The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF) is a professional theatre company in residence at

DeSales University DeSales University (DSU) is a private Catholic university in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. The university offers traditional, online, and hybrid courses and programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Named for St. Francis de Sales, the un ...

in Center Valley, Pennsylvania and the official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Festival is organized as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in Pennsylvania. Each summer, PSF produces six or more plays (often including a musical) and special one-night-only performances. In the fall, PSF tours a

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

play to schools as part of its Linny Fowler WillPower tour. Since its inception, the Festival has been attended by over 1,000,000 people. The acting company consists primarily of professional actors from New York and Philadelphia and who are members of

Actors' Equity Association The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions without a boo ...

. The plays are performed in two theatres in The Labuda Center for the Performing Arts: the 473-seat proscenium Main Stage or the 187-seat thrust Schubert Theatre on the DeSales University campus in Center Valley. Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival is listed as a major festival in the book ''Shakespeare Festivals Around the World'' by Marcus D. Gregio (

Editor Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, photographic, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, orga ...

), 2004.

Productions

2023 season

*''Henry IV, Part 2'' - By William Shakespeare • May 31 - June 11 • Schubert Theatre *''In the Heights'' - Music & Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda; Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes; Conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda • June 14 - July 2 • Main Stage *''The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) evised

gain Gain or GAIN may refer to: Science and technology * Gain (electronics), an electronics and signal processing term * Antenna gain * Gain (laser), the amplification involved in laser emission * Gain (projection screens) * Information gain in de ...

' - By Adam Long, Daniel Singer, Jess Winfield; New Revisions by Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield • June 28 - July 16 • Outdoor Stage *''The Tempest'' - By William Shakespeare • July 12 - August 6 • Main Stage *Jane Austen's ''Sense and Sensibility'' - Adapted by Jessica Swale • July 20 - August 5 • Main Stage *''Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill'' - By Lanie Robertson; Musical Arrangements by Danny Holgate • July 19 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre *"Play On!" Community Tour''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' - By William Shakespeare • June 2 - June 18 • Your Community *''James and the Giant Peach'' - From the book by Roald Dahl; Dramatized by Richard R. George • July 7 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre *''Shakespeare For Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 26 - August 5 • Main Stage

2022 season

*''Every Brilliant Thing'' - By Duncan Macmillan • June 7- June 19 • Schubert Theatre *''A Chorus Line'' - Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett; Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante; Music by Marvin Hamlish; Lyrics by Edward Kleban; Co Choreographed by Bob Avian • June 22 - July 10 • Main Stage *''Much Ado About Nothing -'' By William Shakespeare • July 13 - August 7 • Schubert Theatre *August Wilson's ''Fences'' - July 27-August 7 • Main Stage *''The River Bride'' (Staged Reading) - By Marisela Treviño Orta • July 1 - July 3 • Schubert Theatre *Shakespeare For Kids - By Erin Sheffield • July 28 - August 6 • Main Stage *''Little Red'' - By Andrew Kane • June 3 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre

2021 season

*'' Native Gardens''- By Karen Zacharias *'' How I Learned What I Learned''- By August Wilson • June 29 - July 11 • Main Stage *''

A Midsummer Night's Dream ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' is a comedy written by William Shakespeare 1595 or 1596. The play is set in Athens, and consists of several subplots that revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One subplot involves a conflict amon ...

''- By William Shakespeare • July 20 - August 1 • Air Products Open Air Theatre *In Concert with Phoenix Best- July 12 • Air Products Open Air Theatre *'' An Iliad''- By Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare • July 7 - August 1 • Main Stage *''

Love's Labour's Lost ''Love's Labour's Lost'' is one of William Shakespeare's early comedies, believed to have been written in the mid-1590s for a performance at the Inns of Court before Elizabeth I of England, Queen Elizabeth I. It follows the King of Navarre and ...

''- By William Shakespeare (PSF Young Company) • July 24–25 • Air Products Open Air Theatre *''

Charlotte's Web ''Charlotte's Web'' is a book of children's literature by American author E. B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams; it was published on October 15, 1952, by Harper & Brothers. The novel tells the story of a livestock pig named Wilbur and his ...

''- By Joseph Robinette • June 25 - July 31 • Air Products Open Air Theatre

2020 season

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's 2020 season was scheduled to begin on May 29, 2020. On March 30, 2020 Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival released a statement saying that the 2020 season would be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PSF continues to engage with patrons through the "At Home with PSF" program which features interviews with artists, staff memories, and theatre resources.

2019 season

*'' Crazy for You'' - Music and Lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin; Book by Ken Ludwig • June 12 - June 30 • Main Stage *'' The Mystery of Irma Vep – A Penny Dreadful'' – By Charles Ludlam • June 20 - July 14 • Schubert Theatre *''

Antony & Cleopatra ''Antony and Cleopatra'' (First Folio title: ''The Tragedie of Anthonie, and Cleopatra'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The play was first performed, by the King's Men, at either the Blackfriars Theatre or the Globe Theatre in around ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 10 - August 4 • Main Stage *'' Private Lives'' - By Noël Coward • July 18 - August 4 • Main Stage *''

Henry IV, Part 1 ''Henry IV, Part 1'' (often written as ''1 Henry IV'') is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written no later than 1597. The play dramatises part of the reign of King Henry IV of England, beginning with the battle at ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 24 - August 4 • Schubert Theatre *''The Adventures of Robin Hood and Maid Marian'' - By Brandon E. McLauren • May 31 - August 3 • Schubert Theatre * ''Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 24 - August 3 • Main Stage

2018 season

*''

Ragtime Ragtime, also spelled rag-time or rag time, is a musical style that flourished from the 1890s to 1910s. Its cardinal trait is its syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. Ragtime was popularized during the early 20th century by composers such as Scott ...

'' - Book by Terrence McNally; Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; Based on the novel “RAGTIME” by E.L. Doctorow • June 13 - July 1 • Main Stage *''

Twelfth Night ''Twelfth Night'', or ''What You Will'' is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Vio ...

'' – By William Shakespeare • June 21 - July 15 • Schubert Theatre *'' Shakespeare in Love'' - Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard; Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall; Music by Paddy Cunneen • July 11 - August 5 • Main Stage *'' King Richard II'' - By William Shakespeare • July 19 - August 5 • Main Stage *''

All's Well That Ends Well ''All's Well That Ends Well'' is a play by William Shakespeare, published in the ''First Folio'' in 1623, where it is listed among the comedies. There is a debate regarding the dating of the composition of the play, with possible dates rangin ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 25 - August 5 • Schubert Theatre *''Alice in Wonderland'' - By Michele L. Vacca • June 1 - August 4 • Schubert Theatre * ''Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 25 - August 4 • Main Stage

2017 season

*''

Evita Evita may refer to: Arts * Evita (1996 film), ''Evita'' (1996 film), a 1996 American musical drama film based on the 1976 concept album of the same name * Evita (2008 film), ''Evita'' (2008 film), a documentary about Eva Péron * Evita (album), ''E ...

'' - Lyrics by Tim Rice; Music by Andrew Llyod Webber • June 14 - July 2 • Main Stage *''

The Hound of the Baskervilles ''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is the third of the four crime novels by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Originally serialised in ''The Strand Magazine'' from August 1901 to April 1902, it is set i ...

'' – By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Adapted by Steven Canny & John Nicholson • June 21 - July 16 • Schubert Theatre *''

The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight f ...

'' - By Ken Ludwig; Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas • July 12 - August 6 • Main Stage *''

As You Like It ''As You Like It'' is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 and first published in the First Folio in 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 has b ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 20 - August 6 • Main Stage *''

Troilus and Cressida ''Troilus and Cressida'' ( or ) is a play by William Shakespeare, probably written in 1602. At Troy during the Trojan War, Troilus and Cressida begin a love affair. Cressida is forced to leave Troy to join her father in the Greek camp. Meanwh ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 26 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre *''The Ice Princess'' - By Brandon E. McLauren; Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen • June 2 - August 5 • Schubert Theatre * ''Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 26 - August 5 • Main Stage

2016 season

*''

West Side Story ''West Side Story'' is a musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Inspired by William Shakespeare's play ''Romeo and Juliet'', the story is set in the mid-1 ...

'' - Based on a conception of Jerome Robbins; Book by Arthur Laurents; Music by Leonard Bernstein; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Entire original production directed and choreography by Jerome Robbins; Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet • June 15 - July 3 • Main Stage *''

Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, and ...

'' – By William Shakespeare • June 22 - July 17 • Schubert Theatre *''

The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 13 - August 7 • Main Stage *''

Blithe Spirit Blithe Spirit may refer to: * ''Blithe Spirit'' (play), a 1941 comic play written by Noël Coward * ''Blithe Spirit'' (1945 film), a British comedy film based on the play * ''Blithe Spirit'' (2020 film), a British-American comedy film based on th ...

'' - By Noël Coward • July 21 - August 7 • Main Stage *''

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 27 - August 7 • Schubert Theatre *'' The Little Mermaid'' - By Linda Daugherty • June 3 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre * ''Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 27 - August 6 • Main Stage

2015 season

*''

Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original ...

'' - Boubil and Schonberg's musical based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo ''

'' • June 10 - June 28 • Main Stage *'' Around the World in 80 Days'' – By Mark Brown • June 17 - July 12 • Schubert Theatre *''

The Foreigner (play) ''The Foreigner'' is a 1984 two-act comedy by American playwright Larry Shue. The play has become a staple of professional and amateur theatre.Bryer, Jackson R. & Hartig, Mary C., eds. (2nd ed. 2010)''The Facts on File Companion to American Drama' ...

'' - By Larry Shue • July 8 - August 2 • Main Stage *''

Henry V Henry V may refer to: People * Henry V, Duke of Bavaria (died 1026) * Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor (1081/86–1125) * Henry V, Duke of Carinthia (died 1161) * Henry V, Count Palatine of the Rhine (c. 1173–1227) * Henry V, Count of Luxembourg (121 ...

'' - William Shakespeare • July 16 - August 2 • Main Stage *'' Pericles'' - By William Shakespeare • July 22 - August 2 • Schubert Theatre *'' Rapunzel'' - Brothers Grimm fairy tale adapted by Erin Sheffield • May 29 - August 1 • Schubert Theatre *'' Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 22 - August 1 • Schubert Theatre

WillPower Tour

The Festival's signature education program is the annual Linny Fowler WillPower Tour, which brings a professionally produced Shakespeare play to middle schools and high schools throughout

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

, and

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...

. Initiated in 2000, the WillPower Tour is a professionally directed 80-minute production with sets and costumes featuring a company of professionally-trained and experienced actors and teachers. Half-day or full-day programming meet academic standards with curriculum guides provided in advance. Post-performance discussion gives students the opportunity to share their reactions and insights. Celebrating its 20th year, the fall 2019 WillPower Tour's production of ''Macbeth'' reached over 11,000 students in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

History

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival was founded in 1992 by Gerard J. Schubert, O.S.F.S., founder and chair of Performing and Fine Arts department at

Notable Actors

* Steve Burns - 2013, Clown 1, The 39 Steps; 2011, Dromio of Syracuse,

The Comedy of Errors ''The Comedy of Errors'' is one of William Shakespeare's early plays. It is his shortest and one of his most farcical comedies, with a major part of the humour coming from slapstick and mistaken identity, in addition to puns and word play. It ...

; 2007, Amadeus,

Amadeus Amadeus may refer to: *Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), prolific and influential composer of classical music *Amadeus (name), a given name and people with the name * ''Amadeus'' (play), 1979 stage play by Peter Shaffer * ''Amadeus'' (film), ...

Keith Hamilton Cobb Keith Hamilton Cobb (born January 28, 1962) is an American actor. Career He is best known for his roles as the ruthless Nietzschean mercenary Tyr Anasazi in the science-fiction series '' Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda'' from 2000 to 2005 and as N ...

- 2016, Julius Caesar,

Julius Caesar (play) ''The Tragedy of Julius Caesar ''(First Folio title: ''The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar'') is a history play and tragedy by William Shakespeare first performed in 1599. In the play, Brutus joins a conspiracy led by Cassius to assassinate Julius ...

* Christian Coulson - 2018, King Richard, King Richard II; 2018, Lord Wessex, Shakespeare in Love *

Tom Degnan Tom Degnan (born September 24, 1982 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania) is an American actor. He is best known for his role on ''One Life to Live'' as Joey Buchanan from 2010 to 2011. He also appeared in ''As the World Turns'' in 2009 as Riley Morgan/ ...

- 2012, Brick,

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ''Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'' is a three-act play written by Tennessee Williams. An adaptation of his 1952 short story "Three Players of a Summer Game", the play was written by him between 1953 and 1955. One of Williams's more famous works and his p ...

, Don John, Much Ado about Nothing * Dan Domenech - 2017, Che,

*Mike Eldred - 2015,

Jean Valjean Jean Valjean () is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel ''Les Misérables''. The story depicts the character's struggle to lead a normal life and redeem himself after serving a 19-year-long prison sentence for stealing bread to feed his ...

, Les Misérables *

Kate Fahrner Kate Fahrner is an American actress and singer. Career She appeared in the Broadway production of ''Wicked'' as the standby for Glinda. She appeared in the ''South Pacific'', ''The Full Monty'' and '' Cats'' national tours. She appeared in the O ...

- 2015,

Fantine Fantine (French pronunciation: ) is a fictional character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel ''Les Misérables''. She is a young '' grisette'' in Paris who becomes pregnant by a rich student. After he abandons her, she is forced to look after their chil ...

, Les Misérables *

Alexie Gilmore Alexie Gilmore (born December 11, 1976) is an American actress who starred in ''New Amsterdam'' as Dr. Sara Dillane. She is featured in ''Definitely, Maybe'' and co-starred in ''Surfer, Dude''. Alexie also played the part of Kelly in '' Willow Cr ...

- 2013, Gwendolyn,

The Importance of Being Earnest ''The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People'' is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed on 14 February 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious ...

*Jeremiah James - 2015, Javert, Les Misérables *

William Michals William Paul Michals is an American stage actor and baritone singer. He has appeared as Emile de Becque in Rogers and Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC at Lincoln Center,. He made his Broadway debut as “The Beast” in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE ...

- 2012, Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; 2011, Emile De Beque, South Pacific * Rachel Potter - 2015, Eponine, Les Misérables * Zack Robidas - 2015, Henry V, The Foreigner *

Dee Roscioli Dee Roscioli (born Danielle Marie Roscioli on July 20, 1977) is an American singer and actress, who is known for her performances as Elphaba in the Broadway, Chicago, San Francisco, and national touring productions of the musical ''Wicked''. Ea ...

- 2017, Eva Peron,

; 2012, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; 2010, Finale Cabaret *

Marnie Schulenburg Marnie Schulenburg (May 21, 1984 – May 17, 2022) was an American actress who was known for her role as Alison Stewart on the CBS soap opera ''As the World Turns'' (2007–2010). Early life Marnie Schulenburg was born in Cape Cod, Massachusetts ...

- 2011, Nellie Forbush, South Pacific; 2006, Celia,

, 2015 The Foreigner, Henry V * Paulo Szot - 2017, Juan Perón,

*Jo Twiss - 2012 - Big Mama,

; 2011, Nurse,

Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetim ...

*Delaney Westfall - 2015, Cosette, Les Misérables

References

{{Lehigh Valley Performing groups established in 1992 Festivals in Pennsylvania Shakespeare festivals in the United States Tourist attractions in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania DeSales University