Philadelphia Artists’ Collective Presents William Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well

Philadelphia Artists’ Collective presents William Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well from November 30 to December 17, 2016 at Broad Street Ministry (315 S. Broad Street). Helena can heal an ailing king, outwit any man, travel across countries, and defy death itself. But she can't make Bertram love her. In this rarely-produced late play of William Shakespeare, the comedy seems bittersweet, and the laughter melancholic. In love, and in life, there are no truly happy endings. Dan Hodge directs, and Damon Bonetti plays Parolles, the foolish rogue.  

Opening night is on Friday, December 2, 2016, with previews on November 30 and December 1, 2016 . The show runs for a total of 13 performances through Saturday, December 17, 2016. All shows are at 8:00pm. Tickets are on sale for $25 (or $15 with student identification or under 25) by calling (215) 551-1543 or visiting www.philartistscollective.org.

All's Well was written between 1604 and 1605, and was originally published in the First Folio in 1623. Though originally the play was classified as one of Shakespeare's comedies, the play is now considered by some critics to be one of his problem plays, so named because they cannot be neatly classified as tragedy or comedy.

"I think the play invites you to look at the way you’re living and the relationships you have, and the people in your life that you take for granted," said Director Dan Hodge. "The play is a journey of characters struggling to find each other and not just find the idealized version but the actual versions of each other. You look at the person you go home with everyday theoretically, or the people in your life that matter to you, and you realize what they actually mean. This message is especially relevant as its the holiday time of year where we spend so much of our day encountering the people that our lives are based around and this show is just a little reminder when they’re driving us crazy that they are valuable and that they mean something."

Dan Hodge directs, and Damon Bonetti plays Parolles, the foolish rogue. The ensemble cast also includes Monroe Barrick, Akeem Davis, Joel Guerrero, Donovan Lockett, John Lopes, Brian McCann, Laural Merlington, Kirsten Quinn, Melanie Stefan-Watts. "This show has a nice balance of new company members and familiar faces," added Hodge. "This is also our most diverse cast we have ever had for a PAC production." 

The production team includes Robin Stamey (Lighting Designer), Katherine Fritz (Costume Designer),  Flora Vassar (Props Designer), Lauren Tracy (Production Manager) and Kristen Phaneuf (Stage Manager). 

All's Well That Ends Well will be set in the round, with no scenery. "The audience surrounds the show and the room helps do that talking," Hodge said. "The audience will be on four sides with a circle in the middle. Other than a chair or simple prop, we will keep the show very clean." 

The production of All's Well keeps in line with the PAC's mission of creating unique theatrical events that celebrate our humanity; through the lens of rare classical theatre, and through multidisciplinary collaboration. All PAC plays are staged with engaging and visceral clarity, presenting classical stories full of human complexity that bring audiences to the edge of their seats. By collaborating with artists from other disciplines PAC seeks to encourage the development of a common vocabulary, and to promote arts awareness in the Philadelphia community.

The Philadelphia Artists' Collective will focus their entire 2016-2017 season with works from the 1600s staring with Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well and concluding with revenge tragedy The White Devil by English playwright John Webster from May 3-20, 2017.  These two English Renaissance plays would have been produced by same acting company, Shakespeare’s company the King's Men. The two productions almost certainly would have even featured many of the same actors as well.

"Both plays switch the balance between darkness and light," said Hodge. "It’s funny that All’s Well That Ends Well is like comedy but it has a really dark almost kind of somber heart, and by contrast the White Devil is a tragedy that has this kind of upbeat chaotic at times and almost funny bent to it. We basically end up with a sad comedy and a funny tragedy."

The White Devil will be the last play performed by PAC in their current home at Broad Street Ministry. Look for news of a new home for PAC for the 2017-2018 season!

All's Well That Ends Well runs from from Wednesday, November 30, 2016 to Saturday, December 17, 2016, with all performances at 8:00pm. Tickets are on sale for $25 (or $15 with student identification or under 25) by calling (215) 551-1543 or visiting www.philartistscollective.org.

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