David Ives's Adaptation of Corneille's THE LIAR Opens 2/1 at Shakespeare & Company

Following last winter's wildly successful run of Molière's The Learned Ladies, a hilarious French farce will once again heat up the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre in February and March at Shakespeare & Company. This year, a talented ensemble of Company artists will take on award-winning playwright David Ives's (Venus in Fur, All in the Timing) razor sharp and rib-tickling adaptation of Pierre Corneille's classic farce, The Liar, running from February 1 through March 24. The production is directed by founding member Kevin G. Coleman, the critically acclaimed director of The Memory of Water (2011) and The Winter's Tale (2010), among many others.

Shakespeare & Company is elated to welcome David Ives to the Berkshires during the first week of rehearsals, which begin this week. Mr. Ives was present for rehearsals and the reading of The Liar at Shakespeare & Company in 2011 as part of the Company'sStudio Festival of Plays, and will offer his distinct playwright's perspective in the Early Stages of the rehearsal process. To arrange interviews, contact Associate Director of Communications Greg Hughes at (413) 637-1199, ext. 145 or ghughes@shakespeare.org.

"We did a reading of The Liar at Shakespeare & Company a few years ago in their play reading series and I'm looking forward to having it in their winter season," says David Ives. "To be part of the rehearsal process, to be in the room in the early days of rehearsals working with the director and actors is something I very much enjoy. Hopefully this will be the first of many more collaborations with the Company."

Tickets are $15-$50, and S&Co. offers a wide range of discount options, including discounts for groups, students, senior citizens, military, teachers and our very popular 40% Berkshire Resident Discount. To view a complete schedule, receive a brochure, or inquire about discounts, please call the Box Office at (413) 637-3353 or visitwww.Shakespeare.org. For customized group visits-which may include artist talkbacks, tours, and catered events-contact the Group Sales office at (413) 637-1199, ext. 132. The Bernstein Theatre is hearing aid assisted, heated, and wheelchair accessible. Back by popular demand, Shakespeare & Company's annual Valentine's Day Brunch will return on Sunday, February 10th. Visit www.Shakespeare.org for further information and to book brunch and show packages.

A tangled web of lies, misdirected advances, and the unmistakable confusion of love, The Liar has all of the ingredients of a perfect French farce. The truth will set most people free, but for Dorante (our disingenuous hero) a series of fibs may pave a convoluted road to happiness. The Liar was originally penned by the classic 17th Century playwright Pierre Corneille, in 1664. This translation by award-winning American playwright David Ives merges the iambic humor of classic verse with a contemporary twist.

The Liar reunites several of the stellar cast members from The Learned Ladies,including Dana Harrison (As You Like It), Alexandra Lincoln (The Venetian Twins), and Enrico Spada (King Lear). The leading role of Dorante will be embodied by Company favorite David Joseph, who was last seen in the summer's sold-out run of The Tempestfeaturing Olympia Dukakis. The ensemble is completed by Jake Berger (Tartuffe the Imposter), Emily Rose Ehlinger (the New England Tour of Macbeth), Douglas Seldin (Tartuffe the Imposter), and newcomer Marcus Kearns.