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The Women's Shakespeare Company will present a new adaptation of John Ford's 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE, directed and adapted by R.J. Tolan, at Speeed, 20 West 39th Street, between 5th and 6th. Performances will begin on March 15th, with the opening set for March 18th.

'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE tells a story that is as shocking now as it was in the 1630's - that of a brother and sister who conceive a child. In this new adaptation, director R.J. Tolan stages the show in a nightclub (Speeed), with a full rock score performed by an onstage band. Giovanni, the brother who falls in lust with his sister, is the lead singer of a rock group, and he will perform many of the songs with the band as part of the show. This new 'TIS PITY is more than a rock musical, it is a punk rock show combined with a classic play. The costumes, designed by club/fetishwear clothier Garo Sparo and San Francisco Shakespeare Festival veteran Becky Hubert, will reflect the sensuality of the play. Like all Women's Shakespeare Company productions, this one features an all-female cast.

The Women's Shakespeare Company was founded by Artistic Director Kelly Ann Sharman to give women the opportunity to play roles they are not usually able to play by producing classic works with all-female casts. In other words, the women will play male roles as men, just as men played women's roles in Elizabethan times. Previous productions include Measure For Measure at Altered Stages and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at The Abingdon Theatre.

'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE will begin performances on March 15th, for a March 18th opening, and will play through April 20th. Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm; there will also be performances Monday March 18th and Monday March 25th at 8:00pm. Tickets will be $15.00 and may be purchased by calling (212)501-1986 or order online at www.womensshakespeareco.org. Doors will open at 7:30pm, and drinks will be available for purchase for those 21 and over (ID required). Photos are available for download at www.brettsinger.com/pics/tispity.html.

'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE
A New Musical Adaptation of the John Ford Play
Adapted and Directed by R.J. Tolan; Songs by P.J. Cacioppo
At Speeed, 20 West 39th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues
Opens March 18th (Previews Begin March 15th)
SCHEDULE: Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm; Doors open at 7:30pm
Additional Performances: Monday March 18th and Monday March 25th at 8:00pm
TICKETS: All Seats $15.00, call (212)501-1986
or order online at www.womensshakespeareco.org
PRESS CONTACT: Brett Singer (212) 575-0263; clientinfo@brettsinger.com

View pictures from 'TIS PITY here.

For more information about 'TIS PITY, please call us at (212)575-0263, or send e-mail to clientinfo@brettsinger.com.