February 8, 2007

Tony Award-winner Zimmerman returns to the stage to direct ‘Cymbeline’ through Feb. 18

Mary Zimmerman, faculty member, renowned Tony Award-winning director, Goodman Theatre Artistic Associate and Lookingglass Theatre ensemble member will return to the Northwestern stage this winter for the first time since the 1996 production of “Six Myths” (which became “Metamorphoses” on Broadway) to direct William Shakespeare’s comedy “Cymbeline.”

Northwestern’s production of “Cymbeline” will be presented at 8 p.m. Feb. 9; 8 p.m. Feb. 10; 2 p.m. Feb. 11; 8 p.m. Feb. 14; 8 p.m. Feb. 15; 8 p.m. Feb. 16; 8 p.m. Feb. 17; and 2 p.m. Feb. 18, at the Ethel M. Barber Theatre.

This adventurous Shakespearean fantasy weaves a tale about the beautiful Princess Imogen and her new husband Posthumus, who are parted by circumstances involving her wicked stepmother and her distant father, King Cymbeline. Disguises, misidentifications, plot twists and romantic comedy abound in this ode to the fairy tale world.

Zimmerman, professor of performance studies at Northwestern, said she is attracted to Shakespearean plays that have odd elements in them. “In this case there is a vision of Jupiter. I also think Imogen is a fantastic heroine and I love the traditional fairy tale aspects of the show. I don’t think this play is done very often because when you look at the (Shakespearean) canon (the works ascribed to an author that are accepted as genuine), it’s not one of the popular titles that jump out at you. But it is very representational of the better known plays because it features romance, sorrow and humor.”

The production will feature a student cast and a dynamic set that Zimmerman describes as a “highly ornate, extremely man-made looking piece of architecture, that’s set down in a pile of leaves and cedar chips.” The stage also will be raked “stage right” to “stage left” (rather than upstage to down stage) creating a look that Zimmerman has never seen on a stage before.

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Single tickets are $25 for the public; $22 for senior citizens and faculty and staff; and $10 for students.

For more information or to order by phone, call the box office at (847) 491-7282.

Tickets for Mainstage productions also are available through TicketWeb.com at www.tic.northwestern.edu/tickets.html.