Grand Valley updates Shakespeare's 'Cymbeline'

When Shakespeare wrote the tragicomedy Cymbeline, he set it in the legendary period of Roman rule of Britain, a time of Britain’s nation building. Director Ian Borden has set Grand Valley State University’s production of "Cymbeline" during the American Civil War, a historic period of America's nation building.

“While this time period might be more relevant to contemporary audiences, Shakepeare’s focus is the same. It is a big, epic, rollicking adventure, a true romance of love lost and found.”

Borden is in his third year as a theatre faculty member at Grand Valley. As one of only 82 people in the nation certified by the Society of American Fight Directors, he is a stickler for accuracy in the choreography of the stage combat scenes.

Cymbeline, played by guest professional actor Aaron Alpern, is the governor of Kansas. When his only daughter, Imogen, played by student Hannah Gaff, marries against his will, he banishes from the state her new husband, Posthumus, a gentleman from the North played by recent graduate Dustin Mason. Another two dozen actors join them in the production, including Roger Ellis (Morgan), a member of the theatre faculty at Grand Valley.

“It has been invigorating to be in this production with such energetic students,” said Alpern. “I remember having a guest artist from Stratford in a production while I was a student at University of Michigan and feel honored to play a similar role for students here at Grand Valley.” Alpern also said the production is an interesting tightrope walk having both very serious and very funny moments.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on September 28-29 and October 4-6, with matinee performances at 2 p.m., September 29-30 and October 7. There will be sign language interpreters at the October 4 performance for the hearing impaired.

All performances are in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus. Recommended for ages 8 and older. General admission tickets are $14; alumni, faculty, staff and seniors, $12; and all students are $6.

Tickets are available in person at the LAT Box Office or with a service fee through Startickets Plus. For more information visit www.gvsu.edu/shakes or call (616) 331-2300.

Shakespeare Scholar-in-Residence James Shapiro will give pre-show informances at 6:45 p.m., preceding the October 4 and 5 performances. “Seven Weeks in Shakespeare’s Life,” is another free public presentation by Shapiro, October 5, from 3-5 p.m. in room 204, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus.

Media may contact Director Ian Borden at (616) 331- 8076.

CAST BIOS:

Aaron Alpern (Cymbeline), an Ann Arbor native, returns to Michigan as a guest artist for Grand Valley’s Shakespeare Festival. He has performed in many Chicago-area Shakespeare productions, and played stages in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Detroit, among others.

Dustin Mason (Posthumus), a recent Grand Valley theatre graduate, also returns from performing in Chicago. His roles included Walker Harris in Lee Blessing’s “Two Rooms” and Mal in “Battle Acts,” a highly original movement piece for which he also designed costumes.

Hannah Gaff (Imogen), a senior at Grand Valley with a double major in theatre and classical tradition, has performed in many previous Grand Valley productions. A member of Honors College, a Shakespeare scholar and a student summer scholar, Gaff has also written and produced “The Theories,” a transadaption of the Greek myth “Oresteia,” to be performed on Grand Valley’s Mainstage December 7-9.

Christopher Weaver (Jachimo), returns to Grand Valley’s Shakespeare Festival for the fourth consecutive year. Previous roles include Elbow in “Measure for Measure,” Claudius in “Hamlet,” and Boyet in “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” He also directed Heritage Theatre’s “Pump Boys and Dinettes” and has for the past four years directed the summer youth theatre program in Hastings.