Austin Shakespeare, central Texas’ classical theater company, will collaborate with ACMC for the first time to create a music-filled production of Shakespeare’s Henry VIII at 7:30 pm on Saturday, July 16th at the University of Texas’ beautiful Bates Recital Hall. Part of the 20th Anniversary Austin Chamber Music Festival, this one night only event will feature professional actors in Tudor period costume performing alongside a piano quintet.

Shakespeare’s historical drama focuses on the life and times of King Henry VIII, who annuls his marriage with his first wife in order to marry Anne Boleyn, changing England forever in the process. The selected scenes from Henry VIII will be accompanied by acclaimed pianist Michelle Schumann and festival musicians, who will play a variety of composers from Brahms to Borodin and Schubert to Smetana.

Austin Shakespeare Artistic Director Ann Ciccolella expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, “We have been seeking to create a provocative evening with ACMC Artistic Director Michelle Schumann. After seeing a film underscored with chamber music, Michelle became inspired to use various composers under Shakespeare! The Romantic era music selections are gorgeous, and the blistering dramatic scenes are rarely performed.”

Actors include Equity Union members André Martin as the younger Henry VIII and Babs George as his bold Queen Katherine. They’ll be joined by Austin actors Michael Miller as the clever Cardinal Wolsey; Liz Beckham as Shakespeare’s winsome take on Anne Boleyn; Sam Grimes as the political Archbishop Cranmer; and Robert Faires in multiple roles including Thomas Cromwell.

The Austin Chamber Music Festival quintet includes Michelle Schumann, piano; Leigh Mahoney and Christabel Lin, violins; Ames Asbell, viola; and Douglas Harvey, cello.

CREATIVE TEAM                

Director – Ann Ciccolella

Costume Designer – Jennifer Rose Davis

Lighting Designer – Patrick Anthony

For tickets, call (512) 545-0026 or visit www.austinchambermusic.org. More information can be found at austinshakespeare.org or austinchambermusic.org.

ABOUT AUSTIN SHAKESPEARE: Founded in 1984 and the only professional classical theater company in Central Texas, Austin Shakespeare presents professional theatre of the highest quality with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare, bringing to the public performances that are fresh, bold, imaginative, thought-provoking, and eminently accessible, connecting the truths of the past with the challenges and possibilities of today. In the fall and spring, Austin Shakespeare produces plays by Shaw, Schiller, and Stoppard at The Long Center for the Performing Arts Rollins Studio Theatre. Austin Shakespeare’s ongoing “Shakespeare Aloud” reading group and “Artist’s Way” sessions invite new participants weekly. Austin Shakespeare’s education program 20/20 sends professional actors into the schools to encourage love of language.

ABOUT AUSTIN CHAMBER MUSIC CENTER: The Austin Chamber Music Center was founded in 1982 and is dedicated to serving Central Texans by expanding knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of chamber music through the highest quality instruction and performance.

Austin Shakespeare and Austin Chamber Music Center are proud members of the Austin Creative Alliance.