Media contact: Julia Guzman at 941-351-9010 Ext4800 or julia_guzman@asolo.org
LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN
Opens March 10, 2006
"WHAT IS A CYNIC? A MAN WHO KNOWS THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING AND
THE VALUE OF NOTHING.” – From Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde
Sarasota, Florida – (February 23, 2006) The Asolo Theatre Company presents the Oscar Wilde hit, LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN, presented in the Mertz Theatre from March 10 – May 7, 2006. The play is directed by Eberle Thomas, with scenic design by Richard E. Cannon and costumes by Pamela Scofield.
The 14-member cast features Deanna Gibson as Lady Windermere, James Clarke as Lord Darlington, Sharon Spelman as the Duchess of Berwick, Richard B Watson as Lord Windermere, Douglas Jones as Lord Lorton, and Ibi Janko as the infamous Lady Erlynne; and Geoffrey Todd, Mariam Habib, Natasha Staley, Ross Boeringer, Lesslie Dodge Crane, John Long, Carrie Mills, and Bryan Crossan.
Set in the 1890’s the action of the play takes place in London within a 24-hour span. Lord Darlington desperately wants to seduce Lady Margaret Windermere, who will have nothing of him, or at least not until she hears rumors that Lord Windermere is keeping time with a woman of questionable virtue. However, like so many other good stories, not everything is as it seems, and by the end, the twists have almost untwisted.
Oscar Wilde's first play, Lady Windermere’s Fan confronts the hypocrisy of public 'morality' compared with genuine, private kindness. When it opened in 1892, Lady Windermere's Fan was an instant success and now, a century later; it continues to be revived frequently. The reasons for its popularity are not difficult to identify: the play's witty dialogue contains many of Wilde's most quoted aphorisms, its stylish setting provides opportunities for elegant presentation, and the cast of memorable characters play out a story which is genuinely moving.
Ticket prices for the play are from $16 to $48, depending on the performance day and time, with special discounts for students, seniors, and groups of 10 or more. Flex Subscriptions, $99 PlayPass and $25 StudentPass are also available. To purchase tickets, please call 941-351-8000 or toll-free at 800-361-8388, or order them online at www.asolo.org.
The Asolo Theatre Company performs in rotating repertory from November to June, within two theatres located at the FSUCenter for the Performing Arts - 5555 North Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
###
The Asolo is funded in part by the Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of State, The Florida Arts Council, the City and County of Sarasota and the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Sarasota Arts Council. The Asolo Theatre Company’s Shakespeare productions are sponsored in part by Shakespeare in American Communities, a national theater initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Sallie Mae Fund in cooperation with Arts Midwest. Additional funding is also received through the efforts of support groups including the Asolo Angel Association, the Asolo Theatre Guild, The Directors Emeritus and the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations.