THE BEARD OF AVON

THE BEARD OF AVON

October 22 – November 20, 2005
  • By Amy Freed
  • Directed by Jessica Burgess
  • THE SANCTUARY THEATRE at Casa Del Pueblo Calvary Methodist Church

Will Shakespeare, a country simpleton who longs for something more than his filthy barn, escapes Stratford with an acting troupe only to become an abused bit-player and the unwitting pawn of the Earl of Oxford and other members of the court who use him as a front man for their previously un-producible plays. Smart and funny, raunchy and wild, Pulitzer Prize nominee Amy Freed has created a clever farce about the controversial notions of Shakespeare’s authorship and on the meaning of creativity itself.

Rorschach Theatre’s SEASON 6 is sponsored in part by a generous gift from The Dobranski Foundation

“Director Jessica Burgess and a well-drilled cast, led by the winning Grady Weatherford as Will, tackle their assignments with the ravenous pleasure of hyenas feasting on a leg of gnu.”

The Washington Post

FEATURING

Grady Weatherford
Scott McCormick
Austin Bragg
Patrick Bussink
Valerie Fenton
Andrew Jessop
Eric Singdahlsen
Brent Stansell
Wendy Wilmer

Designers

Set & Lighting David C. Ghatan
Costumes Jenn Miller
Sound Matthew Frederick
Props Elizabeth Baldwin
Original Music By Jesse Terrill

STAFF

Stage Manager Ellen Houseknecht
ASM Gwen Grastorf 
Technical Director Michael Dove
Asst. Lighting Design Andrew F. Griffin

PRODUCERS

Randy Baker
Jenny McConnell Frederick

MEDIA

PRESS

"The Beard of Avon plays like a bunch of drunk Shakespeareans putting together an uncommonly clever episode of Saturday Night Live, and I meant that as compliment."
Washington City Paper
“This is a fun and witty show that moves at a very quick pace. David Ghatan’s set design takes you right back to the Globe Theatre, although sitting in the balcony may not be for everyone. Before you head over to Rorschach’s space in Columbia Heights, I suggest you type “Shakespeare controversy” into a search engine; you’ll have reading for hours.”
Curtainup.com
“Grady Weatherford makes a marvelous bard-as-bumpkin, both because of a physical resemblance to the image we know from prints, and because of his bumbling but believable comedy. He gradually takes his character from stage-struck neophyte to an experienced, slightly wiser member of the theater community.”
Potomac Stages
"The love of theatre is the prevailing theme in Rorschach’s latest production and it is quite clear that is what drives this company of very talented performers. Guaranteed laughs and a wonderful evening of theatre await if you have tickets for The Beard of Avon, if you don’t get them!"
DC Theatre Reviews
"The show could easily have its roots in British comedy, with its effective mix of outright silliness and clever wordplay. It does an exceptional job weaving in historical content, Shakespearean shout-outs (an Ophelia allusion referencing a “15-year-old drowning in a duck pond” is one guffaw-worthy example), and pointed jabs at the often-pretentious nature of theater."
DCist