{"id":140217,"date":"2025-02-07T22:16:10","date_gmt":"2025-02-08T03:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=140217"},"modified":"2025-02-07T22:16:10","modified_gmt":"2025-02-08T03:16:10","slug":"pennsylvania-shakespeare-festival-announces-single-ticket-sales-for-2025-season-nine-must-see-shows-hit-the-stages-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=140217","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Announces Single Ticket Sales for 2025 Season\u2014Nine Must-See Shows Hit the Stages This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

***Single Tickets on Sale Monday, February 10***<\/strong><\/p>\n

Center Valley, PA: February 7, 2025\u2014Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival<\/strong>\u00a0(PSF) announces that\u00a0single ticket sales for its<\/strong>\u00a02025 Summer Theatre Series go on sale<\/strong>\u00a0beginning\u00a0Monday, February 10<\/strong>. The season, crafted by Artistic Director\u00a0Jason King Jones<\/strong>\u00a0and Managing Director\u00a0Casey William Gallagher<\/strong>, features nine productions, including two musicals, three Shakespeare works, shows in rotating repertory, touring performances, and children’s programming. Running from\u00a0May 28 to August 3<\/strong>\u00a0at the\u00a0Labuda Center for the Performing Arts<\/strong>\u00a0on the DeSales University campus, the series will also include performances throughout the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n

The\u00a02025 Summer Theatre Series\u00a0<\/strong>features Shakespeare’s masterpiece\u00a0Hamlet<\/em><\/strong>, performed in repertory with Tom Stoppard’s tragicomedy\u00a0Rosencrantz and Guildenstern<\/em>\u00a0Are Dead<\/em><\/strong>, the lesser produced\u00a0Timon of Athens<\/em><\/strong>, and a touring production of\u00a0Much Ado About<\/em>\u00a0Nothing<\/em><\/strong>. Other highlights include Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking drama\u00a0A Raisin in the Sun<\/em><\/strong>, alongside two musicals: Mel Brooks’ Tony Award-winning hit\u00a0The Producers<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0and the new musical\u00a0Penelope<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor an extraordinary community, we have assembled an extraordinary season,\u201d said Jason King Jones, \u201cone that includes powerful classics, show-stopping hits, and adventurous stories you won\u2019t see anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n

The season kicks off in the Schubert Theatre with\u00a0Penelope<\/em>, a new one-woman musical co-produced with Philadelphia\u2019s Theatre Horizon. Reimagining the ancient Greek epic\u00a0The Odyssey<\/em>\u00a0from the perspective of Penelope, Odysseus\u2019s wife, this production features original music and lyrics by\u00a0Alex Bechtel<\/strong>\u00a0and a book by Bechtel,\u00a0Grace McClean<\/strong>, and\u00a0Eva Steinmetz<\/strong>. Starring\u00a0Rachel Camp<\/strong>, who reprises her performance following its run earlier this year at Theatre Horizon, along with Steinmetz, who returns to direct, the musical has been celebrated in productions at Joe\u2019s Pub, The Public Theater, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and Signature Theatre.<\/p>\n

On the\u00a0Main Stage, the season launches with Mel Brooks\u2019 uproarious love letter to Broadway,\u00a0The Producers<\/em>. Following the comedic success of last season\u2019s\u00a0The Play That Goes Wrong<\/em>, director\u00a0Jennifer Childs<\/strong>\u00a0returns to helm this production. She is joined by fan-favorite actors\u00a0Scott Greer<\/strong>\u00a0as Max Bialystock and\u00a0Anthony Lawton<\/strong>\u00a0as Franz Liebkind, both of whom delighted audiences in last summer\u2019s hilarious hit. Making their PSF debut is\u00a0Michael Doherty<\/strong>\u00a0as Leo Bloom, a seasoned actor with over 70 regional theatre credits, including performances at Philadelphia\u2019s\u00a0The Wilma Theater,\u00a0Arden Theatre Company, and\u00a0People\u2019s Light, as well as at the\u00a0Guthrie Theater,\u00a0Utah Shakespeare Festival, and\u00a0Denver Center.<\/p>\n

Lorraine Hansberry\u2019s award-winning drama\u00a0A Raisin in the Sun<\/em>\u00a0takes center stage in the intimate Schubert Theatre. A landmark of American history, this story of hope, determination, and resilience is brought to life with humor, heart, and unforgettable characters. Festival favorite\u00a0Akeem Davis<\/strong>\u00a0(The Merry Wives of Windsor<\/em>,\u00a0Cymbeline<\/em>) makes his PSF directorial debut, joined by returning actor\u00a0Billie Wyatt<\/strong>\u00a0(The Tempest<\/em>,\u00a0Sense & Sensibility<\/em>) as Beneatha Younger.<\/p>\n

The return of rotating repertory to the\u00a0Main Stage\u00a0pairs Shakespeare\u2019s\u00a0Hamlet<\/em>\u00a0with Tom Stoppard\u2019s\u00a0Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead<\/em>, offering a unique chance to experience Shakespeare\u2019s masterpiece alongside Stoppard\u2019s reimagining of its enigmatic side characters. Making their PSF debut is\u00a0Biko Eisen-Martin<\/strong>\u00a0as Hamlet, whose credits include performances at\u00a0The Public Theater,\u00a0The Old Globe, and\u00a0Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.\u00a0Both productions feature a talented ensemble of returning actors, including\u00a0Taysha Marie Canales<\/strong>,\u00a0Sean Close<\/strong>,\u00a0Eric Hissom<\/strong>,\u00a0Ian Merrill Peakes<\/strong>, and\u00a0Grace Gonglewski<\/strong>.\u00a0Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead<\/em>\u00a0is directed by\u00a0Jason King Jones<\/strong>, PSF\u2019s Artistic Director, while\u00a0Hamlet<\/em>\u00a0is helmed by\u00a0Lindsay Smiling<\/strong>, Co-Artistic Director at Philadelphia\u2019s\u00a0The Wilma Theater.<\/p>\n

Rounding out the summer season is Shakespeare\u2019s\u00a0Timon of Athens<\/em>. For Shakespeare enthusiasts, this production offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the Bard\u2019s lesser-known works live on stage. Presented in \u201cExtreme Shakespeare\u201d style, actors arrive with their lines learned, rehearse independently, and open within a matter of days. Longtime PSF favorite\u00a0Greg Wood<\/strong>\u00a0stars in the titular role, marking his 27th season with the Festival. Wood has played iconic roles such as Malvolio in\u00a0Twelfth<\/em>\u00a0Night<\/em>\u00a0and the title roles in\u00a0Hamlet<\/em>,\u00a0Richard III<\/em>, and\u00a0Cyrano de Bergerac<\/em>. He is currently in rehearsals for Broadway\u2019s\u00a0Othello<\/em>, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Denzel Washington.<\/p>\n

This summer also offers abundant family programming. Audiences of all ages can enjoy free performances of Shakespeare\u2019s\u00a0Much Ado About Nothing<\/em>\u00a0through PSF\u2019s \u201cPlay On!\u201d Community Tour, bringing the comedy to libraries, parks, and community centers across the region. Additionally, enjoy\u00a0The Princess and the Frog Prince<\/em>, an adaptation of the Grimms\u2019 fairy tale by Jones, directed by\u00a0Jessica Bedford<\/strong>.\u00a0Erin Sheffield\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0beloved\u00a0Shakespeare for Kids<\/em>\u00a0series, directed by\u00a0Matt Pfeiffer<\/strong>, will also bring\u00a0Hamlet<\/em>\u00a0to life for Festival audiences and through a community library tour.<\/p>\n

“The artistry we’re bringing to the stage in 2025 is thrilling. We invite everyone to come together to be entertained, to escape into unforgettable stories, to connect with friends, and to celebrate the magic of live, professional theatre right here in the heart of the Lehigh Valley,” said Jones.<\/p>\n

Single tickets are on sale beginning Monday, February 10 at 12am. Single tickets, subscriptions, and packages can be purchased\u00a0online at\u00a0pashakespeare.org<\/a>, or by calling the box office at 610.282.WILL [9455], or in person at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of DeSales University, in Center Valley, PA.<\/p>\n

The Festival\u2019s 2025 Season Sponsors are\u00a0Marilyn McDonald, MD<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Joe Folger<\/strong>. The Associate Season Sponsors are\u00a0Mary Bongiorno<\/strong>,\u00a0Linda Lapos and Paul Wirth<\/strong>,\u00a0Kathleen Kund Nolan and Timothy E. Nolan<\/strong>,\u00a0Yvonne Payne and Edward Spitzer<\/strong>,\u00a0The Szarko Family<\/strong>, and\u00a0Harry C. Trexler Trust<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The season\u2019s full casts and creative teams will be announced closer to its opening in May. Visit\u00a0pashakespeare.org<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0for the latest updates and announcements.<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival is the Lehigh Valley’s Professional Equity Theatre hosted on the campus of DeSales University.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, the official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, features acclaimed actors from Broadway, television, and film, and is the summer home to over 200 artists from around the country, including winners and nominees of the Tony, Obie, Emmy, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Jefferson, and Barrymore Awards<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2025 Summer Theatre Series\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlay On!\u201d Community Tour<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0William Shakespeare\u2019s\u00a0Much Ado About Nothing<\/em><\/p>\n

May 30 to June 15 | Directed by Jason King Jones<\/p>\n

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival\u2019s \u201cPlay On!\u201d Community Tour brings free performances of William Shakespeare\u2019s\u00a0Much Ado About Nothing<\/em>\u00a0to libraries, parks, and community centers all over the region.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the Main Stage:<\/p>\n

The Producers<\/em><\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/em>June 11 to June 29\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks. Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan.<\/em><\/p>\n

Directed by Jennifer Childs<\/em><\/p>\n

Choreographed by Tara Jeanne Vallee<\/em><\/p>\n

Adapted from Brooks\u2019 1967 film, this laugh-a-minute romp features larger-than-life characters, wickedly funny double entendres, and splashy show-stopping musical numbers. With a truly hysterical book co-written by Brooks and Thomas Meehan,\u00a0The Producers<\/em>\u00a0proudly proclaims itself an \u201cequal opportunity offender,\u201d skewering Broadway traditions with enough chutzpah to fill Times Square!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Hamlet<\/em><\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0July 9 to August 3<\/p>\n

By William Shakespeare<\/em><\/p>\n

Directed by Lindsay Smiling<\/em><\/p>\n

Shakespeare\u2019s masterpiece delves into the depths of human thought, revealing the darkness that lies beneath loyalty, love, and justice. Experience the pulse-pounding tension and psychological intrigue that have made this play endure for centuries.\u00a0Hamlet<\/em>\u00a0will play in repertory with\u00a0Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead<\/em><\/a>\u00a0– July 17 to August 2<\/p>\n

By Tom Stoppard<\/em><\/p>\n

Directed by Jason King Jones<\/em><\/p>\n

Lost in a Shakespearean drama they barely understand, two glorified extras from Hamlet stumble into the spotlight. Watch as our hapless heroes flip coins (which mysteriously keep landing heads), ponder the meaning of life (spoiler: they don\u2019t figure it out), and wonder if they\u2019re actually the main characters in someone else\u2019s tragedy. Occasionally, the \u201creal\u201d play crashes their existential party, sending them into a panic of \u201cWait, which one am I again?\u201d\u00a0Hamlet<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead\u00a0<\/em>will play in rotating repertory.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the Schubert Theatre:<\/p>\n

Penelope<\/em><\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/em>May 28 to June 8<\/p>\n

Music and Lyrics by Alex Bechtel.
\nBook by Alex Bechtel, Grace McClean, and Eva Steinmetz.
\n<\/em> Based on writings in\u00a0The Odyssey<\/em>\u00a0by Homer<\/p>\n

Directed by Eva Steinmetz<\/em><\/p>\n

A Co-production with Theatre Horizon<\/p>\n

This witty musical flips the script on the dutiful wife history wants you to believe in\u2014Penelope\u2019s done being a footnote in her husband\u2019s epic; this time, she\u2019s writing her own odyssey. With soulful songs, razor-sharp storytelling, and an onstage band doubling as her modern-day Greek chorus, Penelope transforms the tale you thought you knew into a solo cabaret act like no other.<\/p>\n

A Raisin in the Sun<\/em><\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/em>June 25 to July 13
\nBy Lorraine Hansberry<\/em><\/p>\n

Directed by Akeem Davis<\/em><\/p>\n

The members of the Younger family dream bigger than the cramped apartment where they live on the south side of Chicago.\u00a0When a life-changing insurance check arrives, three generations are suddenly given the chance to turn their hopes into reality. As they navigate the complex landscape of 1950s America, the Younger family discovers that unity, resilience, and love can overcome even the toughest challenges in their pursuit of a better life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Timon of Athens<\/em><\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/em>\u201cExtreme Shakespeare\u201d
\n<\/em> July 23 to August 3
\nBy William Shakespeare<\/em><\/p>\n

Timon of Athens, once the life of every party and generous benefactor, finds himself abandoned when his fortune runs dry. Betrayed by those he trusted most, his legendary generosity turns to seething rage, transforming him from Athens\u2019 favorite host to its most dangerous outcast. Performed \u201cExtreme Shakespeare\u201d style\u2014actors arrive with lines learned, rehearse on their own, and open within days. No directors. No designers. Just pure adrenaline and raw talent unleashed on Shakespeare\u2019s blistering commentary on wealth and loyalty.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Children\u2019s Theatre Productions:<\/p>\n

The Princess and The Frog Prince<\/em><\/a>\u00a0| July 4 to August 2 | Schubert Theatre<\/p>\n

By Jason King Jones | Based on the Grimms\u2019 Fairy Tale | Directed by Jessica Bedford<\/em>
\nThis fresh spin on the classic tale follows a basketball-loving princess who\u2019d rather shoot hoops than wait for Prince Charming. But when her ball rolls into a well, she meets an unlikely hero\u2014a talking frog under a magical spell. As friendship sparks, the duo proves that sometimes your perfect match is the teammate you least expect.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shakespeare for Kids<\/em>\u00a0(S4K<\/em>)<\/a>\u00a0presents\u00a0Hamlet<\/em>\u00a0| July 23 to August 2 | Main Stage<\/p>\n

By Erin Sheffield | Directed by Matt Pfeiffer<\/p>\n

A high energy one-hour production, S4K activates imaginations and generates laughs for the entire family. Using a combination of songs, puppets, and scenes from William Shakespeare\u2019s Hamlet, S4K provides families with the opportunity to introduce children to Shakespeare in a welcoming, super kid-friendly environment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Festival will host its annual\u00a0Community Day<\/strong>\u00a0event on\u00a0Saturday, June 28<\/strong>,\u00a02025<\/strong>. The event will take place on the mall and in front of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts at DeSales University.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Artistic Leadership:<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

JASON KING JONES<\/strong>\u00a0(Artistic Director) is excited to embark on his third year with PSF. In his first two seasons, Jason expanded the organization\u2019s footprint to include the \u201cPlay On!\u201d Community Tour, the launch of\u00a0Shakespeare 4 Kids\u00a0<\/em>to libraries, and Community Day. Prior to moving to the Lehigh Valley with his family, Jason spent ten years at Maryland\u2019s Olney Theatre Center, where he served as Senior Associate Artistic Director and Artistic Director of National Players. In the past twenty-six years Jason has directed over seventy-five productions, mentored hundreds of early-career theatre makers, and established various in-school and summer educational programs. He is an Acting Company alumnus, a proud member of the PSF Board, the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce\u2019s Nonprofit & Business Partners Council, and\u00a0the Shakespeare Theatre Association\u2019s Executive Committee.\u00a0Jason holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Missouri State and an MFA in Directing from Boston University.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CASEY WILLIAM GALLAGHER<\/strong>\u00a0(Managing Director) has worked at PSF for 26 seasons. Over the years he was a box office intern, a stage management intern, the assistant house manager, box office manager, company manager, assistant producer, director of development and worked directly with PSF Founder Jerry Schubert in the early years of the organization. Since 2004, in his role as general manager and later managing director, he served as the administrative leader of the Festival, working very closely with former Producing Artistic Director Patrick Mulcahy and the box office, business, development, marketing and production departments. Since 2023, Casey is co-leader of the Festival with Artistic Director Jason King Jones. Beyond PSF, Casey was treasurer for the Shakespeare Theatre Association, director of audience services for The People\u2019s Light & Theatre Company, a board member for Civic Theatre of Allentown, a peer panelist for the New Jersey Council on the Arts and a judge for the Greater Philadelphia Barrymore Awards for excellence in theatre.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Information provided to TVL by:
\nTina Louise Slak
\nPennsylvania Shakespeare Festival<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

***Single Tickets on Sale Monday, February 10*** Center Valley, PA: February 7, 2025\u2014Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival\u00a0(PSF) announces that\u00a0single ticket sales for its\u00a02025 Summer Theatre Series go on sale\u00a0beginning\u00a0Monday, February 10. The … Continue reading Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Announces Single Ticket Sales for 2025 Season\u2014Nine Must-See Shows Hit the Stages This Summer<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":140218,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[69,482],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-140217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-the-valley","category-press-release-2"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/shakespeare-fest.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140217"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=140217"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140217\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/140218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=140217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=140217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=140217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}