Texas Shakespeare Festival- In April 1984, the idea for the Texas Shakespeare Festival was developed: to establish a professional summer theatre for East Texas. Two years later, in June 1986, the Texas Shakespeare Festival opened its inaugural season. Now in its 25th season, the Texas Shakespeare Festival has produced more than 30 plays of Shakespeare’s canon.
The Texas Shakespeare Festival in Kilgore has been hailed by the Austin Statesman as, “…indisputably the best Shakespeare Festival in Texas.” There is still a week left of the 2011 Silver Anniversary Season with opportunities to take in several shows.
**Morning Performances at 10:00 AM / *Matinee Performances at 2:00 PM / All evening Performances at 7:30 PM
The Taming of the Shrew
by William Shakespeare
directed by: Mark Mineart
Jul 22 *, Jul 24 *, Jul 29 , Jul 31
One of Shakespeare’s earliest and funniest plays and perhaps the world’s best-known treatment of an age-old theme – the battle of the sexes. It is a war of wits and wills between the fiery Kate and the arrogant Petruchio as he attempts to woo her and to win her against her wishes.
The Beaux’s Stratagem
by George Farquhar, adapted by Thornton Wilder and Ken Ludwig
directed by: Kristine Holtvedt
Jul 22 , Jul 24 , Jul 28 *, Jul 30 *
A classic British comedy written by George Farquhar in 1707, but revised and updated by Thornton Wilder (Our Town) and Ken Ludwig (Crazy for You; Lend Me a Tenor). Considered one of the great English comedies of all time, this totally new adaptation is the story of two young Don Juans, down on their luck and in disguise, hoping to find rich heiresses who will marry them.
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
by William Shakespeare
directed by: Lee Ernst
Jul 23 *, Jul 28 , Jul 30
Shakespeare’s masterpiece and perhaps the most perfect play ever written. We have reduced the script to approximately half its original length but preserved all of its major plot elements as well as its most eloquent poetry. The most-quoted, most talked-about, most thought-provoking play in history continues to intrigue, mystify and amaze audiences around the world.
Ernest In Love
by Music by Lee Pockriss, Book and Lyrics by Anne Croswell
directed by: Stephen Terrell
Jul 23 , Jul 29 *, Jul 31 *
Based on Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, which some consider the funniest play in the English language, this sparkling musical opened on Broadway in 1960. Since its New York revival in 2009, it is finally earning the respect it deserves. The show retains Wilde’s inimitable wordplay and immortal witticisms, and adds fourteen clever, character-driven songs.
A Play based on Aesop’s Fables
by Joel Ebarb
directed by: Joel Ebarb
Jul 23 **, Jul 26 **, Jul 26 *, Jul 27 **, Jul 27 *, Jul 28 **, Jul 30 **
This original script includes five of Aesop’s famous allegories: “The Fox and the Grapes”; “The Lion and the Mouse”; “The Grasshopper and the Ant”; “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”; and “The Pig Who Wanted More”. The performances will incorporate both live actors and puppets to entertain children of all ages while teaching timeless moral lessons. Adults are invited to come laugh (and learn) as well!
Order Tickets– Call the TSF Box Office, (903) 983-8601, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday starting Wednesday, May 26, for current TSF Guild Members, or Saturday, May 29, for the general public. VISA, MasterCard and Discover Card are accepted. If you fail to reach someone in the ticket office, leave a message and a daytime telephone number and we will return your call to confirm your order. Your tickets will be held for you at the will-call table where you can pick them up when you arrive for your first performance date. (Note: There is a $2 credit card charge.) The Ticket Office is CLOSED ON MONDAYS.
You can also go by the TSF Box Office in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center. Hwy. 259 South and Brook Ave. (east side of the crosswalk), on the Kilgore College campus. Box Office hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday starting Wednesday, May 26, for current TSF Guild Members, or Saturday, May 29, for the general public.
Texas Shakespeare Festival Ticket Pricing and Seating
Individual Show Tickets- $29
Padded Bench Seat- $23
Saturday Matinee Tickets- $24
Sunday Evening Tickets- $24
The Children’s Show Tickets- $7
Back Stage Tours- $4
The Texas Shakespeare Festival is held at the Van Cliburn Auditorium in the Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center.