When: Feb 11-28
Where: The Rollins Studio Theater at the Long Center

Thanks so much to all that came out to share this wonderful production with us!

Now in its 25th anniversary season, Austin Shakespeare is proud to be the first theater in the Southwest to be awarded the rights to produce the new suspenseful adaptation of Mary Stuart by British poet/playwright Peter Oswald, which was recently nominated for 7 “Tony” Awards for the Broadway production. Austin Shakespeare will transform the Long Center for the Performing Arts Rollins Theater into a run-way with audience on two sides designed for a modern day take on the Elizabethan era as they perform one of history’s illustrious high stakes Tudors story love triangle opening Valentine’s Day weekend.

"This new version brings the clash between these charismatic women to life on the stage with language that is true to Schiller's emotional romantic play," said Ann Ciccolella, artistic director of Austin Shakespeare. "The masterwork drives to reach a confrontation scene that never took place in history."

The play is based on the story of Mary Stuart, the passionate and beautiful Queen of Scotland, and how she struggles to gain freedom from her rival cousin, Elizabeth, the powerful Queen of England. Each woman works through the same man as lover and protector, but it is only through their own actions that one transforms to gain authentic nobility. Peter Oswald's new, energetic adaptation draws striking parallels to contemporary society.

Similar to the real-life Tudors story, historically Mary’s character has quite a resume. She murders her husband, marries his murderer, gets thrown out by the Scots as their Queen and engages in several murderous plots. Schiller brilliantly condensed her story to begin in the days before Mary’s beheading. Helen Merino returns as a Guest Artist to play "Mary Stuart" after three years acting in New York. Merino last performed with Austin Shakespeare in the title role as a female Hamlet and performed in ZACH Theatre’s smash hit one woman show, Bad Dates.

THE MARY STUART CAST
Helen Merino, as Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland
Pamela Christian, as Queen Elizabeth of England
Karen Jambon as Hannah Kennedy Lady-in-waiting and life- long nurse to Mary
Scott Daigle as Dudley, Earl of Leicester, favorite of Elizabeth and secretly in love with Mary
Tom Green as William Davison, recently appointed as Elizabeth’s State Secretary
David Boss, as Melville, long in the service of Mary as her Chief Steward
Nathaniel Lahay as O’Kelly, rebel and friend of Mortimer
Thomas Stephan as Amias Paulet: the English Nobleman who is entrusted to confine Mary at Fotheringhay Castle
Sean Martin as Mortimer, the young knight recently entrusted with spying
Ian Scott as Burleigh, Lord Treasurer of England, consul to Elizabeth
Aaron Black as Aubespine, special Ambassador from France