ODDFELLOWS PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

            Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents William’s Shakespeare’s hilarious dark comedy, All’s Well That Ends Well. This classic piece of ensemble theater, directed by Jill Giles, involves a cast of 12 talented teens from across central Connecticut and will run from November 11-20. 

            In mid-September, director Jill Giles and her teenage cast began the process of dissecting Shakespeare’s text, finding the humor, and putting the play on its feet. Nightly rehearsals include warm-ups to help the young people strengthen their voices and free their bodies, followed by text and character work and general blocking. The cast has worked hard to create this challenging piece of theater, and this production is sure to give audiences a new perspective on the Bard.

            All’s Well That Ends Well tells the story of the lovesick Helena on her journey to win the heart of the Count Rousillon. The action takes place in a small French town and travels to court to visit the cranky, albeit dying, King, to the wars in Italy , and back home again to Rousillon. A foolish braggart, a frisky clown, a lustful countess, a greedy widow and her totally hot daughter, Diana, all play their parts in this questing hero (heroine) story, where lovers exchange places in the night, characters use foreign gibberish to confuse the enemy, and everyone is happy in the end.

            A “can-can” preview of All’s Well That Ends Well will be performed on November 11 at 7 pm . All tickets are “pay-what-you-can,” and audience members are asked to bring a canned or nonperishable food item for the Amazing Grace food pantry. Additional performances are on November 12 & 13 and 19 & 20 at 8 pm . All performances will be held at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street , in Middletown , CT. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. For more information or reservations, please call (860) 347-6143.

              Major support for Oddfellows’ 2004-2005 season comes from the State Department of Education, CT Health and Educational Facilities Authority, CT Commission on Culture and Tourism, Middlesex United Way , Middletown Commission on the Arts, The J. Walton Bissell Foundation, and the Middletown Foundation for the Arts.