About

AUSTIN SHAKESPEARE PRESENTS:

EL CID

NOVEMBER 10 - 26 | 7:30 P.M. | 3:00 P.M. ON SUNDAYS | THE ROLLINS THEATER

PIERRE CORNEILLE’S EL CID

DIRECTED BY ANN CICCOLELLA
TRANSLATION BY MICHAEL MEIGS

First performed in the 17th century, the popular play is the dramatic tale of how Rodrigo Diego becomes the hero El Cid while he faces conflicts with the love of his life, Ximèna, and her noble father. “El Cid features everything from inner conflict to virtuoso dueling,” said Austin Shakespeare Artistic Director Ann Ciccolella. “We’re very proud to bring this rarely performed Romantic French classic to Austin.”

El Cid will feature several actors new to Austin Shakespeare. The hero is played by Sebastian Vitale, who has been acting in Austin since 2020 when he arrived from Buenos Aires, Argentina with a career in TV, film and stage musicals. Ximèna is played by Veronica Kraemer, whose career includes recent acting jobs in France and Italy. Also new to the company is Nolan Muña, who plays Ximèna’s father, Count Gomes.

CREATIVE TEAM

Directed by Ann Ciccolella; Scenery and Lighting by Patrick W. Anthony; Costumes by Cecelia Gay; Original Music by Jeff Britting; Fight Choreography by Tobie Minor; Translation by Michael Meigs; Spanish Language Consultant Ana Duclaud; Vocal Coach Kate Glasheen; Properties Coordinator Liz Tyson

CAST OF CHARACTERS

• Don Rodrigo (El Cid) – Ximèna's lover, son of Don Diego by Sebastian Vitale*

• Ximèna – Daughter of Don Gomez by Veronica Kraemer

• Don Gomez, Count of Gomez – father of Ximène, General of Castile by Nolan Muña*

• Don Diego – Father of Don Rodríguez by Ev Lunning

• Don Fernand – King of Castile by Rupert Reyes

• Don Sancho – in love with Ximèna by Pablo Muñoz-Evers

• Elvira – Ximèna's governess by Vanessa Alvarado Flores

• Don Arias – nobleman of Castile by Joaquin Gonzalez

• Don Alonso – nobleman of Castile by Joseph Paz

• Princess – daughter to King of Castile by Eliza Renner

• Leonora – Lady-in-Waiting to Princess by Darby Williams

• *appearing through an agreement between Austin Shakespeare and Actors' Equity Assn., the union of professional actors and

BUY TICKETS!

Event Details

• Date: November 10 - 26, 2023
• Time: 7:30 P.M. | 3:00 P.M. on Sundays
• Venue: The Rollins Theater - Long Center for the Performing Arts
• Website: https://www.austinshakespeare.org/el-cid-2023

Ticket Information

• Cost: $15.00 - $45.00

Presenter Details

• Name: Austin Shakespeare

Austin Shakespeare presents professional theater of the highest quality with an emphasis on the plays of William Shakespeare, bringing to the public performances that are fresh, bold, imaginative, thought-provoking and eminently accessible, connecting the truths of the past with the challenges and possibilities of today

From the teen actors in the Young Shakespeare Company’s summer program to professional actors, including members of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA / the union for professional stage actors and stage managers), Austin Shakespeare wants audiences to experience classical works that are grand in emotional scale, imaginative in vision and intimately truthful.

Equity and non-Equity actors train together to embody the depth and breadth of Shakespeare’s characters -- and to speak the text with beauty, clarity and spontaneity. We seek to develop an approach to acting that spans two poles: from the intimacy of film experience to the grandeur of theatricality. As we perform regularly on a stage that is a replica of the outdoor Elizabethan, Curtain Theater, we discover more and more how to connect with the audience in ways that are accessible, energetic, imaginative and thoughtful.

Venue Details