Shakespeare opens at Buskirk-Chumley

The Acting Company, an award-winning acting troupe, will present Shakespeare's "Richard III" at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. The Acting Company's appearance is part of "Shakespeare in American Communities," the largest tour of Shakespeare in American history, according to www.shakespeareinamericancommunities.org. The tour is an initiative by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest. Bloomington was one of 100 communities chosen for this honor.\n"Richard III" is a "timely political drama," said Buskirk-Chumley marketing director Suzanne Strick.\nBuskirk Director Danielle McClelland said the play confronts issues important to the human condition. \n"'Richard III' explores the manipulations of a tyrant but more important, the response and actions or non-actions of people around him," said McClelland. "Richard is power-hungry, and he will do whatever he thinks is necessary to achieve his aims." \nA 2003 Tony Award Honoree, the Acting Company boasts graduates from Julliard's drama division. Former members of the Acting Company include David Ogden Stiers, Frances Conroy and IU graduate Kevin Kline. \nMcClelland said she is anticipating the performance of "Richard III." She feels the audience will benefit from seeing the troupe because at the Buskirk-Chumley you are never more than 60 to 80 feet away from the stage. \n"We are very, very, very excited," McClelland said. "A professional theater group of this caliber very rarely comes to Bloomington."\nIn addition to performing on the road for approximately 40 weeks out of the year, the Acting Company also holds a strong commitment to education. The company hosts acting workshops and masterclasses where they tour. IU drama students will have the opportunity to attend a masterclass with the Acting Company this Thursday.\n"It's really a fantastic way for them to visit," said John Kinzer, director of the IU Department of Theater and Drama. "It's perfect for us."\nReserve seating tickets are from $15 to $25 and are available at the Sunrise Box Office or by phone at 323-3020. \n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.