What you can expect during Tennessee Shakespeare Co.’s 2019-20 season
Drama, romance, comedy are ahead
“The play’s the thing.” Shakespeare wrote those words for Hamlet, who had a specific purpose in mind — he hoped a theatrical production would expose his father’s murderer. More generally, that statement suggests that plays, theater, the stage — whatever you want to call it — are important, significant and worthwhile.
This brings us to the Memphisbased Tennessee Shakespeare Company, which has announced its 12th season, built around the theme “Discover to Yourself,” taken from a quote from Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” which the company will perform for the first time in almost a decade.
With Dan Mcleary as “producing artistic director,” the company during the 2019-2020 season will again demonstrate that Shakespeare is only one of its inspirations.
The new season will include works inspired by Jane Austen, Zora Neale Hurston, Margaret Mitchell and Broadway musicals, and performances will take place in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.
Here’s the schedule:
“Pericles, Prince of Tyre”: This play, attributed to Shakespeare, will be performed in 10 different and often surprising spaces all over the Mid-south (including the Wiseacre Brewery and the small stage at “Chimes Square” in Overton Square), from Sept. 10-21. Admission to these performances is free.
“Julius Caesar”: Shakespeare’s masterpiece runs Sept. 25-Oct. 6 on the company’s Owen and Margaret Wellford Tabor Stage, 7950 Trinity.
“The Romeo and Juliet Project”: Oct. 17-Dec. 13, various schools.
“Broadway Stories and Songs: An Intimate Evening with ‘Big Fish’ Composer Andrew Lippa”: Oct. 16, “in a private home to be announced,” according to the company website.
“Showplace Memphis #1: Musical Works in Progress”: On the Tabor Stage, local composers preview excerpts from shows that are not yet finished, Nov. 2.
“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”: A Jane Austen-inspired romantic comedy in which the bookish middle sister from “Pride and Prejudice” reunites with her sisters (and, of course, Mr. Darcy) at Pemberley manor. Dec. 4-22, the Tabor Stage.
“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”: An adaptation of Kate Dicamillo’s children’s book in which a china rabbit experiences life by being handed off to a series of disparate characters.
Jan. 29-Feb. 16, the Tabor Stage. “Twelfth Night”: The company is accepting invitations: It will present Shakespeare’s comedy of sexual identity and role-playing from Feb. 15 to May 18 in just about any suitable venue or classroom.
Call 901-759-0620 or write education@tnshakespeare.org for more information.
“Southern Literary Salon: The Unlikely Sisterhood of Zora Neale Hurston and Margaret Mitchell”: A discussion group examines the connections between the authors of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” and “Gone With the Wind,” Feb. 23, the Tabor Stage. For tickets and more information, visit tnshakespeare.org or call the TSC box office at 901-7590604.