STC Presents Two Gentlemen of Verona (a rock opera)

The Shakespeare Theatre Company continues celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season with the second installment of the Bard's Broadway series with the Tony Award winning musical Two Gentlemen of Verona (a rock opera) performing January 27-29, 2012 at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW). Galt MacDermot, John Guare and Mel Shapiro come together to create the music, lyrics and book that add a spicy, funky twist to Shakespeare's work of the same name. The rock opera performances will run concurrent with STC's mainstage production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

STC's first installment of the Bard's Broadway, The Boys From Syracuse was in November and the series continues with another classic tale of romance and adventure. This second installment will prove to be just as entertaining as the first, with a soulful, rock vibe. It also brings back the successful design team that created the New York Philharmonic's star-studded concert version of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical Company.

Amanda Dehnert will direct and Spencer Liff will choreograph Broadway veterans Terence Archie, Robin De Jesus, Javier Muñoz, Ken Page and Danny Rutigliano along with D.C. theatre favorite Eleasha Gamble in this special concert version of one of Shakespeare's early comedies. Director Amanda Dehnert explains, "This is such a funny, free, spontaneous piece of musical theatre. It doesn't conform to any tradition that came before it, and it still stands as a testament to what can be created with a spirit of adventure, a desire to reach an audience and the willingness to take creative risks."

Two Gentlemen of Verona (a rock opera) centers on the relationship between two friends, Proteus and Valentine, as they battle for the affections of the same woman. Since STC's mainstage production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona will run at the Lansburgh Theatre from January 17-March 4, audiences have the opportunity to see this production in two different styles-the play, with a contemporary twist that focuses on what happens when teens are left without parental guidance, and the musical, that focuses on how different types of people deal with each other in a big city.

For tickets and more information, please call 202.547.1122 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org.

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (A ROCK OPERA) CAST

Robin De Jesus will play the role of Speed. He is best known for his portrayal of Sonny in the Broadway musical In the Heights for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. His other Broadway credits include performances in La Cage Aux Folles for which he received another Tony Award nomination and Rent. He also starred in the cult classic film Camp.

Eleasha Gamble will perform the role of Silvia. She was most recently seen as Laurey in Arena Stage's production of Oklahoma! for which she was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award. She appeared Off-Broadway in Kathie Lee Gifford's Under the Bridge. Regionally, she has performed in Chess, Les Miserables and First You Dream at Signature Theatre, The Civil War, Little Shop of Horrors and A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre and The Women of Brewster Place at Arena Stage.

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