Advertisement
Wild left GRSF last year to become artistic director of the festival in Bloomington, Ill. While he returned to Winona in July to conduct a teacher’s workshop, it was the first time in the festival’s four seasons that he didn’t direct.
In October, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival announced it was hiring an Illinois State University theater professor and longtime affiliate of the festival to replace Wild. In an interview with The (Bloomington) Pantagraph, managing director John Poole declined to give a specific reason for Wild’s departure but described Wild and the festival as being “not a good fit.”
Wild could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
In an e-mail quoted by The Pantagraph he wrote, “I am saddened by the fact that Illinois State University and I don’t share the same artistic vision for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. In spite of our creative differences, I delivered what I believe to be an excellent season.”
GRSF announced in August that it would present “Love’s Labour’s Lost” but changed to “The Taming of the Shrew” when Wild became available.
GRSF co-founder and producing director Paul Barnes will return for his fifth consecutive year to direct “The Merchant of Venice.”
“We believe this is a nice strong pairing,” said general manager Jeff Stevenson.
Veteran GRSF actor Doug Scholz-Carlson directed last year’s performance of “Macbeth” and was scheduled to direct again this year. With the return of Wild, Scholz-Carlson will concentrate on acting in season five, Stevenson said.
The festival had planned to produce “Henry VI” in three parts over the next three years for its Apprentice Project but will instead do “Pericles” directed by artistic associate Rick Barbour. Barbour directed the apprentice project of “Julius Caesar” last year.
The festival runs from June 27 through July 27.
Ticket prices remain unchanged from last year, ranging from $20 to $35. There is a $3 discount through Valentine’s Day.
The festival has booked Broadway actor Martin Moran and William Cope Moyers, author and vice president for external affairs at the Hazelden Foundation in Minnesota, for the festival’s lecture series.
Contact Käri Knutson at kknutson@winonadailynews.com.
RVTraveler wrote on Dec 12, 2007 9:01 PM: