Season Select: The Virgin Queen Entertains Her Fool

THE VIRGIN QUEEN ENTERTAINS HER FOOL

By Michael Hollinger
Directed by Aaron Posner

Playing: Hill Theatre | June 14 - September 19
Featuring: Tracy Michelle Arnold, Jim DeVita, Josh Krause, Nancy Rodríguez
Genre: Dark Comedy
Last Seen at APT: World (and APT) Premiere!
Go If You Liked: The Moors (2022), Exit the King (2018)

About The Virgin Queen Entertains Her Fool

Prepare for a wild, theatrical ride through the final hours of a waning Queen. As her monarchy teeters, she defers her duties, seeking solace in her bawdy, irreverent Fool. But there are others who may be more than they first appear; scheming players in a courtly game of incendiary secrets, ridiculous jests and the ever-current politics of power and privilege. A witty, twisty thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat (and rolling in the aisles), be among the very first to see it for yourself. Running June 14 - September 19.

Playwright Michael Hollinger may be new to APT, but his impressive collection of works has garnered accolades on a national level for years. With more than 12 original full-length plays, Hollinger's scripts examine a seemingly-endless scope of topics: organ donations, phantom authors, crumbling ecosystems and now, the nasty business of deciding who gets to rule kingdoms.

In a 2014 interview with Arden Theatre Company, a close creative partner of Hollinger’s works, Hollinger reflected that though he often doesn’t write about the same subject matter twice, there is a common string through his pieces. “I am always interested in the baser matter, and the way that high spiritual ideals – love, creativity, faith – are always brought down to Earth, and how human beings muck about with very tangible things in their quest for these higher values.”

That “muck” is something director Aaron Posner also does very well (just look at his work with Chekhov). Hollinger and Posner collaborated on the adaptation Cyrano in 2011, and both have been looking forward to working together again on this highly-anticipated world premiere.

Also, if you haven’t noticed already, Core Company actor Josh Krause is taking on the role of two fools this season – first Ermo, the Fool in this production, and then Lear’s Fool up the Hill in King Lear. In a medieval context, the position of the fool often brought with it a paradoxical power to both serve and satirize royalty, carefully treading the lines of the strict feudal system. Krause is no stranger to foolish behavior (just check out his Empty Box video), so we sincerely can’t wait to see his spin on these two very different takes of a very familiar architype.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BRENDA DEVITA SAYS

This one’s going to be a trip. And that’s pretty much all I’m going to say about that. It’s a world premiere, so absolutely no spoilers. What I will say - it’s been so exciting to work with playwright Michael Hollinger and Director Aaron Posner on bringing this play to life in our very own Touchstone Theatre. Michael and Aaron have been friends for a long time, and they’re just obviously having so much fun collaborating on this surprising and riveting piece of theater together. What’s so crazy is that it felt like it was written with us in mind!! It stars Tracy Arnold, Jim DeVita, Josh Krause and Nancy Rodríguez, who are all so perfectly suited to their parts it was a breeze to choose to do it!! There’s just no downside – except that tickets are almost sold out, so if you’re interested, please get them before they’re gone. People are going to be talking about this one!