The State of Shakespeare

Barry Edelstein

Apr 302021

Hamlet: Act 2, Scene 2
Hamlet
April 30, 2021

The cast of Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, directed by Barry Edelstein, running August 6 – September 10, 2017. Photo by Jim Cox.
Louisa Jacobson as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare and directed by Barry Edelstein, runs August 11 – September 15, 2019 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.
Grantham Coleman in the title role of Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, directed by Barry Edelstein, running August 6 – September 10, 2017. Photo by Jim Cox.
Aaron Clifton Moten as Romeo and Louisa Jacobson as Juliet. Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare and directed by Barry Edelstein, runs August 11 – September 15, 2019 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.
(from left) Billy Campbell as Leontes, Natacha Roi as Hermione, A.Z. Kelsey as Florizel, and Maya Kazan as Perdita in William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, directed by Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, Feb. 8 – March 16, 2014 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.

Who better to ask what Shakespeare can teach us about the turbulent times we are living in than Barry Edelstein – the Artistic Director of the Old Globe Theater in San Diego and one of the foremost producers and directors of Shakespeare working today? Recorded just days after the January 6^th, 2021 uprising at the Capital, we discuss the current crises facing the country and in the world of Theater. What is the Old Globe doing to keep the curtain up and how is the company setting the stage for a post-pandemic future? (Monologue: Hamlet Act II scene 2)

Hamlet on the Radio: Premieres April 23, 2021 and playing thru June 27, 2021 (link)

Thinking Shakespeare Live: new episodes available for free on YouTube (link)

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Patrick Page

Mar 192021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

March 19, 2021

Villain? Master Painter? Sociopath? Surfer? Patrick Page has spent a lifetime acting Shakespeare. He has become fascinated by villains, leading to a one man show “All the Devils are Here.” What does it take to play a villain well? Patrick has some fascinating answers.

Click here to see Patrick Page in All the Devils are Here.

Interviews

Ten Years of Shakespeare

Feb 282021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

February 28, 2021

Jim and Gerritt celebrate ten years of The State of Shakespeare. We listen to some of our most memorable guests from the early days of the podcast and share our favorite moments from the past decade.

Interviews

Susan Heyward

Dec 122020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Taming of the Shrew: Act 4, Scene 3
Katherine
December 13, 2020

As a young “bookworm,” she fell in love with Shakespeare’s intoxicating language. But after an early career playing Shakespeare’s romantic ingenues, Susan Heyward began to wonder whether modern theatre’s relationship with Shakespeare is as healthy as it once seemed. Is it time to break up and explore “language affairs with other playwrights”?

Click here to follow along with the modern version of the text.

Click here to follow along with the Folio Version of the text.

Click here for a scanned version of the text.

Interviews

Andrew Muir

Oct 212020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bob Dylan and William Shakespeare:
The True Performing of It.
October 25, 2020

Author and scholar Andrew Muir is fascinated with two poets: one “the greatest artist of all time” and another “the most important artist since the second World War.” They may have more in common than mere verses can express. His latest book “Dylan & Shakespeare: The True Performing of It” explores why. From live performances to influencing genres to the “instability of revered verse”, Muir has spent a lifetime studying the two Bards. And it is so much more than words, words, words.

For more information on Dylan and Shakespeare: The True Performing of It, Click here.

Interviews

Milan Dragicevich

Sep 302020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Richard III: Act 1, Scene 2
Richard, Duke of Gloucester
September 30, 2020

Words, words, words. Milan Dragicevich is fascinated by what he calls “the verbal surface” – a place where rhetoric lies and where you will take your voice to the borders of your personality. Milan believes that rhetoric is not just the art of persuasion but a chance to contribute to something bigger than ourselves.

Click here to follow along with the text.

Click here for a scanned version of the text.

Interviews

Paul Sugarman

Aug 252020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

King Lear: Act 2, Scene 2
Kent
August 28, 2020

He is neither a knave, beggar or a coward, but rather a champion of the Bard! Paul Sugarman has been working with Shakespeare his whole life. Most recently, he is bringing Shakespeare to life with the Instant Shakespeare Company. In this rousing interview, Mr. Sugarman discusses his company, using the First Folio and Shakespearean insults.

Click here to follow along with the text.

Click here for a First Folio version of the text.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Shirine Babb

Jun 302020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Henry VI, Part III: Act 1, Scene 4
Queen Margaret
June 30, 2020

In our first interview recorded during the Covid-19 era, we caught up with Shirine Babb, whose production of Timon of Athens at the Shakespeare Theatre of DC was abruptly interrupted in March, 2020. Before “quarantine” and “social distancing” and “Zoom” were household words we were just beginning to grasp the impact of the sudden shuttering of our theatres. Shirine shares her thoughts on how to survive the times, the production of Timon of Athens and shares Queen Margaret’s infamous speech from Henry VI, Part 3.

Click here to follow along with the text.

Click here for a First Folio version of the text.

Click here for a scanned version of the text.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Scott Newstok

May 312020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

How to Think Like Shakespeare
May 31, 2020

What can we learn about the state of modern education by taking a look back at how young pupils were schooled during Shakespeare’s day? Our guest Scott Newstok shares some collected wisdom from his book How to Think Like Shakespeare, which has us wondering: when education policy makers prioritize standardized testing, digital instruction and virtual learning environments over more traditional methods, could today’s students be losing more than they are gaining?

Click here to visit Scott Newstok’s webpage.

Artists, Interviews, Podcasts

Hassan Jamal

Apr 162020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The L.A. Subway Shakespeare Project
April 15, 2020

What do John Cassavettes, August Wilson and the Three Stooges have in common? They all inspired Hassan Jamal to create the LA Subway Shakespeare Project. Hassan films short Shakespeare scenes in and around the LA Subways, all in one take, all on the go. Part street theater, part guerilla film, the LASSP is a unique vision in the Shakespearean landscape. Give a listen, then give a look!

Click here to visit the LA Subway Shakespeare Project Site.

Here is a sample, from Titus Andronicus: