Shakespeare and Me at Byers-Evans House April 6, 2012

Byers-Evans House Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of “Shakespeare and Me”

Written by and Starring Joey Wishnia

Directed by Harry A. Cruzan

DENVER— The world premier of Shakespeare and Me written by and starring Joey Wishnia makes its debut April 6 - 14, Monday, April 16 and April 27 & 28 at The Byers-Evans House Museum, 1310 Bannock Street in Denver.

Joey Wishnia shares his personal, dramatic, and often hilarious, experiences with Shakespeare. Throughout his long career, Joey has appeared in 19 of Shakespeare's plays and directed five of them on three different continents. From his first school play through his most recent readings, he shares the trials and tribulations of an actor working with the Bard, including his encounter with the greatest Shakespearean actor of the last century - Sir Laurence Olivier. Joey is a master storyteller weaving Shakespeare's words effortlessly into, and through, his own stage experiences.

Joey Wishnia, recipient of the 2010-2011 CTG Henry Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre, was educated at Rhodes University and received a Teaching Diploma (Licentiate) in Speech and Drama from Trinity College, London.

He has worked in practically every facet of the entertainment industry, having been actor, director, and teacher and appeared in music hall, opera, cabaret, revues, movies, TV and many radio dramas, serials and soap operas.

He has written scripts for children’s theatre, devised and appeared in four one-man shows and developed several educational programs aimed at encouraging children to read. He is also a storyteller whose script Stories Small, a program of African folk-tales from all cultures, was performed at the ‘Blooming Lights Festival’ at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens in New York in December, 1999.

In 1993, he was the recipient of a special award for his contribution to children’s theatre in South Africa. He came to the United States in 1993 and quickly established himself in Denver, Colorado as actor and director concentrating on classical theatre.

The show takes place in the library of the historic Byers-Evans House Museum, amid the Evans family’s furnishings. The museum has always supported local theatre by serving as a venue for various small companies. All ticket proceeds help support museum programs, operations and education.

Byers-Evans House Theatre Company Shakespeare and Me - Written by and starring Joey Wishnia. The personal story of a Shakespearian actor. April 6 - 14 & 27 - 28 (no performance on April 20/21). Fri./Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $14.00 - Industry Night on Monday, April 16 - all tickets $10. Reservations at 303-620-4933. The Byers-Evans House Museum, 1310 Bannock Street, Denver, 13th Avenue Entrance. Byers-Evans House Museum Open daily, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays. Guided house tours 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission charged. For further information, visit www.byersevanshousemuseum.org or call 303-620-4933.