Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night! Spotlight on Patrick Taaffe (Sir Andrew Aguecheek)
"I was adored once." - Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Twelfth Night While Sir Andrew may only have been adored once - Patrick Taaffe is absolutely adored by many. Patrick has been an active member of Classics on the Rocks since it's very beginning playing a wide range of roles from Charles the Wrestler and Corin the farmer in As You Like It, to the comedic Prince of Arragon in Merchant of Venice, to the dramatic and commanding Antony in Julius Caesar. We are thrilled to have his come
Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night! Spotlight on Mathew Dean Wood (Sebastian)
In Twelfth Night, Sebastian has an epic experience. First, he's saved from a shipwreck by a kind pirate, then he's accosted by some drunken fools who want to pick a fight, and then the most beautiful woman in town throws herself at him and asks him to marry her. Illyria is certainly a mad, mad, mad, mad world for Sebastian. If anyone can portray a character lost in total wonderment and excitement and enthusiasm for the strange yet wonderful things happening to him - it's Matt
Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night! Spotlight on Robert Whiston (Sir Toby Belch)
"What's a drunken fool like?" - Olivia, Twelfth Night Sir Toby Belch is Twelfth Night's resident drunken fool and mischief maker. A broke nobleman living well only out of the good graces of his niece Olivia - he takes advantage of the people around him simply to amuse himself. Will he learn his lesson? Find out in our production! Today, we'd like to introduce you to Robert Whiston whose delightful portrayal of the bumbling, conniving, drunken Sir Toby Belch is charming and t
Announcing... our new logo!
Classics on the Rocks was born out of two loves a love for Shakespeare and a love for whiskey. We believe that just as whiskey doesn't need anything more than rocks to tame it's bite, Shakespeare doesn't need fancy concepts, modernizations, frilly costumes, or big sets to make it palatable. All you need are talented actors who trust the text and tell the story. In 2013, when we were testing the concept of our company - Artistic Director William Downes knew he wanted a rocks g
Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night! Spotlight on William Downes (Malvolio)
When Artistic Director William Downes launched Classics on the Rocks four years ago he had a vision of creating a company that creates Shakespeare you can understand. He knew that Shakespeare doesn't need fancy concepts, modernizations, frilly costumes, or big sets to make it relatable. All you need are talented actors who trust the text and tell the story. And so, Classics on the Rocks was born. This week, we're featuring Will in a different spotlight - not as artistic direc
Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night! Spotlight on Jake Rivet (Curio / Servant / Officer)
A jack of all trades - that's often what is required of Shakespearean actors. As we discussed in last week's spotlight on Sam O'Sullivan - in Shakespeare's time it wasn't uncommon for players within the troupe to play many roles and wear multiple hats (literally!) It was an efficient way to tell a story with a small group. The key is to create a strong ensemble of actors capable of jumping in and out of the big bold characters they create. This summer we're thrilled to intro
Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night! Spotlight on Victor Albaum (Orsino)
"If music be the food of love, play on!" - Duke Orsino, Twelfth Night Quite possibly the most eligible bachelor in Illyria - the deeply passionate, extravagant, and a bit eccentric Duke Orsino is the cornerstone for all the action of Twelfth Night. His dire need to woo Olivia and his obliviousness towards his servant Cesario's love for him sets our most wonderful love triangle in motion. Today, we'd like to introduce you to our lovelorn Duke, Victor Albaum*. It's a special t
Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night! Spotlight on Lev Harvey (Feste)
"Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit." - Feste Twelfth Night Shakespeare knew how to get his audience rolling in the aisles. Shakespeare's clowns and lovable fools evolved throughout the course of his career from the slapstick comedy of Touchstone in As You Like It to the cerebral and biting fool in King Lear. In Twelfth Night, Feste provides a unique impartial third party who not only observes the madness all around him but jumps right into the fray. Today, we'd like to
Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night! Spotlight on Ray Huth (Antonio)
Opening night is one week from tonight and we're getting so excited to share this beautiful production with you! The world of Twelfth Night is topsy turvy. Mistaken identities, fools running amok, and pranks gone too far but through it all there is one character who is a beacon of true love, generosity, and kindness. This beacon is found in the most unexpected place - in the pirate, Antonio, who saves Sebastian's life. Today, we'd like to introduce you to Ray Huth whose stron
Meet the Cast of Twelfth Night! Spotlight on Sam O'Sullivan (Valentine / Officer / Priest)
In Shakespeare's time it wasn't uncommon for players within the troupe to play many roles and wear multiple hats (literally!) This was an efficient way to tell a story with a small group. The trick in doing it effectively? Creating a strong ensemble of actors capable of jumping in and out of the big bold characters they create. The supporting ensemble of a Shakespearean production is crucial as they are the ones to add depth and color to a production. This summer we're thril
