The Wall Street Journal on RICHARD II

“Ms. Coffey, is at home with both aspects of Richard II’s cloven personality, pivoting from arrogance to desperation so smoothly as to suggest that both qualities are opposite sides of the same coin of character. Mr. Bedard’s bald, bullet-headed Bolingbroke, by contrast, is all of a piece, tough and incisive in his iron determination to revenge himself. They are the two poles between which the other characters in this production array themselves, and their excellence makes everyone else shine even more brightly.” - Terry Teachout

The full review is here:
https://goo.gl/tQgCgH

with Julia Coffey as Richard II

Taming of the Shrew is NYTimes Critic's Pick

Proud to be a part of such a great show. Read the review here:
https://hvshakespeare.org/taming-is-new-york-times-critics-pick/

Yes, that’s the entire cast of SHREW

Richard II

First day of rehearsal for HVSF has come and gone.  I've always admired this play and look forward to digging into it further.

Delighted

to be working with Julia Coffey as Richard.  Shame I've gotta be the one that deposes her.

Helen Hayes Nominee...

ROE, the play I did Jan-April last year at Arena Stage and Berkeley Rep, got a few Helen Hayes nominations.  Including Outstanding Ensemble in a Play. Award recipients will be announced May 14.  BroadwayWorld Article here

A few of the ensemble members from ROE ;)

Cherry Lane Theatre

We closed the run of PRIDE & PREJUDICE this last Saturday night.  It was a very fun show, and I enjoyed playing so may antagonists.  I shall miss them as much as I will miss the cast.

"Mark Bedard is outstanding in a hilarious trifecta of roles: the handsome cad Wickham, the snobbish Miss Bingley, and the simpering grotesque, the Reverend Mr. Collins." - New York Magazine / Vulture

Snapped this photo of the space after everyone cleared out.  Theater is so ephemeral.

Pride & Prejudice

 "Top comic honors ... go to Mark Bedard, who doubles as the fathomlessly snooty Miss Bingley and the disgustingly obsequious Mr. Collins. Either one of his performances would have been noteworthy, but that the same person should be playing both parts (as well as that of Mr. Wickham) is a truly stupendous piece of quick-change clownery."

Terry Teachout - Wall Street Journal

Collins - Ms. Bingley - Wickham

We'll be at the Cherry Lane Theatre 11/7/17 - 1/6/18.  For tickets, go to the Primary Stages website.

The show previously had a successful run June 10th to September 4th up at Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival this summer.

Opened and Running with Friends

Opening night was a blast.  You know what else is a blast?  Performing with people you love.  This cast of eight couldn't get along more splendidly.  There is a lot of love in this group.  The show is getting better and better as it finds its feet in The Cherry Lane Theatre.  It fills me with joy to perform with dear friends.  In particular, John Tufts and I have been sharing the stage for several years now.

John and I horsing around on opening night

Playing siblings of the Bingley family.  Sister is not happy.

First Preview Tonight

Our run at the Cherry Lane Theatre begins tonight.  Get your tickets while you can!  It's a charming, intimate theater space.

General From America

We're winding down the season at Hudson Valley Shakespeare by closing this play by Richard Nelson. 

Although things ended badly for Major Andre' historically and in the play, the production was quite good.  I love working with this group of artists.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

This summer I'll be working in the Hudson Valley.  If you've never made your way up to the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, I highly recommend it.  People often picnic on the grounds before the shows, because the view from there is incredible:

Yes!  That's the view!

It's only an hour north of New York City by car or by train.  You can take Metro North's Hudson line up to Cold Spring and have a beautiful view of the river the entire time.  People often make the trip for the great hiking as well, like Breakneck Ridge for example:

Last year's hike with Annie Purcell and Michael Salinas

But best of all you can see some really great theater in a really great location.  This year I'll be in PRIDE & PREJUDICE as well as THE GENERAL FROM AMERICA.  Come check it out!

Last year's AS YOU LIKE IT