William Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well opens WSU's Bonstelle Theatre 2014-15 Season. Playing October 10th through 19th, 2014, Shakespeare's classic comedy follows the schemes of a young woman as she strives to win the love of a nobleman. Tickets for All's Well That Ends Well range from $10-$20 and are available by calling (313) 577-2960, online at Bonstelle.com, or at the Hilberry Theatre box office at 4743 Cass Avenue on the corner of Hancock Street.

One of Shakespeare's lesser known comedies, All's Well That Ends Well is believed to have been written between 1604 and 1605, shortly after King James I took the English throne. Helena, the low born ward of the Countess of Rousillon, sets her sights on the Countess' son, Bertram, but he is indifferent to her. In an attempt to rid himself of her, Bertram agrees to marry Helena only if she can complete a series of impossible tasks. Helena uses every bit of her cunning to complete the challenge and convince Bertram that she is the one for him.

Director Carolyn Gillespie returns to Wayne State to direct All's Well That Ends Well having directed Major Barbara in 2012 at the Hilberry Theatre. In the intervening years, Ms. Gillespie has directed Much Ado about Nothing at the new Guthrie Green (Tulsa, OK) and performed in Falling at the Meadow Brook Theatre (Rochester Hills, MI). When not directing or performing in the theatre, Ms. Gillespie is Professor Emerita at University of Michigan-Flint.

Inspired by the line, "The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together," Gillespie's approach brings a modern feel as contemporary and period characters mingle in Shakespeare's time. She has worked with designers Sarah Pearline, Mary Gietzen and Amy Schneider to weave an image of beauty transformed in a twisted world. Be sure not to miss this charming comedy!

The cast includes (in alphabetical order):
Carl Bentley as Lafeu, Hannah Butcher as Widow, Paul Clauson as King, Garett Harris as Parolles, Gaia Klotz as Countess, Sydney Machesky as Helena, Bradley Smith as Bertram, and Kendall Rose Talbot as Diana

Chorus:
Jacob Boida, Dann Finn, Dante Jones, Ibrahim Karim, Caitlyn Macuga, Michaella Mallett, Chris Peterson, Kiera Schmidt , Paige Stefanski, and Michael Vultaggio.

The production team includes:
Carolyn Gillespie (Director), Cassandra Maniak (Stage Manager), Sarah Pearline (Scenic Designer), Brain Dambacher (Technical Director), Christa Tausney (Props Designer), Mary Gietzen (Costume Designer), Amy Schneider (Lighting Designer), Patrick Field (Master Electrician), Peter Lawrence (Sound Designer), Felix Li (Publicity Manager), and Jason Goldman (Asst. Publicity Manager).

About the Bonstelle Theatre
The Bonstelle Theatre is a Broadway-style House with a 1,035-seat auditorium featuring a balcony and grand architecture remaining from its early 20th century design. Here, future stars of theatre, film, and television follow in the footsteps of many successful alumni including Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning S. Epatha Merkerson (NBC's Law and Order, Lackawanna Blues), Lily Tomlin (9 to 5, ABC's Desperate Housewives) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, NBC's Heroes). For box office hours and information on performances, tickets, group discounts and corporate packages, please call the box office at (313) 577-2960 or visit the theatre's website at www.bonstelle.com.

 

The Bonstelle Theatre, Where Wayne Plays.

 

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 29,000 students.

This season is sponsored by CBS Outdoor and Between the Lines.

 

All's Well That Ends Well
-Calendar Information-

October 10-19

Thursday 10 a.m. October 16 (School show, contact 313-577-0852 for more information)
Friday 8 p.m. October 10 & 17
Saturday 8 p.m. October 11 & 18
Sunday 2p.m. October 12 & 19