New year-round programming adds opportunities for students and adults to experience The Bard!

The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival is proud to announce it is changing its name to The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre. The change says Artistic/Executive Director Carmen Khan, "better reflects all that we do, both at the Theatre and in dozens of Schools throughout the region." The change includes a new name, logo, and completely updated web site at www.phillyshakespeare.org.

Under the Artistic Direction of Carmen Khan, The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre will kick off the Season with a new series called Connoisseur Shakespeare: Scholarship & Performance. These five events feature renowned Shakespeare scholars from the region paired with Theatre actors. Each evening focuses on one play. The series begins on January 26, 2009 with subsequent events on February 16; March 2; March 16; and May 11, 2009.

The Theatre will produce the wildly popular and screamingly funny, Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). The show opens on March 27, 2009 and continues through May 10, 2009. Performance times are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm. The Complete Works of William Shakepseare (Abridged) is directed by Domenick Scudera and features Festival favorite Brian McCann.

Running May 13 - 24, 2009 is an intimate production of Macbeth. This production, part of The Theatre's new Chamber Shakespeare Series will feature three actors in a minimalist approach to the play.

Artistic/Executive Director Carmen Khan is directing and she says of the production, "With this minimalist approach we hope to go beyond our cultural and social boundaries. In Shakespeare production, there is a standard of forcing contemporary relevance through political and social interpretations of the plays. We hope to present drama that is more universal and eternal rather than force the plays to conform to the world we know. We seek to examine the timeless themes in Shakespeare's plays through a form that is more ritualistic in its essence."

All performances will be held in the intimate 122-seat theatre at 2111 Sansom Street. For ticket sales and information please call the box office at 215-496-8001 or purchase and print your tickets on the web at www.phillyshakespeare.org.

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