For Immediate Release: May 17, 2005
Media Contact: Lisa Higgins, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, 610.282.WILL x4

This year's Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival company includes winners and nominees for the Tony, Emmy, Obie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Barrymore and Joseph Jefferson Awards. "Actors, directors and theatre artists from major cities around the country are converging in Center Valley this summer to produce some of the best plays ever written,"says Producing Artistic Director Patrick Mulcahy.

The season features: Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part I (June 22- July 10) and The Merchant of Venice (July 20-August 7) Molière's The Imaginary Invalid (June 8-July 3), a stage adaptation of Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days (July 13-August 7), and The Little Mermaid (June 3- August 6).

Garnering a Drama Desk Award for Best Supporting Actor in the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd directed by Harold Prince, and starring Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou, Ken Jennings recently completed a three-year run on Broadway as a member of the original cast of Urinetown, the Tony award winning musical starring John Cullum. For PSF this summer, Mr. Jennings will portray one of Shakespeare's most compelling antagonists, Shylock, in The Merchant of Venice.

An award winning set designer for both television and stage, Bob Phillips returns to PSF to design Around the World in 80 Days, The Imaginary Invalid, and The Little Mermaid. As designer for Sesame Street he just won his fourth Emmy Award last weekend, and his stage designs have received Outer Critics Circle and Villager awards.

The leading role of Prince Hal, the troublesome son of the King in Henry IV, Part 1, will be performed by Scott Parkinson, a veteran of 16 productions at the renowned Chicago Shakespeare Festival. Winner of the prestigious Joseph Jefferson Award for best supporting actor -- The 'Jeff Awards' recognize excellence in Chicago's Equity theatre -- he also has credits at the prestigious Old Globe Theatre and Mark Taper Forum.

Even prior to the introduction of Philadelphia's Barrymore Awards, PSF was hiring actors who have since earned nominations and won. Ian Merrill Peakes, a two-time Barrymore winner, returns to PSF to play Hotspur in Henry IV, Part 1. Barrymore winner and PSF veteran Greg Wood will play the world wanderer Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days. Award-winning costume designer Janus Stefanowicz will design Henry IV, Part 1.

Other Broadway veterans appearing at PSF this summer include Gannon McHale and Allen Fitzpatrick. Mr. McHale, whose Broadway credits include James Joyce's The Dead and The Sound of Music, will be featured in Henry IV, Part 1. Mr. Fitzpatrick performed in Les Misérables on Broadway as well as 42nd Street, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Damn Yankees; he will portray Antonio, the merchant of The Merchant of Venice.

Many highly-esteemed actors from past PSF seasons are returning as well. Michael Tylo, successful star of television (The Young and the Restless and The Guiding Light), film, and stage, will portray the title role of the King in Henry IV, Part I. Other audience favorites also returning are: Christopher Patrick Mullen, Eric Hissom, Ian Bedford, Carl Wallnau, and H. Michael Walls.

Season tickets and single tickets for all shows are now available. Season ticket prices range from $80 to $128 and offer subscribers the greatest discounts and flexibility. Single ticket prices range from $24 to $37. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and groups. Tickets can be ordered by calling 610-282 WILL or online at www.pashakespeare.org.

The 2005 Associate Season Sponsors are: The Morning Call, The Harry C. Trexler Trust, and Service Electric Cable TV and Communications.

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at DeSales University is the Official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth and a professional, not-for-profit theatre company. An independent 501 c 3 organization, PSF receives support from DeSales University and relies on contributions from individuals, government agencies, corporations and foundations. PSF is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America.

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