and hatches an elaborate plan to get it. Take a suspiciously silent bride, all of Dauphine’s London cronies, and a deal that is simply too good to be true; and Morose, along with the audience, gets a wedding day he won’t soon forget.

American Shakespeare Center

Now until April 6, 2014

Disguised lovers, tricky servants, and well-meaning parents cross and double-cross one another along the canals of Venice in Carlo Goldoni’s slapstick filled, comic gem. The characters’ search for a happy ending depends entirely on the titular servant Truffaldino, who is constantly on the lookout for a decent meal. Truffaldino’s attempt to double his wages unravels with delicious mayhem in this joyous, 18thcentury lark.

American Shakespeare Center

Now Until April 4, 2014

After wealthy Athenian Timon spends all his money entertaining, supporting, and bailing out his friends, he anticipates their help in his time of need. When his “friends” turn him down one-by-one, Timon transforms from Shakespeare’s most liberal spendthrift into his most tight-fisted misanthrope. A perfect play for our turbulent financial times, Timon of Athens makes us question the meaning of friendship, generosity, and gratitude.

Southwest Shakespeare Company

By Bill Cain

Feb. 28 – March 22, 2014

Anita Farnsworth Theater
Mesa Arts Center
1 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
(480) 644 6500

In London, 1605, a down-and-out playwright called Shagspeare receives a royal commission to write a play promoting the government’s version of the Guy Fawkes’ Gunpowder Plot. As Shag navigates the dangerous course between writing a lie or losing his head, his devoted theatre troupe helps him negotiate each step along the way.

Folger Theatre

April 17 – May 25, 2014

Directed by Ben Steinfeld and Jessie Austrian