Cast Announced for "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare"

Press release

Valley Shakespeare Festival Introduces the Cast of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

Valley Shakespeare Festival is thrilled to announce the dynamic and talented cast for this summer's production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). This fast-paced, boisterous show will be performed by a stellar trio of actors from July 11th to 14th at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Shelton and from July 18th to 21st at Quarry Walk in Oxford. It is near impossible to list and describe all the characters in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Afterall, three actors portray the characters in all thirty-seven of Shakespeare’s plays in about ninety minutes!

Valley Shakespeare Festival is so excited to introduce the three actors taking on this goliath of a show. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) uses a “play within a play” format, where each actor plays a character who uses their actual names (Nick, Keisha, and Matt) while also covering almost all of Shakespeare’s notable characters throughout the course of this wild ride of a comedy.

Keisha T. Fraser has worked on Broadway in the original production of Mamma Mia! (as Lisa), the US 1st National Tour of Matilda and in London’s West End The Book of Mormon. Keisha can also be seen featured on television in Blue Bloods, Undercover Brother, Shazam!, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Kim’s Convenience.

Nick Roesler’s recent roles include Karl Lindner/Steve in Clybourne Park (Music Theatre of Connecticut), for which he was nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play by the Connecticut Critics Circle. He was also recently seen at Saybrook Stage, Capital Classics Theater and the Inis Nua Theatre. Nick is also an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Central Connecticut State University.

Lastly, Matt Mancuso, who has become a staple at Valley Shakespeare over the past few years, including playing Algernon in last year's The Importance of Being Earnest. His recent credits include Ghost the Musical (Carl), Clybourne Park (Jim/Tom), and Jersey Boys (Bob Crewe) all with Music Theatre of Connecticut.

Valley Shakespeare Festival is thrilled to premiere this spectacular trio, who are a crucial aspect in bringing accessible, high-quality theater to the Shelton and Oxford community.

The play also includes an education component before the performance with an education center, where young and old can learn more about the Bard. Valley Shakespeare Festival has also continued their summer job program with students from Oxford High School, Notre Dame West Haven, Fairfield College Preparatory, University of New Haven and Fordham University.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) will be presented July 11th through the 14th at 7pm at Veterans Park, 38 Canal Street E., Shelton, CT. As well as, July 18th through 21st at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road, Oxford, CT. Tickets are free with a suggested $10 donation per person. Bring a picnic, blanket, lawn chair, bug spray and watch this hysterical Olympian feat by our three actors.