Roger Rees To Replace Brian Bedford For Acclaimed One Man Show

Dec. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, Tony Award winner Roger Rees will perform his one-man show, What You Will in a special appearance at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF. Rees replaces Brian Bedford, who, due to scheduling conflicts, will be unable to perform his one-man show, The Lunatic, The Lover and the Poet, as previously announced.

Best known to American audiences for roles on Cheers and The West Wing, Roger Rees won both the Olivier and Tony Awards for his performance as the lead character in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

“We are thrilled to have Roger to join us for this special evening, and we fully expect to see Brian Bedford perform at Orlando Shakes in the future,” states Jim Helsinger, Orlando Shakes Artistic Director.

Rees created and stars in a solo journey celebrating Shakespeare’s works, entitled What You Will: An Evening By and About the Bard. There’s Romeo, Juliet’s foolish Nurse, gory Macbeth, Hamlet, and the oh-so-tragic Richard II. He incorporates hysterical, historical and histrionic observations on the Bard by notable personalities, ranging from David Garrick to George Bernard Shaw to Stevie Wonder. Rees performs snippets of Shakespeare, peppered with anecdotes about his own and others’ experiences and opinions of the Bard.

Rees began his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company and starred in the original production of The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard in London in 1984. In New York Theater, he has won a Tony Award, an Obie Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in Indiscretions.

In television, he played opposite Laurence Olivier in The Ebony Tower, starred in the British sitcom Singles, appeared in episodes of My So-Called Life and played British Ambassador Lord John Marbury on The West Wing.  For a decade, he portrayed the dashing, feckless English tycoon Robin Colcord on the popular television sitcom Cheers. His film career includes Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Frida and The Prestige.

Recently, Rees replaced Patrick Stewart as Vladimir in the revival of Waiting for Godot, alongside Sir Ian McKellen.  He is currently playing Gomez in The Addams Family on Broadway. His upcoming work includes directing Peter and the Starcatcher, scheduled to open on Broadway next spring.

WHAT
What You Will: An Evening By and About the Bard
Written and Performed by Roger Rees

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 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.

What You Will is made possible by the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, the University of Central Florida and the English Speaking Union. 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.

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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ABOUT ORLANDO SHAKESPEARE THEATER
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.