Shakespeare in Love

Philadelphia Magazine

“PSF’s Shakespeare in Love is a Midsummer Night’s Dream”

“Sumptuous, high energy, extravagantly enjoyable.”

“Part romance, part swashbuckling adventure, part bawdy farce, part speculative history…so well-built, it will charm even neophytes.”

“Polished production, beautifully designed.”

“One of the largest—and more impressively, most consistent and cohesive—ensemble casts I’ve seen in a long while…there’s not a weak link.”

“Onstage musicians contribute to the merriment.”

“Mairin Lee (as Viola)…is lovely.”

“Luigi Sottile is a swoon-worthy Shakespeare—passionate, handsome, gloriously at home in both classical verse and broad comedy. Not since the young Kevin Kline have I seen an actor who brought together all these elements in such sublime balance.”

“There’s plenty of magic in the air at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival…wove its own midsummer night’s dream-like spell.”

Broad Street Review

“Lee and Sottile play a Viola and Will who could have leapt from the Bard’s own pages.”

“The play gushes with romance.”

“A fine physical production…and even finer acting ensemble.”

“Sottile…speaks the interpolated snatches of Shakespeare’s verse with a ravishing cadence suggesting the kind of natural classical actor rarely seen today.”

“Marvelous costumes.”

“A charming respite from the summer heat.”

The Morning Call

“Shakespeare Fest’s ‘Shakespeare in Love’ charming, funny and poignant”

“A truly charming and warmly satisfying romantic comedy.”

“Smartly staged by director Patrick Mulcahy…outstanding performances all around.”

“Luigi Sottile is endearing and unpretentious.”

“The lovely Viola De Lesseps, played with determination and intelligence by Mairin Lee.”

“Lee’s Viola is warm and enchanting.”

“Sottile’s Will is appealing and romantic.”

“Hilarious.”

“Justin Adams is winning as Will’s friend and rival playwright Marlowe.”

“Exciting and visceral sword fights directed by Mulcahy.”

“Music…is effectively woven into the scenes and provides a connecting aural backdrop.”

“The Elizabethan costumes by Lisa Zinni are excellent and the queen’s amazing gown is in a league of its own.”

Reading Eagle

“Mulcahy’s often compelling staging choices and tender direction ultimately transform the piece into an evening’s entertainment worthy of its source material.”

“More than a love story between a young William Shakespeare (a dashing and very funny Luigi Sottile) and the wealthy Viola De Lesseps (Mairin Lee, quite wonderful)…the play becomes…a celebration of the artistic process.”

“Unexpectedly moving and lovely…this truly gifted group of players is more than up to the task.”

“Richard B. Watson is hilarious as Henslowe.”

“The set design by Daniel Conway is a gorgeous and efficient evocation of a stage one would have seen in the Elizabethan era. Lisa Zinni’s period costumes are utterly dazzling…beautifully done.”

“The superb Justin Adams… discovers something in the character that touches the heart. Marlowe, in turn, honors the legacy of Shakespeare.”

WHYY:

“Delightful… classy Elizabethan fun, and in just the right venue.”

“The play is a delight, especially in the high-spirited production directed by the festival’s leader, Patrick Mulcahy.”

“A super-sized gift.”

“Charming…performed with haunting beauty.”

“Elizabethan-tinged music throughout the production sets perfect moods.”

The Lehigh Valley Press:

“Insightful, joyful and wonderful.”

“PSF Producing Artistic Director Patrick Mulcahy hits all the right notes and tropes in what is the best Shakespeare production, albeit a Shakespeare-themed production, in years at PSF. This is a monumental achievement.”

“So many extraordinary and marvelous scenes… boisterous and bountiful fun.”

“A delight from beginning to end.”

“Excellent actors…thrilling sword fights … has all you could ask for.”

“Sottile’s is a scrupulously-nuanced performance.”

“Lee is…a strong, independent woman.”

“The bejeweled sumptuous costumes…are dazzling.”

“Superb on so many levels.”

“Will enhance your appreciation of the Bard.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer

“Electric…”

“Luigi Sottile is a strong-voiced Shakespeare —- frustrated, angry, fearful, brave, amorous, sardonic — and you always believe him.”

“Charming…”

“Clever and fun loving.”king richard

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