Orlando Shakespeare Theater Presents Tony-Award Winning Actor Brian Bedford For One Night Only

Sept. 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF (OST) is delighted to present Tony-Award Winning actor Brian Bedford in his one-man show, "The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet", playing at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

In "The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet", the internationally acclaimed classical actor creates a dramatic portrait of Shakespeare by combining the Bard's writing, the facts of his life and his own experience with Shakespeare’s plays. Using a bare stage and a stool, Mr. Bedford presents a wide range of characters from Shakespeare's greatest works, exploring the emotion and psychology behind Shakespeare the man, as well as the playwright. Through a memorable character or direct address to the audience, Mr. Bedford uses glimpses into the playwright's personality to enhance the audience's experience of the plays.

WHAT
"The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet"
Written and Performed by Brian Bedford

WHERE
Orlando Shakespeare Theater in the Margeson Theater
Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803

WHEN
One Night Only! February 29, 2012 at 7PM

Ticket prices range from $35 – $100. Tickets are available by calling (407) 447-1700, online at http://www.orlandoshakes.org or in person at the Box Office located inside the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando’s Loch Haven Cultural Park.

"The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet" is made possible by the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation. Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is supported by United Arts of Central Florida with funds from the United Arts campaign and by State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.

ABOUT BRIAN BEDFORD:
Internationally acclaimed actor Brian Bedford studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where his classmates include Peter O'Toole, Albert Finney and Alan Bates. At age 21, he played Hamlet for the Liverpool Repertory Company, followed by successful performances in London and Stratford-upon-Avon, working with, among others, Sir John Gielgud and Peter Brook. Gielgud's production of Peter Shaffer's first play, "Five Finger Exercise", brought him to New York in 1959. Since then he has starred in many Broadway productions receiving six Best Actor Tony nominations, and winning the award for Moliere's The School for Wives. Other honors include the Obie, Outer Critics Circle, L.A. Drama Critics and six N.Y. Drama Desk Awards. Mr. Bedford has directed and acted at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, the John F. Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and for 27 seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada. His one-man Shakespeare show "The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet" and his Oscar Wilde evening "Ever Yours, Oscar" have taken him around the world. Film and television credits include Oliver Stone's "Nixon", "Grand Prix", the voice of the title character in Walt Disney's "Robin Hood", "Mr. Saint Nick", "Frasier", "More Tales of the City", "Scarlett" and "Cheers". In 1997 he was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.

WEBSITE:
Please visit http://www.orlandoshakes.org/pr for recent press releases, more information about the cast, and upcoming special events.

Please contact Melissa Mason, Director of Marketing at 407-447-1700 ext. 215 or
melissam@orlandoshakes.org for further details or to arrange for individual interviews.

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Now celebrating its 23rd season, Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF has grown into one of the region’s most acclaimed Equity theaters producing bold professional theater in Central Florida. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director Shannon Lacek, Orlando Shakespeare Theater continues to achieve the highest standards, while preserving its artistic and cultural legacy. Through PlayFest! The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays, Orlando Shakespeare Theater is nationally recognized for its contribution to the development of new plays. Orlando Shakes also provides innovative educational experiences through its youth education programming, serving over 25,000 young people, families, and schools annually.