Media contact:

Rick Engler, 973-408-3807 or rengler@ShakespeareNJ.org

Andrew Murad , 973-408-3261 or amurad@ShakespeareNJ.org

The Shakespeare Theatre's production of Amadeus is made possible by a generous gift from the Pamela and Bill Craven Charitable Fund.   "We are honored and humbled to receive this extraordinary and generous sponsorship gift,¡¨ said Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte. ¡§This kind of leadership support is invaluable to our mission of bringing epic-scope world classics to our stage.¡¨

Inspired by a short play by Aleksandr Pushkin entitled "Mozart and Salieri,¨ Amadeus premiered on Broadway in 1980 and went on to win five Tony Awards including Best Play. The piece derives its title from a pen name that Wolfgang Mozart often used. It is filled with music by Mozart and his rival, the composer Salieri, who appears as the other major character in Amadeus. In 1984, Amadeus was released as a feature film starring F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce. The film won eight Oscars including Best Picture and Best Writing for playwright Peter Shaffer.

Amadeus is an intriguing, fictionalized account of the mysterious relationship between the great celebrated young Mozart, and his contemporary Salieri. While Salieri considers the great composer a genius, he believes he is flawed beyond redemption by his crude and juvenile demeanor. Driven by zeal and ravaged with jealously, Salieri plots to silence the great composer and destroy his character and reputation.

The 17 member cast is led by Broadway and Shakespeare Theatre veteran Robert Cuccioli in the role of Salieri. Cuccioli received a Tony Award nomination, and the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for the Broadway hit sensation Jekyll and Hyde. Recently, he appeared in the critically acclaimed Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris off-Broadway. Other Broadway and off-Broadway credits include Javert in Les Miserables, And The World Goes 'Round, Temporary Help, and Enter The Guardsman. At The Shakespeare Theatre, he has played the title roles in Julius Caesar and Macbeth and appeared in Carnival, Antony and Cleopatra and Enter The Guardsman. Locally, Cuccioli has appeared in Guys and Dolls, Funny Girl and Oklahoma among others at Paper Mill Playhouse; and The School for Scandal at McCarter Theatre. He has also appeared in Hamlet at The Shakespeare Theatre Company, DC and in Antony and Cleopatra at The Guthrie. He is featured on the cast records of Jekyll and Hyde, And The World Goes 'Round, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, and The New Picasso.

Jordan Coughtry plays the young Mozart. Coughtry returns to The Shakespeare Theatre for his fourth season having appeared in Henry VI: Blood & Roses, Cymbeline and The Merry Wives of Windsor in addition to A Midsummer Night's Dream and Hamlet with Shakespeare LIVE!, the Theatre's educational touring theatre company. Regionally, he has appeared at The Human Race Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival and The Shakespeare Theatre Company, DC. Coughtry also appeared at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in Love's Labour's Lost.

Tricia Paoluccio returns to The Shakespeare Theatre to play Constanze, Mozart's wife. Paoluccio appeared in The Shakespeare Theatre productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, School for Scandal, Henry V, and Cyrano de Bergerac -- the inaugural production of the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2008. On Broadway, Paoluccio played Chava in the recent revival of Fiddler on the Roof, appeared in The Green Bird directed by Julie Taymor, and the revival of A View from the Bridge directed by Michael Mayer. Off-Broadway, she appeared as Cressida in Troilus and Cressida at Theatre for a New Audience, directed by Sir Peter Hall.

Mark H. Dold returns to the Shakespeare Theatre to take on the role of Joseph II, the Emperor of Austria. At The Shakespeare Theatre, Dold appeared at Cloten in Cymbeline. His Broadway and off-Broadway credits include the revival of Absurd Person Singular, Shockheaded Peter and The Seagull with Meryl Streep at the NY Shakespeare Festival.

Other cast members returning to the Shakespeare Theatre are Robert Hock, Greg Jackson, Darren Kelly, John Little, Colin McPhillamy, Patrick Toon, and Tom Robenolt. Also appearing are Jon Barker, Robyn Berg, Christopher J. Payseur, and Mary Trotter.

Special Opening Night Event

The Opening Night of Amadeus, on Saturday, May 31st at 7 p.m. will feature a trio from the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey performing Mozart and Salieri pieces both pre-show and following the performance, during the Opening Night reception. The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, founded by Conductor/Music Director Robert W. Butts in 1996, is North Jersey's only community orchestra specializing in the baroque and classical music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The orchestra's larger repertoire includes works from all eras ¡V but the core selections are derived from Baroque and Classical periods, ranging from the early sounds of Monteverdi to the nearly Romantic sounds of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. Part of the orchestra's mission is to include important works by significant composers not as familiar to contemporary audiences. For more information about the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, visit www.baroqueorchestra.org.

About the Director

Director of Amadeus, Joe Discher begins his 18th Season at The Shakespeare Theatre where he is the Associate Artistic Director. On the Main Stage, Discher has directed The Play's The Thing, Cymbeline, Life of Galileo, Of Mice and Men, A Midwinter Night's Dream, The Fantasticks and Twelfth Night in addition to That Scoundrel Scapin on the Outdoor Stage. He has also directed for several education programs at the Theatre. He directed Julius Caesar for The Shakespeare Theatre of St. Louis, which broke all attendance records, playing to 50,000 in three weeks. He sings professionally at St. Cassian Church in Upper Montclair and previously sang for four years at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. He is a proud alumnus of Drew University, and Delbarton School.

Tickets to Amadeus the entire Shakespeare Theatre season are now on sale. Discount ticket packages offering a choice of 6, 5, or 4 plays at reduced prices are also available. For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Single tickets include a $1 facility fee, not subject to discount.

Special Performances

Performances of Amadeus begin with Previews on Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m. and Friday May 30 at 8 p.m. These Preview performances offer opportunities for reduced-priced tickets while enjoying the excitement of the very first performances in front of an audience. As always, the first preview performance is Pay What You Wish night. Visit The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office between noon and curtain on May 28 and name your own admission price for that evening¡¦s 7:30 preview performance (regularly $29 to $33, offer subject to availability).

For no more than the cost of a regular ticket, Symposium Series performances include a post-play discussion with the cast and artistic staff, on Tuesday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m.

On Thursday, June 5, The Shakespeare Theatre presents the popular education program Know the Show. From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., artists from The Shakespeare Theatre will present a pre-performance talk that provides background information and an insider¡¦s perspective on Amadeus. General admission is $5 for the general public, $4 for ticket package holders. Tickets to that evening¡¦s 8:00 p.m. performance may be purchased separately for $42 or $46.

Student Matinees

In addition to regular public performances, The Shakespeare Theatre will present special Student Matinee performances of Amadeus for school groups. Student Matinees are at 10:30 a.m. Tickets to these school-time performances are only $15 per person for student groups, including a post-show discussion with the actors and a comprehensive study guide for each teacher. For Student Matinee reservations and more information, call 973-408-3980 or e-mail JBGrant@ShakespeareNJ.org

The Artistic Staff

Creating the world of Amadeus are set designer Richard Block, lighting designer Mathew Adelson, costume designer Maggie Dick, and sound designer Richard M. Dionne. Christine Whalen serves as production stage manager.

Tickets & General Information

Preview performances of Amadeus are Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2 at 8:00 p.m., offering the thrill of seeing a work-in-progress before the show officially opens. Preview tickets are $29 and $33.

Additional performances are Tuesdays and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. (excluding Opening Night at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31); Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.; and Sundays, at 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $38 to $53 depending upon seating location and performance day and time. Single tickets prices include a $1 facility fee, not subject to discount. Groups of 10 or more save up to 25% off the regular ticket price.

Patrons can save up to 45% off regular ticket prices by purchasing discount Ticket Packages that allow ticket buyers to select six, five or four plays of their choice at discount prices. Ticket Packages also offer additional benefits such as discounts on additional tickets and free and flexible ticket exchange privileges. Patrons may also select FlexPasses -- discounted vouchers that are redeemed for tickets during the season. Ticket packages start at $72.

The 2008 Main Season also features Shakespeare's King Lear which runs July 2 through July 27. Renowned actor Daniel Davis (from television's The Nanny) brings the great anti-hero to life in this towering masterpiece where fools and madmen lead the blind.

Noel Coward¡¦s comedy Private Lives begins performances on August 6 and runs through August 31. Coward¡¦s deliciously witty expose of ¡§private lives¡¨ follows two couples from the shores of the French Riviera to a chic, Parisian pied-a-terre where the marital fireworks explode in a riotous display of verbal and physical comedy.

The Fall portion of the season begins with Tennessee William's tour de force A Streetcar Named Desire running September 10 through October 5. Williams¡¦ magnificent play of sensuality and fragility, cruelty and broken souls, has given the world the immortal Blanche du Bois, played in this production by the dazzling star of Broadway and film, Laila Robins.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet begins performances on October 15 and continues to November 16. One of the most tragic and beautiful love stories ever penned -- as wrenching a tale for old as it is for young ¡V it has been nearly a decade since its brilliant characters and poetry illuminated The Shakespeare Theatre stage.

The season concludes with Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale running December 3 through December 28. The first of Shakespeare's great romances, The Winter's Tale provides a perfect holiday finale, for it is a play that celebrates the triumph of love, nobility and all things good, and ends with the promise of rejuvenation, redemption, and hope.

The Shakespeare Theatre will once again present Shakespeare under-the-stars at its Outdoor Stage ¡V the Greek Theatre at the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station. The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) will run June 18 through July 20. A multitude of side-splitting Shakespeare ¡§riffs¡¨ will leave audiences of all ages rolling in the aisles, functioning as cheering sections and tapping their toes in rhythm to the percussive ¡§music¡¨ of iambic pentameter as three wild and crazy actors take us on a rollercoaster ride through the Bard¡¦s canon. Ticket for The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) are now on sale. Tickets are $31 for adults and $16 for children. Single tickets include a $1 facility fee, not subject to discount.

For more information about the season, to receive a free brochure, or to purchase tickets and ticket packages, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Main Stage, the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, is conveniently located in Madison at 36 Madison Avenue (Route 124) at Lancaster Road (on the Drew University campus), just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free. The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is barrier free with access into the theatre via a ramp and elevator access to all floors. Wheelchair seating and transfer seating is available. Braille and large print programs are available. Infrared listening devices are available free of charge. Some performances are audio described, captioned and sign-language interpreted. Contact the theatre for more information. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

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The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey¡¦s only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare¡¦s canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey¡¦s programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional major support is received from The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the F. M. Kirby Foundation, The Edward T. Cone Foundation, The Shubert Foundation and Drew University, as well as contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, government agencies and individuals. American Airlines is the official airline of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Crystal Rock Water is the company¡¦s official water provider. Barefoot Wine is the official wine provider. The 2007 Outdoor Stage production of The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) is sponsored by Bank of America.

General Information

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Bonnie J. Monte

MAIN STAGE:                                                                

F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre                                

36 Madison Ave. (at Lancaster Rd.)              

Madison, NJ                                                                    

(on the campus of Drew University)                            

OUTDOOR STAGE:

The Greek Theatre

2 Convent Road (at Convent Station)

Morris Township, NJ

(on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth)

TICKETS & INFO: Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

Amadeus -- Snapshot

Venue: F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Rd. in Madison
(on the campus of Drew University)

Performances: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm; Thursday ¡V Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 7 pm; Saturday and Sundays at 2 pm. Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

Tickets: $29/$33 for Previews. Additional performances: $38 - $53 ¡V Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Single ticket prices include a $1 facility fee, not subject to discount.

Previews: Wednesday &Thursday, May 28th and 29th at 7:30 p.m., and Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m.

Opening Night: Saturday, May 31 (7pm)

Symposium Performances: Tuesday, June 3 (7:30 pm); Saturday, June 7 (2pm)

Know the Show: Thursday, June 5 (7pm)

Closing performance: Sunday, June 22 (2pm)

Performances:

Tuesdays: June 3, 10, 17 at 7:30 pm

Wednesdays: May 28, June 4, 11, 18 at 7:30 pm

Thursdays: May 29, June 5, 12, 19 at 8 pm

Fridays: May 30, June 6, 13, 20 at 8 pm

Saturdays: May 31 at 7 pm, June 7, 14, 21 at 8 pm

Sundays: June 1, 8, 15 at 7 pm

Saturdays: May 31, June 7, 14, 21 at 2 pm

Sundays: June 1, 8, 15, 22 at 2 pm