Play Written by UA Prof Heads to NYC, Tuscaloosa Has Sneak Peek

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A play written by University of Alabama assistant professor of theatre Seth Panitch is heading for a stage in New York City in August, but will be performed in Tuscaloosa July 27, 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Allen Bales Theatre on the UA campus.

“Dammit, Shakespeare!” will run Aug. 8-13 at the renowned Urban Stages Theatre in New York City, but Tuscaloosa locals will have a sneak peek at this Manhattan-bound project. Advanced reservations are recommended because of limited seating and tickets are “pay what you ‘Will’”.

The play takes a decidedly different approach to Shakespeare’s story. In the tradition of the American musical, “Dammit, Shakespeare!” finds its “songs” in Shakespeare’s own words. In lieu of singing, each character breaks into an appropriate passage from Shakespeare’s text, expressing the story of Shakespeare’s life through his written words.

When Panitch sat down to pen a story about Shakespeare’s struggles as a writer, little did he imagine the future that this script would have. “The development of the play has, in many ways, mirrored my development as a writer and an actor. This is the sixth production and each time it’s done, I’ve rewritten it from a new vantage point, as both my development as an artist and my comprehension of the art has changed,” Panitch said. “Dammit, Shakespeare!” is a comedic look at the “world’s greatest playwright’s” struggle with fame, obscurity, stage fright and the burgeoning ego of his leading man, Richard Burbage.

“It’s more about writing and acting than it is about Shakespeare and Burbage,” said Panitch. “It’s an artistic divorce that takes place on the eve of their final performance together, as each struggles with their own jealousies toward the contributions of the other.”

Panitch teaches acting and movement at UA, directs mainstage productions and co-directs the master of fine arts program in acting and pedagogy. He is an accomplished actor, director, playwright and screenwriter.

This production is made possible by a generous grant from The University of Alabama Research Advisory Committee.

The department of theatre and dance is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest public liberal arts college in the state. Students from the college have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the “USA Today” Academic All American Team.