King Lear
The Rosebriar Shakespeare Company believes in the living value of classic works by great playwrights, of which, many consider Shakespeare the greatest. We dedicate ourselves to presenting audience-accessible productions that hopefully illuminate as well as entertain. This is the company's fourth presentation of King Lear but our first here at our new Groveport home! I was in the first when John Heisel, the company's founder, portrayed Lear and the third, which he directed with Columbus actor Andy Taylor in the title role and yours truly as the Duke of Albany. Why return to this play again? Why address the cruelties of taking a man's sight? Of turning another out into the cold? Or devaluing another, in an almost offhand manner, because of the illegitimacy of his birth? For a Shakespeare company, it is important to return to the masterwork of its namesake, if only as a yardstick to measure what the company can do artistically: to place a fresh imprint on a cultural touchstone.
For actors, there's the promise of a great character, maybe some stage combat and whether one is a true "fan of the scan" or not, to speak Shakespeare's beautiful, moving verse. As director, it would be great to tell you that I return to King Lear to honor the prophecy of the playÕs last lines "to speak what we feel not what we ought to say" but honestly, and selfishly, I hoped to direct King Lear because I wanted to better comprehend the play. What better way to understand a story than to try to tell it? It is my hope that you feel the genuine collaborative effort that went into this production because in trying to understand this story, I often asked the actors what it was that was happening. And they told me. I also hope that as these characters in this story of love and politics stride past, that you connect, smile and find yourself at some point, moved.
Thank you to the cast and crew, especially those who greeted my nuttiest notions with enthusiasm and those who stepped up to take on extra work during the production. And to Lily and Faye and all my friends and family! Special thanks to each of Rosebriar's Artistic Directors: John Heisel, for convincing me I could understand Shakespeare and for his great example. Peg Collins, for her encouragement and help and friendship. Kirsten Upchurch, for her assitance exploring this play further. Erin Burchwell, for her talent, support and ongoing friendship. Humongous thanks and great big ups to the cast of King Lear '08!"
Manny Flowers
Director
Sunday, November 2, Students with a valid Student ID are invited for the price of a donation. Afterward, the Cast will be conducting a “Talk Back” where students and fellow audience members can discuss the Production, Poe, Rosebriar and the actors’ experiences.
During the show’s run, Photo Forum will be exhibiting their photography on the 2nd Floor of the Groveport Tall Hall.
Directed by Manny Flowers,
Artistic Director Erin Burchwell
Jan. 24, 25, 26 - 7:30 pm
Jan. 27 - 2:00 pm
Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 2 - 7:30 pm
Groveport Town Hall
648 Main St.,
Groveport, OH 43125
Directions>
Ticket prices:
Adults: $10 pre-sale, $12 at door
Children/Students/Seniors:
$8 pre-sale, $10 at door
For reservations call our
Box office:
Go Groveport!
607 Main St,
Groveport, OH 43125
614-836-7939
Directions>
Special Dinner presentation:
Nov. 9 - 3:00 pm
Ravenwood Castle
65666 Bethel Road
New Plymouth, Ohio 45654
Directions>
For reservations call:
Toll Free: 800-477-1541
Local: 740-596-2606
Cast & Crew
Sean Arata (Fool) An archeologist by trade, Sean is eager to get back into theater. He spent many long hours in the theater in high school, but let the world get in the way for the last seven years. He has long been a fan of Shakespeare, and is overjoyed to play such a wonderfully beleaguered character, as the Fool. He would like to thank Jessica for putting up with all the long hours.
Joel B. Cohen (Duke of Albany) appeared as Mr. Whitney in Port Tobacco (Maryland) Players' Anything Goes in 1989. His toddler son cried loudly at opening night, suspending dad's stage singing/acting/dancing for the next 18 years, until spring 2007 with Gallery Players' Urinetown The Musical, followed by Worthington Community Theater's Annie Get Your Gun (Colonel Buffalo Bill Cody), Brabantio/Gratiano in Rosebriar Shakespeare's Othello, Wagnall's Family Theater's It's A Wonderful Life The Musical (Uncle Billy), and Actors' Theatre summer 2008 productions of Macbeth and Cyrano de Bergerac. Recipient of a prestigious Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival scholarship in 1973, BalletMet dance classes when possible, economist by day, father of talented college theater major daughter Ani and of increasingly appreciative scientist son Ariel, advisory board member of OhioDance, past board member of Congregation Beth Tikvah.
James C. Daniels (Kent) Jim is a veteran of the Little Theatre off Broadway (Grove City) stage, where he has acted, helped build sets and done publicity over the past decade. Shakespeare and Rosebriar are challenges he takes on now that both his kids (Emily: senior at Wittenberg; Tom: freshman at Pitt,) are off to college. As far as the day-job thing, Jim works as a video writer/producer. Love to Meg and "Walkies!" to Leonard and Buph.
Aaron Einhorn (Edward & Fight Coordinator) Aaron is happy to be returning to the Rosebriar stage, having previously appeared in Hamlet and MacBeth. Aaron is also excited to be able to once again choreograph acts of violence on the Columbus stage. Aaron holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Miami U., and is an Advanced Actor/Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. He would like to thank his friends, family, and mentors; and especially give thanks to his wife, Christina, and two beautiful daughters, Cordelia and Miranda.
Manny Flowers (Director & Lighting) Five-time runner-up for Mr. Towtruck/Oregon (subcompact division): Mr. Congeniality: All-World Part-Time Host at J.B. McGinnick's. Can I talk with you after the show, over mint juleps, about a career opportunity involving real estate?
Heather Green (Cordelia) Originally from Mount Vernon Ohio, Heather graduated in 2006 from ONU with a BFA in Music Theater, and a minor in Music composition. This international musician, and actor, produces small theatrical shows, and provides entertainment for weddings and corporate parties all over Ohio with her production company J&H Productions. While performing in Chicago, she interned at TP&R Casting where she helped cast a number of national commercials, indie films, and one major film, "The Express", which came out on October 10, this year. Ms Green teaches privately and is a manager and assistant director of Prestige Music Studios in Powell, OH. Ms Green dedicates her performance to her Daddy, John Green.
Harlow Keith (Cornwall) is the President of the Board of Trustees for Rosebriar Shakepeare Company and has performed for Rosebriar in Richard III, King Lear, Macbeth, Merchant of Venice, Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing among other plays. He is an Executive Producer for the Cinema Lexzikon feature film, Demons Rising and Harlow is also an Executive Producer for the Rio Films nature documentary Channel Islands-A California Adventure.
Keith Maloney (Glouster) is excited to be back on stage with Rosebrier again. He was last seen in their production of Much Ado About Nothing. Before that in The Merry Wives Of Winsor as Mistress Quickly and the Fairy Queen. He would like to thank everyone at Rosebrier for asking him back and for all of their support during the show. As always, thanks to Jan and Erin for letting him "come out and play".
Danielle Mari (Goneril & Sound Engineer) Danielle feels thrilled to make her Ohio stage debut with the raucous rapscallions at Rosebriar. She spent the last 15 years earning her Masters in Theatre from Northwestern U., then using it to play with various Chicago companies, including the Second City, Infamous Commonwealth, Backstage Theatre Company, and various others. Danielle dedicates this performance to the memory of Professor Brady..."a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy..." Adieu!
Tahrea Maynard (Regan) This is Tahrea's second production with Rosebriar, her first being The Merry Wives Of Windsor. She has done 16 productions with her home theatre Roundtown Players. Since, 2004, as a disclaimer, Tahrea wishes everyone to know that whatever you see in this production today is in no way a reflection of how she is, or can be, in real life... most of the time.
Lynn Moyer (Actor #1/Old Man/Curan/Gentleman & Stage Manager) Lynn is proud to be a "newbie" to both Shakespeare and Rosebriar. She has been on stage, backstage, and generally all over the stage since age 12, performing with various community theaters, and churches. Although Lynn has no formal schooling in acting, experience in over 35 plays has shown to be the best instructor for her. Today, Lynn dedicates her performance to those who believed in her most...family, a few friends, and various Òimportant peopleÓ in her life. "Luv Ya Special K.!!" And thanks to the cast, crew and all of those at Rosebriar for their help and support.
Jason Newsome (Actor #2/King of France/Soldier) Jason has done a show here and there. He has performed several times with Rosebriar, and is happy to be back. He has also done film and commercials. He currently has a spot on TV you may get tired of seeing Ð it is a political ad.
Daniel Patrick Smail (Edgar) This is Daniel's 14th production with Rosebriar, since 2005. He is 23 and single. Daniel has been doing shows on stage since age 5, and sometimes is on TV. Daniel is trained in singing, guitar; and stage/sport combat and other weapons; and hand-to-hand combat. He is very excited to be working with both new, and old, cast members. "We all hope you enjoy the show. Laugh, clap, cry, experience every emotion. And welcome to King Lear!"
Douglas Whaley (King Lear) Douglas was involved in theater in high school, college, and community productions prior to becoming a law professor. After 30 yrs of teaching at OSU, Douglas retired in 2004, and returned to the theatre. He has acted in a number of shows for the Worthington Community Theater, Little Theatre Off Broadway, and Rosebriar (The Importance Of Being Earnest-Dr. Chasuble). Douglas has appeared in two other of ShakespeareÕs plays; Brutus in Julius Ceasar (high school), and Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing.
Garison Wills (Oswald & Props/Set Design) Garison is very pleased to be back in Rosebriar for his first Shakespearean production since the last century. He is especially grateful to Manny for his guidance and direction, which is in direct opposition to his ability to navigate central Ohio!
