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THE APPROACH
Beverly Hyman, Chair Jeffrey B. Konowitch, Vice Chair Jenifer Salzberg, Vice Chair Greg Lipper, Treasurer Michael A. Miller, Clerk Allyn Burrows, Artistic Director Amy Handelsman, Managing Director Henry Baker Jerome Berko Sandra Bourgeois MaConnia Chesser Kevin G. Coleman Nancy Edman Feldman Gerald Friedman* Phoebe L. Giddon Michael S. Helfer Anita F. Heller Karen A. Kowgios Barri R. Marks Helga S. Orthofer Tina Packer Andrew Rothstein Barry R. Shapiro Licia Sky David A. Smith Robert B. Strassler John Douglas Thompson Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant Kenneth E. Werner
*Trustee Emeritus
AMBASSADORS FOR SHAKESPEARE
Kevin Bartini Helene Berger Roxanne Bok Scott Bok Judy Boomer George Camarda Robert Cohen Linda B. Colvin Janet Egelhofer Randy Frank Audrey Friedner Sonya Hamlin Barbara A. Mahony Bruce Miller Deborah Miller Marybeth Mitts Mindi Morin Paul Perachi^ Claudia Perles Suzanne Priebatsch Myra Sallet Howard Shawn Natalie Shawn Steven Somkin Frank Speizer Jeanne Speizer Dottie Weber Andy Weinberger Rhea Werner Leone T. Young ^Deceased
Welcometothe 45th SeaSon ofShakeSpeare & Company
“How like a winter hath my absence been from thee.” (Sonnet 97)
While the pandemic devastated so many of our fellow artists and companies in the performance space, darkened our stages, and limited our opportunities to be together over the last two seasons, your stalwart support in the time of COVID helped Shakespeare & Company build our beautiful New Spruce Theatre.
Not only that, you packed it: for 44 sold-out performances of King Lear in 2021. How do we show our gratitude? We dedicate our Season to the spirit of reunion, and we place you, our most loyal supporters, in the center of the stage. Our celebration comes with a gift: Friday Talks and Wednesday Walks. Beginning in June we invite you to a series of free lectures, monthly on Fridays at 10:30 am. You’ll be treated to a discussion with the directors of each of our new Season's productions, who will join educator Ann Berman to examine the Season’s themes. Additionally, on Wednesdays, in July and August please join our Wednesday Walks for behind-thescenes tours of our theaters, prop and costume departments, and other nooks on our storied property.
Still, our celebration of you comes with responsibilities. We need you to spread the word: the most important action you can take is to announce to your friends when you loved one of our productions. Your word-of-mouth has been the key to our enduring 45 years of success. And, we urge you to recognize that ticket sales alone do not support a theater company – the actions that keep us thriving are as varied as they are impactful.
Board Chair Beverly Hyman
With your continued, so much appreciated support, “Here, I hope, begins our lasting joy.” (Henry VI)
Sincerely,
Beverly Hyman Chair, Board of Trustees
MAY 6 – 29
THE APPROACH
By Mark O'Rowe
Co-Directed by Mark Farrell and Tina Packer with Nicole Ansari, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, and Michelle Joyner
Three women have three conversations that draw us into their inner lives. Listen carefully: what do they reveal to each other, and what does each have to hide? A play about being human, an exploration of betrayal, and an appeal to listen before it’s too late, The Approach follows the stories of Anna, Cora, and Denise as they converse over coffee about their shared childhoods and burgeoning middle-age, leaving much left unspoken. A production The Guardian called a “jewel of a play,” The Approach delves into our collective, deep need to make sense of our world. It’s the latest work by acclaimed playwright Mark O’Rowe, past winner of the the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature – awarded to Irish writers under 40 – in recognition of his body of work. Known for raw, visceral scripts for both stage and screen in his earlier years, The Approach marks a departure from O’Rowe’s norm, celebrating more subtle examinations of communication, morality, empathy, and intuition.
Generously sponsored by Steve Bader and Cathy Monoxelos.
DIRECTOR’S TAKE
Some may remember the Rock Man in Harry Nilsson’s “The Point” telling Oblio and Arrow, “The thing is… you see what you want to see and you hear what you want to hear - dig.” Mark O’Rowe’s play, “The Approach” is a riddle. The story is told by what is not being said. It explores the fallout of all our selective seeing and hearing through the very human, rhythmic, yet mundane everyday expressions of sisters Anna and Denise and their long-time friend, Cora. Hidden in the shadows of their sharing, momentous things happen as the three women struggle with the reality of their lives. These expressions are mixed with hints of deep loss and tragedy. It’s a puzzle - and are the clues truthful or not? The play is set in the present on Grafton Street in Dublin, Ireland. But, as far as we can tell, the Catholic Church is not threatening hell fires, they break up their relationships (or try to) when they are not working. So why is it that their lives are bound by the table and the chairs? Why don’t they leave like their Irish brethren do, to America or England or other parts of the globe? It's a play about modern-day life and asks why is it so difficult for these women (and all of us) to spell out exactly what’s really happening? Something happens and the two sisters find the loyalty and love for each other while Cora is still left on the outside. Hotline for Domestic Abuse and Suicide Prevention - 866-401-2425
— Mark Farrell & Tina Packer
THE APPROACH
“Holds your attention like a transfixing riddle.”
