A Valentine's Affair: Love Scenes from Shakespeare and Beyond

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Benjamin Barlow

One person leans on another.

Matt Reines (left) and Laura Kochanowski in a scene from "Othello," part of "A Valentine's Affair: Love Scenes from Shakespeare and Beyond," Madison Shakespeare Company, 2023.

Madison Shakespeare Company presents its fifth installment of Valentine's Day-appropriate scenes from the works of Shakespeare, plus contemporaries Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Middleton. All eight scenes are new to the series, but returning is one wild card each evening: “Sonnets from a Hat” puts the cast to the test of performing a sonnet randomly selected from audience suggestions. Annie Jay returns as director of this year's production; note, the time is 7:30 p.m., not 7 p.m. as published in the Feb. 2 print edition.

media release: Tickets $20 general admission.

A Valentine's Affair returns, with more bite-sized tales of love, heartbreak, jealousy, and passion to keep February warm and toasty.

This Valentine’s season, see young suitors compete for a beauty’s hand, feel the heat of seductive angels and passionate sinners, and watch a lady beat a king at the game of love when Madison Shakespeare Company presents A Valentine’s Affair 2023.

This year’s signature collection of love scenes includes selections from Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet, Henry the Sixth, Women Beware Women, Othello, and others. The eight scenes explore matters of the heart from young love to secret affairs and jealous manipulations. You’ll see familiar faces and surprising lovers on our stage, along with the completely unpredictable improvisation of Sonnets From a Hat.

Written by William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Thomas Middleton. Directed by Annie Jay.