The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF) is a professional theatre company in residence at

DeSales University DeSales University (DSU) is a Private university, private Catholic university in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, United States. The university offers traditional, online, and hybrid courses and programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. N ...

Center Valley, Pennsylvania Center Valley is an unincorporated community located one mile north of Coopersburg, at the intersection of Pennsylvania State Routes 309 and 378 in Upper Saucon Township in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Lehigh ...

and the official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Festival is organized as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in Pennsylvania. Each summer, PSF produces six or more plays (often including a musical) and special one-night-only performances. In the fall, PSF tours a

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's natio ...

play to schools as part of its Linny Fowler WillPower tour. Since its inception, the Festival has been attended by over 1,000,000 people. The acting company consists primarily of professional actors from New York and Philadelphia and who are members of

Actors' Equity Association The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly called Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American trade union, labor union representing those who work in Theatre, live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions w ...

. The plays are performed in two theatres in The Labuda Center for the Performing Arts: the 473-seat proscenium Main Stage or the 187-seat thrust Schubert Theatre on the DeSales University campus in Center Valley. Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival is listed as a major festival in the book ''Shakespeare Festivals Around the World'' by Marcus D. Gregio (

Editor Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, organization, a ...

), 2004.

Productions

2024 season

*''The Play That Goes Wrong'' - By Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, & Jonathan Sayer • May 29 - June 16 • Main Stage *''The Last Five Years'' - Written and Composed by Jason Robert Brown • June 12 - June 30 • Schubert Theatre *''The Merry Wives of Windsor''- By William Shakespeare • June 26 - July 7 • Main Stage *''The Color Purple'' - Book by Marsha Norman • Music & Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray • July 17 - August 4 • Main Stage *''Cymbeline'' - By William Shakespeare • July 24 - August 4 • Schubert Theatre *"Play On!" Community Tour ''The Comedy of Errors'' - By William Shakespeare • May 31 - June 16 • Your Community *''Winnie-the-Pooh & Friends'' - Based on the classic stories from A.A. Milne • Adapted by Jason King Jones • July 5 - August 3 • Schubert Theatre *''Shakespeare For Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 24 - August 3 • Main Stage

2023 season

*''Henry IV, Part 2'' - By William Shakespeare • May 31 - June 11 • Schubert Theatre *''In the Heights'' - Music & Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda; Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes; Conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda • June 14 - July 2 • Main Stage *''The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) evised gain' - By Adam Long, Daniel Singer, Jess Winfield; New Revisions by Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield • June 28 - July 16 • Outdoor Stage *''The Tempest'' - By William Shakespeare • July 12 - August 6 • Main Stage *Jane Austen's ''Sense and Sensibility'' - Adapted by Jessica Swale • July 20 - August 5 • Main Stage *''Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill'' - By Lanie Robertson; Musical Arrangements by Danny Holgate • July 19 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre *"Play On!" Community Tour''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' - By William Shakespeare • June 2 - June 18 • Your Community *''James and the Giant Peach'' - From the book by Roald Dahl; Dramatized by Richard R. George • July 7 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre *''Shakespeare For Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 26 - August 5 • Main Stage

2022 season

*''Every Brilliant Thing'' - By Duncan Macmillan • June 7- June 19 • Schubert Theatre *''A Chorus Line'' - Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett; Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante; Music by Marvin Hamlish; Lyrics by Edward Kleban; Co Choreographed by Bob Avian • June 22 - July 10 • Main Stage *''Much Ado About Nothing -'' By William Shakespeare • July 13 - August 7 • Schubert Theatre *August Wilson's ''Fences'' - July 27-August 7 • Main Stage *''The River Bride'' (Staged Reading) - By Marisela Treviño Orta • July 1 - July 3 • Schubert Theatre *Shakespeare For Kids - By Erin Sheffield • July 28 - August 6 • Main Stage *''Little Red'' - By Andrew Kane • June 3 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre

2021 season

*'' Native Gardens''- By Karen Zacharias *'' How I Learned What I Learned''- By August Wilson • June 29 - July 11 • Main Stage *''

A Midsummer Night's Dream ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' is a Comedy (drama), comedy play written by William Shakespeare in about 1595 or 1596. The play is set in Athens, and consists of several subplots that revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One s ...

''- By William Shakespeare • July 20 - August 1 • Air Products Open Air Theatre *In Concert with Phoenix Best- July 12 • Air Products Open Air Theatre *'' An Iliad''- By Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare • July 7 - August 1 • Main Stage *''

Love's Labour's Lost ''Love's Labour's Lost'' is one of William Shakespeare's early comedies, believed to have been written in the mid-1590s for a performance at the Inns of Court before Queen Elizabeth I. It follows the King of Navarre and his three companions as ...

''- By William Shakespeare (PSF Young Company) • July 24–25 • Air Products Open Air Theatre *''

Charlotte's Web ''Charlotte's Web'' is a book of children's literature by American author E. B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams. It was published on October 15, 1952, by Harper & Brothers. It tells the story of a livestock pig named Wilbur and his frie ...

''- By Joseph Robinette • June 25 - July 31 • Air Products Open Air Theatre

2020 season

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's 2020 season was scheduled to begin on May 29, 2020. On March 30, 2020 Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival released a statement saying that the 2020 season would be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PSF continues to engage with patrons through the "At Home with PSF" program which features interviews with artists, staff memories, and theatre resources.

2019 season

*'' Crazy for You'' - Music and Lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin; Book by Ken Ludwig • June 12 - June 30 • Main Stage *'' The Mystery of Irma Vep – A Penny Dreadful'' – By Charles Ludlam • June 20 - July 14 • Schubert Theatre *'' Antony & Cleopatra'' - By William Shakespeare • July 10 - August 4 • Main Stage *''

Private Lives ''Private Lives'' is a 1930 comedy of manners in three acts by Noël Coward. It concerns a divorced couple who, while honeymooning with their new spouses, discover that they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Despite a perpetuall ...

'' - By Noël Coward • July 18 - August 4 • Main Stage *''

Henry IV, Part 1 ''Henry IV, Part 1'' (often written as ''1 Henry IV'') is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written no later than 1597. The play dramatises part of the reign of King Henry IV of England, beginning with the Battle of H ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 24 - August 4 • Schubert Theatre *''The Adventures of Robin Hood and Maid Marian'' - By Brandon E. McLauren • May 31 - August 3 • Schubert Theatre * ''Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 24 - August 3 • Main Stage

2018 season

*''

Ragtime Ragtime, also spelled rag-time or rag time, is a musical style that had its peak from the 1890s to 1910s. Its cardinal trait is its Syncopation, syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. Ragtime was popularized during the early 20th century by composers ...

'' - Book by Terrence McNally; Music by Stephen Flaherty; Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens; Based on the novel “RAGTIME” by E.L. Doctorow • June 13 - July 1 • Main Stage *''

Twelfth Night ''Twelfth Night, or What You Will'' is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Viola an ...

'' – By William Shakespeare • June 21 - July 15 • Schubert Theatre *''

Shakespeare in Love ''Shakespeare in Love'' is a 1998 period romantic comedy film directed by John Madden, written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, and produced by Harvey Weinstein. It stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth, B ...

'' - Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard; Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall; Music by Paddy Cunneen • July 11 - August 5 • Main Stage *''

King Richard II Richard II (6 January 1367 – ), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. He was the son of Edward, Prince of Wales (later known as the Black Prince), and Joan, Countess of Kent. R ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 19 - August 5 • Main Stage *''

All's Well That Ends Well ''All's Well That Ends Well'' is a play by William Shakespeare, published in the First Folio in 1623, where it is listed among the comedies. There is a debate about the date of its composition, with possible dates ranging from 1598 to 1608. ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 25 - August 5 • Schubert Theatre *''Alice in Wonderland'' - By Michele L. Vacca • June 1 - August 4 • Schubert Theatre * ''Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 25 - August 4 • Main Stage

2017 season

*'' Evita'' - Lyrics by Tim Rice; Music by Andrew Llyod Webber • June 14 - July 2 • Main Stage *''

The Hound of the Baskervilles ''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is the third of the four Detective fiction, crime novels by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Originally serial (literature), serialised in ''The Strand Magazine'' from ...

'' – By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Adapted by Steven Canny & John Nicholson • June 21 - July 16 • Schubert Theatre *''

The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' () is a French historical adventure novel written and published in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is the first of the author's three d'Artagnan Romances. As with some of his other works, he wrote it in col ...

'' - By Ken Ludwig; Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas • July 12 - August 6 • Main Stage *''

As You Like It ''As You Like It'' is a pastoral Shakespearean comedy, comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 and first published in the First Folio in 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wil ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 20 - August 6 • Main Stage *''

Troilus and Cressida ''The Tragedy of Troilus and Cressida'', often shortened to ''Troilus and Cressida'' ( or ), is a play by William Shakespeare, probably written in 1602. At Troy during the Trojan War, Troilus and Cressida begin a love affair. Cressida is forc ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 26 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre *''The Ice Princess'' - By Brandon E. McLauren; Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen • June 2 - August 5 • Schubert Theatre * ''Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 26 - August 5 • Main Stage

2016 season

*''

West Side Story ''West Side Story'' is a Musical theatre, musical conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a Book (musical theatre), book by Arthur Laurents. Inspired by William Shakespeare's play ''Romeo an ...

'' - Based on a conception of Jerome Robbins; Book by Arthur Laurents; Music by Leonard Bernstein; Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Entire original production directed and choreography by Jerome Robbins; Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet • June 15 - July 3 • Main Stage *''

Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (12 or 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caesar's civil wa ...

'' – By William Shakespeare • June 22 - July 17 • Schubert Theatre *''

The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunke ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 13 - August 7 • Main Stage *''

Blithe Spirit Blithe Spirit may refer to: * ''Blithe Spirit'' (play), a 1941 comic play written by Noël Coward * ''Blithe Spirit'' (1945 film), a British comedy film based on the play * Blithe Spirit (''Ford Star Jubilee''), a 1956 television play version of ...

'' - By Noël Coward • July 21 - August 7 • Main Stage *''

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 27 - August 7 • Schubert Theatre *''

The Little Mermaid "The Little Mermaid" (), sometimes translated in English as "The Little Sea Maid", is a fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Originally published in 1837 as part of a collection of fairy tales for children, the story foll ...

'' - By Linda Daugherty • June 3 - August 6 • Schubert Theatre * ''Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 27 - August 6 • Main Stage

2015 season

*''

Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' (, ) is a 19th-century French literature, French Epic (genre), epic historical fiction, historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published on 31 March 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. '' ...

'' - Boubil and Schonberg's musical based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo ''

'' • June 10 - June 28 • Main Stage *''

Around the World in 80 Days ''Around the World in Eighty Days'' () is an adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, first published in French in 1872. In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employed French valet Passepartout attempt to circumnavigate ...

'' – By Mark Brown • June 17 - July 12 • Schubert Theatre *''

The Foreigner (play) ''The Foreigner'' is a 1984 two-act comedy by American playwright Larry Shue. The play has become a staple of professional and amateur theatre.Bryer, Jackson R. & Hartig, Mary C., eds. (2nd ed. 2010)''The Facts on File Companion to American Dram ...

'' - By Larry Shue • July 8 - August 2 • Main Stage *''

Henry V Henry V may refer to: People * Henry V, Duke of Bavaria (died 1026) * Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor (1081/86–1125) * Henry V, Duke of Carinthia (died 1161) * Henry V, Count Palatine of the Rhine (–1227) * Henry V, Count of Luxembourg (1216–1281 ...

'' - William Shakespeare • July 16 - August 2 • Main Stage *''

Pericles Pericles (; ; –429 BC) was a Greek statesman and general during the Golden Age of Athens. He was prominent and influential in Ancient Athenian politics, particularly between the Greco-Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War, and was acclaimed ...

'' - By William Shakespeare • July 22 - August 2 • Schubert Theatre *''

Rapunzel "Rapunzel" ( ; ; or ) is a German fairy tale most notably recorded by the Brothers Grimm and it was published in 1812 as part of '' Children's and Household Tales'' (KHM 12). The Grimms' story was developed from the French literary fairy tale ...

'' - Brothers Grimm fairy tale adapted by Erin Sheffield • May 29 - August 1 • Schubert Theatre *'' Shakespeare for Kids'' - By Erin Sheffield • July 22 - August 1 • Schubert Theatre

WillPower Tour

The Festival's signature education program is the annual Linny Fowler WillPower Tour, which brings a professionally produced Shakespeare play to middle schools and high schools throughout

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

, and

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic states, South Atlantic regions of the United States. It borders Maryland to its south and west, Pennsylvania to its north, New Jersey ...

. Initiated in 2000, the WillPower Tour is a professionally directed 80-minute production with sets and costumes featuring a company of professionally-trained and experienced actors and teachers. Half-day or full-day programming meet academic standards with curriculum guides provided in advance. Post-performance discussion gives students the opportunity to share their reactions and insights. Celebrating its 20th year, the fall 2019 WillPower Tour's production of ''Macbeth'' reached over 11,000 students in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

History

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival was founded in 1992 by Gerard J. Schubert, O.S.F.S., founder and chair of Performing and Fine Arts department at

Notable Actors

Steve Burns Steven Michael Burns (born October 9, 1973) is an American actor, musician and television host. He portrayed a fictional version of himself as the host of the children's television series ''Blue's Clues'' from 1996 until 2002, for which he was ...

- 2013, Clown 1, The 39 Steps; 2011, Dromio of Syracuse,

The Comedy of Errors ''The Comedy of Errors'' is one of William Shakespeare's early plays. It is his shortest and one of his most farcical comedies, with a major part of the humour coming from slapstick and mistaken identity, in addition to puns and word play ...

; 2007, Amadeus,

Amadeus Amadeus may refer to: People and fictional characters * Amadeus (name) Amadeus is a theophoric name, theophoric given name derived from the Latin words ' – the Imperative mood, imperative of the word ' ("to love") – and ' ("god"). As a Compou ...

* Keith Hamilton Cobb - 2016, Julius Caesar,

Julius Caesar (play) ''The Tragedy of Julius Caesar ''(First Folio title: ''The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar''), often shortened to ''Julius Caesar'', is a history play and Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy by William Shakespeare first performed in 1599. In the play, Br ...

Christian Coulson Christian Peter Coulson is an English actor known for playing young Tom Marvolo Riddle (Lord Voldemort) in the 2002 fantasy film ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets''. Early life Coulson was born in Manchester. He attended Arnold House ...

- 2018, King Richard,

; 2018, Lord Wessex,

Tom Degnan Tom Degnan (born September 24, 1982, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania) is an American actor. He is best known for his role on ''One Life to Live'' as Joey Buchanan from 2010 to 2011. He also appeared in ''As the World Turns ''As the World Turns ...

- 2012, Brick,

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ''Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'' is a 1955 American three-act play by Tennessee Williams. The play, an adaptation of his 1952 short story "Three Players of a Summer Game", was written between 1953 and 1955. One of Williams's more famous works and his ...

, Don John,

Much Ado about Nothing ''Much Ado About Nothing'' is a Shakespearean comedy, comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599.See textual notes to ''Much Ado About Nothing'' in ''The Norton Shakespeare'' (W. W. Norton & Company, 1997 ) p. ...

* Dan Domenech - 2017, Che, Evita *

Kate Fahrner Kate Fahrner is an American actress and singer. Career She appeared in the Broadway production of ''Wicked'' as the standby for Glinda. She appeared in the ''South Pacific'', ''The Full Monty'' and ''Cats'' national tours. She appeared in the Off ...

- 2015,

Fantine Fantine (French pronunciation: ) is a fictional character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel ''Les Misérables''. She is a young ''Grisette (person), grisette'' in Paris who is impregnated by a rich student. After he abandons her, she is forced to look ...

, Les Misérables * Alexie Gilmore - 2013, Gwendolyn,

The Importance of Being Earnest ''The Importance of Being Earnest, a Trivial Comedy for Serious People'' is a play by Oscar Wilde, the last of his four drawing-room plays, following ''Lady Windermere's Fan'' (1892), ''A Woman of No Importance'' (1893) and ''An Ideal Husban ...

* William Michals - 2012, Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; 2011, Emile De Beque,

South Pacific The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...

Rachel Potter Rachel Lindsey Potter (born August 21, 1984) is an American singer and actress. She is most known for her performances on Broadway as Wednesday Addams in ''The Addams Family'', the Mistress in the Tony-nominated revival of '' Evita'', and being a ...

- 2015, Eponine, Les Misérables *

Zack Robidas Zack Robidas is an American actor known for his roles on Succession (TV series), ''Succession'', ''Friends from College'', ''Sorry for Your Loss'', and ''Fleishman Is in Trouble (miniseries), Fleishman Is in Trouble''. Career Robidas is a native ...

- 2015, Henry V, The Foreigner *

Dee Roscioli Danielle Marie Roscioli (born July 20, 1977) is an American singer and actress, who is known for her performances as Elphaba in the Broadway theatre, Broadway, Chicago, San Francisco, and national touring productions of the musical ''Wicked (mu ...

- 2017, Eva Peron, Evita; 2012, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; 2010, Finale Cabaret * Marnie Schulenburg - 2011, Nellie Forbush,

; 2006, Celia,

, 2015 The Foreigner, Henry V *

Paulo Szot Paulo Szot is a Brazilian operatic baritone singer and actor. He made his opera debut in 1997 and his international career has included performances with the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala di Milano, Opera de Paris, Bayerische Staatsoper, Opera Aust ...

- 2017, Juan Perón, Evita

References

External links

Official website
{{Lehigh Valley DeSales University Festivals in Pennsylvania Performing groups established in 1992 Shakespeare festivals in the United States Tourist attractions in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania