Merced Shakespearefest

Something wicked this way comes…

The marquee is up and our production of MACBETH opens on November 13th!

Tickets: https://tickets.mercedtheatre.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=444

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of RSC Honorary Associate Artist, Sir Patrick Stewart; a colossus of both stage and screen and one of the finest classical Shakespearean actors of his generation.

Having first joined the company in 1966, serving as a core member of the RSC until 1982, Sir Patrick went on to appear in over forty RSC productions, taking on early supporting roles as a member of Sir Peter Hall’s resident ensemble before graduating to major classical leads, with standout roles including Shylock, Prospero, Macbeth, Antony, Claudius and Henry IV.

Despite being one of the most recognisable Shakespearean performers in the world, Sir Patrick remained deeply connected to Stratford-upon-Avon and the RSC throughout his career. His contribution to our company and to our industry is beyond measure. Our thoughts go out to his family at this time and to all those touched by his greatness.

Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey

📸 ⁠Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC

We are three weeks away from opening night of MACBETH! Get your tickets today: https://tickets.mercedtheatre.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=444

MEET THE CAST OF MACBETH
Playing November 13-15 at the Merced Theatre

Heike Hambley (First Witch) is Merced’s “Shakespeare Lady”, the Founder and Artistic Director of Merced Shakespearefest. For 25 years she has been at the helm of the organization where she has directed close to 30 plays of the Bard, and performed in more than a dozen – her favorite being the role of Julius Caesar. In the last few years she directed among others “Pericles”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (together with Shawn Overton), “All’s Well That Ends Well”, “Romeo and Juliet” and “Hamlet”. This time she is happy that Henry is directing! She has performed/directed with Playhouse Merced, Phoenix, Merced College, Kraken
Theater in Merced, Prospect Theater, Center Stage, and Gallo Repertory in Modesto. Playing one of the witches is a dream come true: “When shall we three meet again…?”

Tickets: https://tickets.mercedtheatre.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=444

MEET THE CAST OF MACBETH
Playing November 13-15 at the Merced Theatre

Faye Wilde (Ross) is thrilled to be part of the play that must not be named! She has a Bachelor’s from Jessup University and is earning her Master’s from Regent University—both in theatre. Over the summer, Faye
made her MercedShakes debut as Trinculo in The Tempest. Among the many characters she has performed on stage, her favorite experiences were
playing Lady Augusta Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest and Lysandra in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is a SPED teacher, stage manager and acting coach at Center Stage Kids, and freelance
photographer ().

Tickets: https://tickets.mercedtheatre.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=444

MEET THE CAST OF MACBETH
Playing November 13-15 at the Merced Theatre

Zairah Quevedo (Lennox) is beyond excited to return to the Merced Theater’s stage for this production of Macbeth. Previously, she has portrayed Sebastian in Merced Shakespeare Fest’s free summer production of Twelfth Night, and Guildenstern in their production of Hamlet last year. She has also been on the Merced College stage numerous times, both onstage and behind the scenes as an actress and prop master in shows like Three Musketeers and In The Heights respectively. She hopes audiences will find themselves immersed in a tale that highlights the lengths someone will go to attain power and those who will stand in opposition to such tyranny. She’ll see you in November!

Tickets: https://tickets.mercedtheatre.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=444

MEET THE CAST OF MACBETH
Playing November 13-15 at the Merced Theatre

Edgar Martinez (Young Siward/Second Murderer) originally from Los Angeles, came to Merced to study at the UC but stayed because of the community he found. During the day he works for local nonprofits, including Treehouse Tutoring where he serves as the Executive Director. In the past year Edgar has had the chance to work with most of the theatres in Merced. The roles he had the honor of playing include: Usnavi in In The Heights, Clark in We are the Tigers, Ernst in Cabaret, Greg P. and others in The Laramie Project, and most recently Kevin J. and others in Come from Away. This will be Edgar's first production with Merced Shakes and the first time he tackles Shakespeare, he could not be more excited. Edgar would like to thank all his friends, family, and coworkers for letting him play pretend as often as he does and dealing with his schedule.