Shakespeare’s immortal tale of ambition, lust, and murderous treachery will be brilliantly updated and brought to life by The Rustic Mechanicals this spring. A savage civil war between two royal families has just concluded. But even as the newly installed King Edward takes the reins of power, his ruthless younger brother Richard sets in motion a monstrous scheme to claim the crown for himself. Enlisting the aid of equally duplicitous allies in the court, Richard embarks on a merciless, single-minded campaign of betrayal, seduction, and cold-blooded murder to achieve the goal that has obsessed him all of his tortured life.
Audiences will have their first opportunity to see the show on Thursday, April 12 at a “Pay-What-You-Will Preview.” The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:00 p.m. There is no set ticket price for this performance. Audience members are encouraged to decide what they can give to support the troupe and this performance.
The troupe’s first ever opening night “Shakespeareance” will take place on Friday, April 13. Fifty lucky audience members will be treated to a gourmet dinner, a pre-show Q&A with members of the creative team, a live performance of Richard III, and a post-show dessert meet-and-greet reception with the audience and company.
Reservations are required for this event, and there are only 50 tickets available. The menu includes stuffed cranberry apple roasted pork loin, lemon garlic roasted chicken, roasted root veggies, golden mashed potatoes, a savory caramelized onion bread pudding, salad, homemade bread, fresh fruit, cheese, and vegetable starters.
Tickets are $75 for a couple or $40 for an individual. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., with curtain at 8:00 p.m., and the reception immediately following the show.
The first weekend of the tour will conclude with performances on Saturday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 15 at 2:00 p.m. at the Monongalia Arts Center in Morgantown, WV. Tickets for the troupe’s MAC performances are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
The Rustic Mechanicals, now in their fifth season, have grown from a troupe of seven actors to this year boasting a roster of nearly thirty West Virginia artists.
Joshua Brooks headlines the production in the eponymous role of Richard III.
Audiences will also see Daniel Crowley as Buckingham, Isaac Covey as Catesby, Sean Marko as Lord Hastings, Bailey Kershner as Queen Margaret, Kayla Hudimac as Queen Elizabeth, and Samantha Huffman as the Duchess of York. James Matthews will be seen as Clarence and the Cardinal; while John O’Connor will be portraying King Edward, the Lord Mayor of London, and the Archbishop; and Travis Teffner will be playing Rivers and Richmond. Rounding out the cast is Sarah Young as Lady Anne and Tyrrel, and Kyle Stemple as Prince Edward and several other roles.
For more information about The Naked Villainy Tour of William Shakespeare’s Richard III, email VintageTheatreCo@gmail.com or call 1-855-VTC-8588.
West Fork Unitarian Universalists 