Friedrich Schiller’s classic play, in an acclaimed translation by Peter Oswald, brings to life a dramatic interpretation of the clash between the imprisoned Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots and her rival Queen Elizabeth I. This unique and exciting production crafts a compelling portrait of a tragic heroine rising above her suffering to gain absolution and spiritual enlightenment. In contrast, Elizabeth, in turmoil over the correct course of action for her country and trapped by the cruel demands of her court, can insure her sovereignty only at a terrible moral cost. Ignited by a fictitious meeting of the two women, this dramatic political battle of the two titular queens reveals equal parts human tragedy and an emotional war of words that echo throughout history.

The running time for this production is 2 hours and 30 minutes, plus one 15 minute intermission. First half runs 90 minutes and the second half runs 50 minutes.

Please be advised this production contains fog/haze.

ALEX MALLORY (Director) is a third-year director in the MFA program at Northwestern investigating theatrical collisions of violence and identity. Directing highlights include GOLIATH, DIJLA WAL FURAT, FAITH, and THE REFUGE PROJECT, all developed with Poetic Theater Productions, and an original adaptation of SPRING AWAKENING at Northwestern. Since 2012 she has worked with military veterans as a director and facilitator with The Telling Project, the Veteran Artist Program, DE-CRUIT, and LaGuardia Community College. She holds a BA in Drama from Stanford University, where she received the Louis Sudler Prize in Creative Arts and the Sherifa Omade Edoga Prize for work involving social issues. Assistant Directing includes THE MINUTES (Steppenwolf), CRESSIDA ON TOP (Goodman New Stages), THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER (Lookingglass), and INDECENT (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). She is extremely grateful to the cast, designers, and production team for bringing this production to life. Associate Member, SDC. www.alex-mallory.com

JOHANN CHRISTOPH FRIEDRICH VON SCHILLER (Playwright, German, 1759 – 1805) was a German poet, philosopher, physician, historian, and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life (1788–1805), Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with the already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. They frequently discussed issues concerning aesthetics, and Schiller encouraged Goethe to finish works he left as sketches. This relationship and these discussions led to a period now referred to as Weimar Classicism. They also worked together on Xenien, a collection of short satirical poems in which both Schiller and Goethe challenge opponents to their philosophical vision. Schiller is considered by most Germans to be Germany’s most important classical playwright. Critics like F.J. Lamport and Eric Auerbach have noted his innovative use of dramatic structure and his creation of new forms, such as the melodrama and the bourgeois tragedy. A selection of his plays include THE ROBBERS, FIESCO, INTRIGUE AND LOVE, DON CARLOS, THE WALLENSTEIN TRILOGY, THE MAID OF ORLEANS, THE BRIDE OF MESSINA and WILLIAM TELL.

PETER OSWALD (Adaptor) was a founding member of Heart’s Tongue Theatre Company, based in Devon; he has been Writer in Residence at Dartington Hall, Devon, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London. He was a Writer in Residence at the Finborough Theatre, London. A selection of his original plays and adaptations include LUCIFER SAVED, THE WORLD AT YOUR FEET, SHORT SHRIFTS, DEMETRIUS, LISBON, THE GODODDIN, I HAVE SPOKEN, THE TEMPLE, CATHERINE, THE STORM, BLIGHTY, WHITE CRANE TO LITANG, ASH, THE SHY MAN, THE GOLDEN ASS, RAMAYANA, AUGUSTINE’S OAK, ODYSSEUS, THE PRISONER’S EASTER, DONA ROSITA, FAIR LADEIS AT A GAME OF POEM CARDS and DON CARLOS.

Creative Team

Scenic Designer: Scott Penner
Costume Designer: Drina Krlic
Lighting Designer: Gabrielle Strong
Fight & Intimacy Choreographer: Britain Willcock

Performance Schedule

Friday, April 26 at 7:30PM
Saturday, April 27 at 7:30PM
Sunday, April 28 at 2:00PM
Thursday, May 2 at 7:30PM
Friday, May 3 at 7:30PM
Saturday, May 4 at 7:30PM
Sunday, May 5 at 2:00PM

Ticket Pricing

Adult $25
Seniors (62+) $22
Area Educator $22
NU Faculty/Staff/Emeriti $20
Full-Time Student $10
NU Student $6/Adv. $10/Door

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