'Writer's Cramp' (or How Will Shakespeare Got Into Showbiz)

The first 2012 production coming to Naugatuck's own Phoenix Stage Company

January 21, 27, 28, February 3 & 4, 2012 
at 8 p.m.

January 22 & 29, 2012
at 2 p.m.

Featuring Alex Carrasco as Frail Young John, Bailey Cummings as Ned, Rick Dufresne as Old Man Jack, Chris Evans (who has been seen at the Phoenix Stage in The Glass Menagerie, Twelve Angry Men, The Ice Box, and Beyond Therapy) as Hamnet Giles, Kristen Jacobsen as Anne Hathway, KC Pietro as Agnes and Rob Richnavsky as Will Shakespeare. Directed by Ed Bassett

About the play

We all have experienced some of Shakespeare’s plays, but if you have ever wondered how Will got some of his ideas, this production may help explain that and give you a whole new outlook concerning the Bard of Avon. How did William Shakespeare rise from humble beginnings to become the great playwright?

This play tells the true story with all the juicy details as discovered by an academic with questionable credentials. It’s 1585 and Will Shakespeare is unemployed and dreaming of being a poet. His wife Ann is more practical, recognizing that poetry equals poverty. She thinks about seducing a man who’s a better provider and Will thinks about finding the right phrase.

Is this true love? Can Will succeed? All the answers will be provided in the end.

For ticket info including a seating chart and pricing guide, visit the Phoenix's recently revamped website. Seating is reserved and they have a heavy walk-up traffic, so they strongly advise reservations or advance purchases. Be sure to view the video on the homepage which is a photo montage of their ambitious inaugural season put together by Sharon A. Wilcox. My favorites are the candid/silly cast photos, but each of them brought back memories of all of the wonderful shows I have seen at the Phoenix Stage.