MADISON , NJ —The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey ushers in the summer with a hilarious farce about the art of theatre , The Play's The Thing by Ferenc Molnar and adapted by P.G. Wodehouse. Featuring Broadway veteran Mark Jacoby , who last appeared at The Shakespeare Theatre in the musical adaptation of Molnar's Enter the Guardsman , The Play's the Thing begins performances on June 5 and continues through July 1 . Jacoby recently appeared on Broadway in the revival of Sweeney Todd and just concluded a run as the Major-General in The Pirates of Penzance at New York City Opera. He has also appeared on Broadway in Ragtime , Man of La Mancha , Showboat (for which he was nominated for a Tony Award) and as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera . Performances are Tuesday through Sundays at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage – the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison . Regular ticket prices are $28-$52. Discount ticket packages of 6, 5 or 4 shows are also available. For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Considered to be one of the funniest comedies ever written about the act of creating theatre, The Play's the Thing begins with a playwright, his collaborator, and a young composer working on how best to begin a play. It isn't long before we know of the love-torn composer's passionate feelings for a beautiful actress and her feelings toward her former suitor – an almost over-the-hill leading man whose histrionics defy description. Overheard conversations, behind-the-scenes

trickery, and a clever, conniving playwright with pen in hand, provide the ingredients for a

sparkling evening of farce, laughter and delight.

About the Cast

Mark Jacoby plays the Playwright, Sandor Turai. Joining him is British actor Colin McPhillamy as the collaborator, Mansky. McPhillamy appeared on Broadway in Waiting in the Wings and off-Broadway in House and Garden . He has appeared on television in Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Eastenders and in the film The Madness of King George . Jared Zeus returns to The Shakespeare Theatre for his 10 th Season to play Albert, the young composer who is passionately in love with the beautiful actress. Zeus most recently appeared in The Shakespeare Theatre's production of Cymbeline in addition to 11 previous Main Stage productions. He recently appeared in the national tour of Mamma Mia and in the off-Broadway hit Zanna, Don't!

Caralyn Kozlowski returns to The Shakespeare Theatre to take on the role of the prima donna caught between the love-struck composer and the advances of her dashing leading man. Last seen at The Shakespeare Theatre in The Importance of Being Earnest , she has also appeared on television in Law and Order: SVU , The Guiding Light and All My Children . Robert Gomes plays Almady, who defines the word “melodramatic.” Gomes appeared last season in The Shakespeare Theatre's production of Cymbeline and has appeared on Broadway in The Last Night of Ballyhoo and Racing Demon .

Also appearing in The Play's The Thing is Shakespeare Theatre company member Gregory Jackson as Mr. Mell who tries valiantly to keep the facts and his duties straight while preparing for the long anticipated performance by the famous actor and actress. Jackson recently created and starred in the off-Broadway hit DUET! John Little , who appeared at The Shakespeare Theatre last in The Merry Wives of Windsor, plays the hilarious butler Dwornitschek.

For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

About The Playwright

Ferenc Molnar was a Hungarian-American playwright who penned more than 40 plays, novels

and stories. Born in Budapest , Molnar began as a journalist and served as a war correspondent

during World War I. Upon moving to the United States , Molnar found success as a playwright and many of his plays were published and produced. Some of his most popular plays include Liliom which was later adapted into the Rogers and Hammerstein musical Carousel ; The Guardsman which became a film of the same name, as well as the musical Enter The Guardsman, which was produced on The Shakespeare Theatre stage in 1999; and Rough Crossing which was adapted by Tom Stoppard.

Also in June

Comedy in June continues with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Outdoor Stage production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream . The most famous comedy of all time begins performances on June 19 at the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth 's in Convent Station, just minutes from Madison . A Midsummer Night's Dream under-the-stars continues performances through July 22. For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Special Performances

The first public performance of The Play's The Thing on Tuesday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. offers opportunities for reduced-price or free tickets, as in incentive to first-time theatergoers as well as those who would otherwise not be able to afford a night at the theatre. As always, the first preview performance is Pay What You Wish night. Visit The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office between noon and 7:00 p.m. on June 5 and name your own admission price for that evening's 7:30 preview performance (regularly $28 to $32, offer subject to availability).

For no more than the cost of a regular ticket, Symposium Series performances include the additional treat of a post-play discussion with the cast and artistic staff, on Tuesday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m.

On Thursday, June 14, The Shakespeare Theatre presents the popular education program Know the Show . From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., a member of the artistic staff of The Theatre will present a pre-performance talk that provides background information and an insider's perspective on The Play's The Thing .

General admission to Know The Show 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 $41 or $45.

About the Director

2007 marks Joe Discher's 17 th season with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. In addition to being a resident director, Discher serves as the Associate Artistic Director of The Shakespeare Theatre. Last fall, Discher directed the Kevin Klein Award-nominated Julius Caesar for The Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis. For The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Discher has directed numerous Main Stage productions including Life of Galileo , Of Mice and Men , The Fantasticks and Twelfth Night as well as productions for The Shakespeare Theatre's touring companies Shakespeare LIVE ! and the Next Stage Ensemble; and several productions on The Theatre's Other Stage.

The Artistic Staff

Creating the world of the Italian Riviera in the early 1900's are set designer Jesse Dreikosen, lighting designer Bruce C. Auerbach, and costume designer Brian Russman. Jennifer Grutza serves as production stage manager.

Tickets & General Information

Preview performances of The Play's the Thing are Tuesday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday, June 6 and 7 at 8:00 p.m. Previews offer the thrill of seeing a work-in-progress before the show officially opens. Preview tickets are $28 to $32.

Additional performances are Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. (excluding Opening Night at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 9); Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m., beginning June 10; and Sundays, at 7:00 p.m.

Regular ticket prices range from $37 to $52 depending upon seating location and performance day and time. Groups of 10 or more save up to 25% off the regular ticket price.

Patrons can save up to $100 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 flexible ticket exchange privileges. Patrons may also select FlexPasses -- discounted vouchers that are redeemed for tickets during the season. Ticket Packages start at $96.

The 45 th Anniversary Main Stage Season also includes Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare (July 10 – 29); the absurdist comedy The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco (August 7 – 26); the rarely produced, Pulitzer Prize-winning The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan (September 4 – 30); Blood & Roses: Shakespeare's Henry VI adapted by Brian B. Crowe (Oct. 9 – Nov. 11); and the family classic tale The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck; adapted by Bonnie J. Monte (Nov. 27 – December 31).

The Shakespeare Theatre will once again present Shakespeare under-the-stars at its Outdoor Stage – the Greek Theatre at the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station. Shakespeare's most popular comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream will run June 19 – July 22.

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 Outdoor Stage is located at the Greek Theatre, 2 Convent Rd. at Convent Station – on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth . Parking is free. For more information , or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

# # #

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 A Midsummer Night's Dream is sponsored by Bank of America.

General Information

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Bonnie J. Monte

MAIN STAGE:   OUTDOOR STAGE:

F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre   The Greek Theatre

36 Madison Ave. (at Lancaster Rd. )   2 Convent Road (at Convent Station)

Madison , NJ   Morris Township , NJ

(on the campus of Drew University )   (on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth )

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

The Play's The Thing – Snapshot

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

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

Tickets : $28 to $52 – Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

Previews: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, June 5, 6, 7

Opening Night: Saturday, June 9 (7pm)

Symposium Performances: Tuesday, June 12 (7:30 pm); Saturday, June 16 (2pm)

Know The Show: Thursday, June 14 (7pm)

Closing performance: Sunday, July 1 (2pm)

Performances:

Tuesdays: June 5, 12, 19, 26 at 7:30 pm

Wednesdays: June 6, 13, 20, 27 at 8 pm

Thursdays: June 7, 14, 21, 28 at 8 pm

Fridays: June 8, 15, 22, 29 at 8 pm

Saturdays: June 9 at 7 pm; June 16, 23, 30 at 8 pm

Sundays: June 10, 17, 24 at 7 pm

Saturdays: June 16, 23, 30 at 2 pm

Sundays: June 10, 17, 24 and July 1 at 2 pm