Orlando Shakespeare Theater Presents Reading Of Sweet Bird Of Youth On January 8, 2012

Dec. 20, 2011 - PRLog -- Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF (OST) celebrates the 100th birthday of American playwright Tennessee Williams through its popular free reading series, Three By Tenn. The three-part series continues with William’s controversial and disturbing play, SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH, on Sunday, January 8th, 2012 at 7PM.

Biting and brutal, lyrical and lurid, Williams masterfully unfolds his story of local boy gone bad Chance Wayne and his temperamental companion, faded movie star Princess Kosmonopolis, amidst a backdrop of small town narrow-mindedness and heightened racial tensions. When Chance returns home to reclaim his childhood sweetheart, Princess forces him to face the brutal truth -- lost innocence is impossible to resurrect but shame and regret live on forever.  Directed by Patrick Flick and featuring an all-star cast of Orlando audience favorites, SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH crackles with sexual tension and wicked humor, creating an absorbing play about crushed dreams and devastating failure.

Orlando actors Anne Hering* (Princess Kosmonopolis) and Mark Whitten* (Chance Wayne) bring St. Cloud to life, with fellow cast members Ron Schneider* (Boss Finley), John Connon* (Tom Junior), Jennifer Bonner (Miss Lucy), Ryan Czerwonko (The Heckler), Bradford D. Frost (Scotty), Kraig Kelsey (Bud), Amanda Leakey (Edna), Elizabeth Murff (Aunt Nonnie), Megan Pickrell (Violet), Nathan W. Raley (Hatcher), Rudy Roushdi (Fly/Charles), Matthew Natale Rush (George Scudder), Michael Shenefelt (Stuff), and Kelli Rose Sleigh (Heavenly Finley).  The stage management team includes Isis Blanco and Adrienne Forsythe. *Actors appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.

Orlando Shakes concludes its reading series on March 11, 2012 with Tennessee William’s iconic masterpiece about a torrid love triangle, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Delicate Southern belle Blanche DuBois arrives at her sister Stella's French Quarter row house where she encounters her sweat-stained brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski. As passions erupt, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE paints an absorbing tragedy of a woman struggling against a harsh world, creating a night of compelling, intensely emotional theater.

There is no charge for this event and reservations are not required; however, limited seating is available. The reading will be held in the Goldman Theater at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park.

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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.