Standup Shakespeare (Folger Theatre, 1994)
Folger Theatre produced Standup Shakespeare, book by Kenneth Welsh and music by Ray Leslee, from March 18 to April 2, 1994. This production took place in the Folger's Elizabethan Theatre.
Synopsis
Standup Shakespeare sets the timeless language of the Bard to the exciting rhythms of jazz, baroque, samba and gospel-rock original music. A fractured love story is performed by a modern-day Fool and two glorious singers.
The Production
This was the regional premiere for Standup Shakespeare and featured David Margulies, Thomas Young, Brad Waller, and Alison Fraser.
Entertainment unions represented in Folger Theatre productions include The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (**) and the Actors' Equity Association (*), which includes members of the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.
Cast
- Alison Fraser*: Female Singer
- Thomas Young*: Male Singer
- David Margulies*: Fool
- Brad Waller*: Heckler
Music
- Ray Leslee: Piano
- Jack Bashkow: Woodwinds
- Dave Dunaway: Bass
- Rob Thomas: Violin
Creative team
- Ray Leslee, Music
- Kenneth Welsh & William Shakespeare, Book
- Jack Bashkow, Music Supervisor
- Thomas Young, Additional Vocal Arrangements
- Marthe Jocelyn, Puppet Design
- Paul Meade, Sound Design
- William Fecke, Lighting Design
Production team
- Susanne Oldham, Production Coordinator
- William Fecke, Technical Production
- Julie Ainsworth, Photography
- Jon Radulovic, Stage Manager
- Mikie Heilbrun, Casting
Folger Theatre
- Janet Alexander Griffin, Director of Museum and Public Programs
Recording
The Folger produced a cast album for Bard Records and Albany Records in 1996.
Track Listing
1. St. Valentine's Day (Hamlet)
2. Shallow Rivers (The Merry Wives of Windsor)
3. By Gis (Hamlet)
4. Say That She Rail (The Taming of the Shrew)
5. Take O Take (Measure for Measure)
6. Jazz (Various Sources)
7. Come Away Death (Twelfth Night)
8. When In Desgrace (Sonnet 29)
9. I Know A Bank (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
10. I Do Love Thee (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
11. Sigh No More (Much Ado About Nothing)
12. Puck (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
13. O Mistress Mine (Twelfth Night)
14. Let Me Not (Sonnet 116)
15. Shall I Compare Thee (Sonnet 18)
16. Love Is Perjured (Romeo and Juliet)
17. Hey Ho! (Twelfth Night)
Image gallery
Alison Fraser (Soprano), Standup Shakespeare, Folger Theatre. Photo by Julie Ainsworth.
Thomas Young, Alison Fraser, and David Margulies, Standup Shakespeare, Folger Theatre. Photo by Gerry Goodstein.
