ACT the SECONDwherein the noble COUNT reccollects old WOUNDS   They overtook the lead elements of the army four miles up the road. The host was crossing the new canal between the Brenta and the Bacchiglione. Here they caught up with the commander of the foot soldiers, Vanni Scornigiani. Called...

THE SHOEMAKER'S SON a Tale of Illyriawherein the HANDSOME KNIGHT discovers true LONGING   Lyons, France1 October, 1316   The banners were so red they might have been made of actual flame. They snaked out, unfurling with a hearty crack before whipping back under the fury of the mighty...

ACT the THIRDwherein the FLEEING KNIGHT finds REFUGE in ART   Bursting through a stand of pines growing at the river’s mouth, Antony considered making a run across the bridge, but caution made him lie down and watch. He’d been running flat out for five minutes and needed to regain his brea...

ACT the SECONDwherein the DARING KNIGHT shows POOR MANNERS   “I’ve got it arranged,â€� murmured Uncle Arnaldo, edging in beside Antony. “The old man’s name is Gremio. Turns out he’s a jilted suitor for this Bianca trollop, and eager to distract himself by making a nice fat profit.â€�...

Capulet: How long is’t now since last yourself and I were in a mask? Old Man: By’r lady, thirty years. Capulet: What, man! ‘tis not so much, ‘tis not so much: ‘Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio, Come Pentecost as quickly as it will, Some five and twenty years; and then we...

As a victim of way too many Facebook games, I'm happy to point to these two amusing - and productive - web games that are my new addictions. The first sounds like a Joss Whedon creation: Dr. Wicked's Writing Lab . My friend Ralph turned me on to this. It's less a game than a funny ...

I've been busy working on the new novel, and have again been remiss in posting. But this one has me irked. This is a good story. Or rather, a bad one, that I feel the need to comment upon. So, w ithout using names, here 'tis: About five months back I had an interview for a show t...

Random Notes and Final Thoughts - When introducing a Shakespeare audition, just name the play and character. We don’t need the scene, we don’t need the background, and we already know the author. For a modern piece, again, character and play, but you may add the author, if you like. - We don’t...

Six weeks ago, I held auditions at Eastern Michigan University for R&J. There was a great turn out, and my wife Jan (who helped me cast the show) and I were very impressed with both the talent pool and the interest in the show. Despite the over-air-conditioned theatre, we enjoyed the opportunity...

Jay Donly, Sarah Leahy, Brian Carbine, Luna Alexander, Patrice Cross. Photo and lights by Jeromy Hopgood. If you wanted to throw my whole theory about the cause of the feud out of whack, you could point out to me that Lady Montague does not, in fact, have the final death in the play. I would answer ...