Watch the 2012 Season Unfold!

Want to learn about the behind-the-scenes artistic development of our 2012 season? Find out who's who and what's what...Check out the blog of artistic director Deb Alley.

Announcing the 2012 Season!

We are very pleased to announce that another great season is ahead for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival:

A season of love, lies, deceit, and secret identities!

As You Like It, by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s most joyous play about love and life!  When Rosalind is exiled from her uncle’s court, she disguises herself as a boy named Ganymede and heads for the magical Forest of Arden.  There, she finds a world of eccentric exiles and comical rustics.  She also finds Orlando - who under the guidance of Ganymede will learn to woo Rosalind.

Othello, by William Shakespeare

Othello is at the top of his game: victorious in war and showered with honors.  When his marriage to an extraordinary young woman meets with her father’s condemnation, the evil Iago seizes the opportunity for revenge. Jealousy, deception, and intrigue mark this story of a decorated general driven to the extremes of rage by Shakespeare’s most perfect villain.

The Rivals, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

When the word mangling Mrs. Malaprop threatens to marry her niece to the highly “illegible” Captain Jack Absolute, the young girl rebels.  Having read one too many romance novels, Miss Lydia Languish is intent on marrying the poor but handsome ensign who’s been courting her.  The captain may have no choice but to challenge the ensign to a duel – even though he and his rival are one and the same person.  One of the funniest plays in the English language!

Comedy of Errors, by William Shakespeare

Two pairs of identical twins separated at birth – each pair sharing the same names!   When one pair stumbles unknowingly into the hometown of the other pair, confusion and mayhem follow!  Shakespeare’s silliest comedy is also the heart-warming story of families reuniting under the most unusual circumstances. 

June 28 - August 11, 2012

Tickets on sale beginning January 9

Gift certificates are available now!! Make someone's birthday or holiday a special one this year!

Great Season!

Thank you all for your support, we had another great season. Here is what people said about us:

From Facebook:

"Whether you love everything Shakespeare has ever done, or you just know him as 'the guy that wrote all of those high-falutin' plays,' you will absolutely love The Complete Works (Abridged)."

"Your production of Romeo and Juliet was, I think, the most perfectly thought out and envisioned production ever! I lost a corner of my Man Card. I cried."

"Saw this last night. One of the best Festival performances I've seen, and *the best* Romeo and Juliet I've ever attended. Laura Rook was amazing as Juliet. I really appreciated her humor throughout. Thank you for an awesome night!"

From A Follow Spot:

"I would call this a stylish, emotional “Winter’s Tale,” clear on the idea that men like Leontes, who put power and control above everything else, will ultimately destroy what they care about most. Though Leontes is lucky enough to find his wife and daughter again, he has also lost his son and wasted 16 years."

From Pamplet Press:

"But what hits the audience squarely between the eyes, early on, seems to be the (sometimes) creative use of prop humor. This occurs with a real crash when Tom and Dave's aluminum recreational vehicle (earlier abandoned after an unfortunate accident returning from a NASCAR race) literally explodes through the set onto the stage. Another wild bit of prop humor occurs during Romeo and Juliet's death scene, involving Juliet's hat. I'll say no more, except that I was laughing so hard that I couldn't hear the lines and thought someone would have to Heimlich me!"

From The Pantagraph:

"Both the costumes (Linda Pisano) and the sound design (Aaron Paolucci) add tremendously to the texture and accessibility of this spirited show.  The 16th century costume lines are there but jazzed up with tight jeans, colorful sneakers, and splash after splash of fizzy unexpectedness.  Similarly, the sound design ranges from contemporary teen love songs (such as the moment when the star-cross’d lovers first meet) to dark rock to classical acoustic."

"Promising to "Git er done!," Tom, Dave and Gaga (Gerson Dacanay)bundle their abundant skills and propel themselves forward at breakneck speed, employing guitars, banjos, sock puppets and a whole lot of costume changes, all the while condensing Shakespeare's great works into an evening that is pure joy."

From Ticketmaster:

"Wow! We were blown away by the quality of the acting and the staging of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo's performance was especially impressive. It was our first time to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and as we were leaving my 15-year old said "We've got to come to more of these!" The grounds and buildings are stunning - what a perfect place for a Shakespeare Festival. Sitting in that beautiful amphitheatre and feeling a light breeze as you listened was a magical experience. And the staff and service were exceptional. Well done!"

Photo Gallery

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)

Romeo and Juliet

The Winter's Tale

Twelfth Night

Ticket Sales

Tickets will go on sale in early January.

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