American Shakespeare Center on Campus March 23-25

The Fairmont State University School of Fine Arts and the Department of Language and Literature present the American Shakespeare Center’s “Almost Blasphemy Tour” for a week of Elizabethan lyricism, love and oh-so-bitter woe. Three separate productions will take place in Wallman Hall Theatre — “The Winter’s Tale,” “ ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The ticket price for each performance is $10 per person. To order tickets, call the Box Office at (304) 367-4240 or visit www.fairmontstate.edu/tickets.

The appearance of the American Shakespeare Center tour on the shared main campus of FSU and Pierpont Community & Technical College is made possible by FSU Interim President Maria Rose, Pierpont President Doreen Larson, the FSU School of Fine Arts, the FSU Department of Language and Literature, the Office of Student Affairs and Fairmont State GEAR UP.

At 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 23, the ASC troupe will perform “The Winter’s Tale.” Shakespeare’s magnificent late play is a roller-coaster ride from romance to tragedy to comedy and finally to a place of transcendent beauty that few other works of art have ever gone. “A sad tale’s best for winter,” says Hermione’s young son – but after unleashing a wintry tempest onto his characters, Shakespeare ultimately conjures spring’s miraculous rebirth.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24, the troupe will perform “ ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore.” John Ford’s brilliant re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet leads audiences deep into a story of passion, lust, vengeance, greed, incest and murder. After almost 400 years, the play’s tale of forbidden love remains controversial, shocking and theatrically spellbinding. This performance is recommended for mature audiences.

At 2 p.m.  Sunday, March 25, the ASC troupe will give a matinee performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The play’s theatrical spell is powerful enough to make audiences of all ages believe in anything. Shakespeare’s mischievous comedy of lovers, heroes, fairies and rude mechanicals is his tribute to humankind’s power of imagination.

For more information about events of the School of Fine Arts, visit the Fine Arts Tatler: The Blog at http://fineartsfsu.wordpress.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/FSUfinearts.

About the photo: In this photo by Tommy Thompson of American Shakespeare Center, Titania and Bottom are shown in a scene from "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

American Shakespeare CenterSchool of Fine ArtsMaria RoseOffice of Student AffairsDoreen LarsonLanguage & LiteratureA Midsummer Night's DreamFairmont State GEAR UP