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Experience Love, Laughter, and Music with this heartrending romp + Preshow concert of Revelry + Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s signature sprinkle of magic

Fall in Love with Shakespeare in Love.

Sweet Tea Shakespeare (STS) is proud to announce the opening of our production of Shakespeare in Love by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, directed by Jim Warren. This charming romantic comedy will run from June 22-July 2, 2023, in Fayetteville, North Carolina at The Downtown Market of Fayetteville at 325 Blount Street.

Shakespeare in Love, the hit Broadway play, is a romantic comedy that tells the story of William Shakespeare, a struggling young playwright in 16th-century London. With writer’s block and a looming deadline, Shakespeare finds inspiration in the form of a beautiful noblewoman named Viola, who dreams of being an actress in a time when women were not allowed to perform on stage.

Rated PG-13. Sexual Content. Stage Violence. 

More About Shakespeare in Love

Events in Fayetteville NC | Shakespeare in Love Fayetteville NC | Musicals Fayetteville NC | 2023 Sweet Tea Shakespeare

As Shakespeare and Viola’s romance blossoms, their love becomes the inspiration for one of the most beloved plays of all time: Romeo and Juliet. But with the constraints of Elizabethan society, their love affair faces numerous obstacles and challenges, including the disapproval of Viola’s father, a ruthless theatre owner, and the fact that Viola is already engaged to another man.

Featuring a talented cast of actors, breathtaking music, and a witty script, Shakespeare in Love is a must-see for theater enthusiasts and Shakespeare lovers alike. With its perfect blend of humor, romance, and drama, this play will transport audiences back to a time when love and art knew no bounds.

Shakespeare in Love originally appeared as a film that won the Oscars Best Picture and famously starred Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes, among a who’s-who of other celebrities like Ben Affleck. The stage production broadens and deepens the film, folding in incredible music. This production will feature new music from former Fayetteville resident and U.S. Army member, Owen Eddy.

Featuring a cast of talented local, regional, and national actors and musicians, this production promises to be an unforgettable theatrical experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just starting out on your exploration of the works of The Bard, this show is sure to leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power of love and language. Cast members include STS Artistic Director Jeremy Fiebig as Richard Burbage, Deputy Artistic Director Traycie Kuhn-Zapata as Christopher Marlowe, Henry Helms as Will, and Matara Hitchcock as Viola.

Other cast and musicians include Methodist University’s Dr. Evan Bridenstine, Fayetteville State University student actors Michaiah Moore and Harmony Hill, and local and regional professionals including Cape Fear Regional Theatre favorite Matthew Stewart Jackson, as well as Paul Woolverton, Katherine Gerondelis, Stephanie Meador, Taj Allen, Alexis Robinson, Annabeth Clark, Dyrrin Ray, Joel Wise, Savannah Sawyer, Tricia Horvath, Aaron Mason, Abby Hughes, Emma Hughes, and a starring appearance by a four-legged guest artist from Fayetteville Animal Protection Society (FAPS).

Don’t miss your chance to see this captivating performance in beautiful Fayetteville, NC! Join Sweet Tea Shakespeare for a night of laughter and love, Thursdays through Sundays June 22-July 2, 2023. Get your tickets now and make sure you don’t miss out on this must-see event!

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

MORE ABOUT THE SWEET TEA SHAKESPEARE EXPERIENCE

CONTENT NOTE GUIDE

This play contains:
* Sexual content
* Stage violence

PG-13 Rated

Additional questions regarding content can be directed to info@sweetteashakespeare.com

Live Music Preshow

Most of our in-person and full-length online productions feature preshow entertainment with live music featuring our house band, The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (also known as “WOCO”). Along with music, enjoy plenty of warm hospitality and ways to engage, from bidding on special seating, which we call “Chair Paravel,” to adorning Sweet Tea Shakespeare swag available for purchase, to yard games and activities.

BECOME A SWEET TEA SHAKESPEARE MEMBER

Monthly and annual members receive special advance ticket rates, complimentary tickets, complimentary ticket exchanges, stickers, totes, and other sweet merchandise, and much more. For information on becoming a Sweet Tea Shakespeare Member go to patreon.com/sweetteashakes.

Tickets

General Admission: $30
Seniors: $27
Seniors are considered 55+
Military/Gold Star Families: $27
Military is anyone with a valid military ID, including active duty, retired, veteran, and any immediate family members
Students: $20*
Students are anyone school aged or college and university students of any age with valid ID

*Students interested in free tickets may volunteer for STS

Accessibility

The Downtown Market of Fayetteville

The Downtown Market of Fayetteville is accessible, with handicap parking, a ramp to doors, and standard width doors for entry. Restrooms are available. Audience seating is on folding chairs; cushions are available for rent (free for Patreon Members). You’re welcome to bring your own cushions.

The North side of DTM meets train tracks, so guests are encouraged to add extra time or to arrive from the South off of Gillespie Street.

Streaming

Streaming (recorded) tickets are available now. On-demand viewing links will be sent to streaming buyers and Patreon Members when available.

Contact Information

Call 910-420-4384 (available 1 hour prior to the performance until 30 minutes into the performance) or email tickets@sweetteashakespeare.com.

Support

This production is sponsored by a grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville & Cumberland County, with funding from the NC Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Additional support comes from Rand & Gregory Attorneys at Law.

Mission

Sweet Tea Shakespeare gathers diverse communities around a common table to delight in the magic of story, song, and stagecraft.

Events in Fayetteville NC | Shakespeare in Love Fayetteville NC | Musicals Fayetteville NC | 2023 Sweet Tea Shakespeare

Stuff that Happens in Shakespeare in Love

  • The play begins in 16th-century London, where struggling playwright William Shakespeare is suffering from writer’s block and a looming deadline.
  • Shakespeare finds inspiration in the form of a beautiful noblewoman named Viola, who dreams of being an actress despite the societal constraints against women on stage.
  • As Shakespeare and Viola’s romance blossoms, their love becomes the inspiration for one of the most beloved plays of all time: Romeo and Juliet.
  • However, their love affair faces numerous obstacles and challenges, including the disapproval of Viola’s father, plus a ruthless theatre owner, and the fact that Viola is already engaged to another man.
  • Along the way, we meet a colorful cast of characters including fellow actors, rival playwrights, and Queen Elizabeth herself.
  • Ultimately, the play culminates in a performance of Romeo and Juliet that brings the audience to tears and cements Shakespeare’s place in history as one of the greatest playwrights of all time.
  • The play, we should note, is historical fiction.
Events in Fayetteville NC | Shakespeare in Love Fayetteville NC | Musicals Fayetteville NC | 2023 Sweet Tea Shakespeare
Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea Shakespeare is a theatre & music company based in Fayetteville NC. We also do Shakespeare in Raleigh NC, Shakespeare in Sanford NC, Shakespeare in Elizabethtown NC. We do occasional musical theatre. We do school performances. We have a drunk Shakespeare series called LIT. We have a young company called Green Tea.