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

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Emanuel Noel Photography

Cast members of 'A Valentine's Affair.'

Laura Kochanowski, Ben Seidensticker, Maddie O'Keefe and Shelton Tripp, from left, in 'A Valentine's Affair,' Madison Shakespeare Company, 2026.

Love can be messy. Madison Shakespeare Company’s flirtatious annual compilation, “A Valentine’s Affair,” leans into the mess with works drawn from canonical writers such as William Congreve, Thomas Heywood, Edmond Rostand and, of course, Shakespeare. The best part is often the curveball: “Sonnets From a Hat,” where the audience helps pick a random sonnet to be performed. It’s a fast-moving, slightly feral mash-up of love in all its forms. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-13 and 5 p.m. Feb. 14.

media release: Madison Shakespeare Company announces the upcoming premiere of A Valentine's Affair 2026, a collection of classic love scenes directed by Joseph Green. In this year’s production, the works of William Shakespeare are featured alongside peer Thomas Heywood, successor William Congreve, and legendary French playwright Edmond Rostand. A Valentine’s Affair performs three nights only, February 12, 13, and 14 at the Bartell Theatre in downtown Madison. 

Now in its eighth season, Madison Shakespeare Company warms our chilly winter nights with the glow of romantic pursuit, jealous friction, and passionate seduction. Each Affair collection is a unique combination of love scenes. This year’s edition features the MSC debut of material from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cyrano de Bergerac, and The Way Of the World, blending the best of English and continental traditions.

This year’s presentation is directed by Joseph Green, a rising professional with deep Madison roots (Edgewood High School, UW-Madison). Green’s theatrical credits include American Players Theatre’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, Anton’s Shorts (assistant director), and Our Town, as well as work with Texas Shakespeare Festival and Skylight Music Theatre among others. Of this year’s production, Green says “​​Love deserves to exist for everyone and should be proudly shown.”

Each year MSC accents these bite-sized tales of love, heartbreak, jealousy, and passion is rounded out by a truly unique flourish: “Sonnets From a Hat.” Audience members challenge a cast member to perform a randomly selected sonnet in the style of their choosing. The entire production is just 90 minutes: a perfect length to pair with dinner, drinks, dancing, or wherever else your personal Cupid guides you.

This year’s Affair features lovers including Beatrice and Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing, the legendary love triangle of Christian, Roxane & Cyrano, the fruitlessly amorous Sir John Falstaff, and of course Romeo and Juliet. Performers Reesa Karamanski and Shelton Tripp make their MSC debuts, joined by veterans Laura Kochanowski, Deanna Martinez, Madeleine O’Keefe, Ben Seidensticker, Mitch Taylor, and Jason Compton.

Tickets are $25 general admission, available now at https://bartelltheatre.org .