The Shakespeare Project of Chicago

Duchess of Malfi Gets Professional Treatment
In Free Library Reading Program

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago continues its 17th season of free public performances with John Webster's Jacobean Tragedy, The Duchess of Malfi, which will be performed as a theatrical reading at three locations.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, a performance begins at 10 a.m. at The Newberry Library, 60 West Walton Street in Chicago, Illinois; a 2 p.m. performance will be given at The Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Avenue in Wilmette, Illinois. On Sunday, Jan. 22, the performance will be offered at 2 p.m. at the Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Avenue, Highland Park, Illinois.

Featuring the Shakespeare Project's dramaturge, Michelle Shupe, in the title role, the reading will be directed by founding member Stephen Spencer. The cast of Equity actors also includes Sean Cooper, Matthew Fahey, Peter Garino, James Krag, Richard Marlatt, Michael Joseph Mitchell, Corliss Preston, Dan Rodden, Fredric Stone, and Barbara Zahora.

An introductory prologue to the play will be given 15 minutes prior to each performance and a discussion with the actors, creative team, and audience members will follow the readings.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. The Shakespeare Project of Chicago has been providing free performances of the works of William Shakespeare and other great dramatists to Chicago area audiences since 1995. The Project's presentations place an artistic emphasis on the language of the plays and leverage the talents of professional actors, members of Actors' Equity Association. The company's educational programs bring The World in Words to high schools and universities through abbreviated adaptations of Shakespeare's plays and interactive actor-led workshops.

January 6, 2012

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