Finding celebra-on and solace in the words and enchan-ng power of Shakespeare, Ms. Wolpe explores the courageous, ofen tragic, always fascina-ng history of her troubled family weaving personal photos, video and glorious passages from Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, The Winter’s Tale, Twelfh Night, Richard III and Romeo and Juliet. Similar to a fresh telling of R&J, Ms. Wolpe’s story wreaks havoc on the heart as the catastrophic circumstances of her family history would be too much to bear if not for the libera-on and catharsis that this valiant performer discovers (and the audience shares) in the telling of it…Through the words of Shakespeare, Ms. Wolpe tackles contemporary poli-cal and social issues, offers perspec-ves on the haun-ng influences of war, violence and vic-miza-on.

Artfully conceived and psychologically astute – this is an “Othello” to savor. –

Visionary theatre artist Lisa Wolpe is perhaps best known as the Producing Artistic Director of the LA Women’s Shakespeare Company, the award-winning company that produces professional produc-ons of Shakespeare’s plays with an all-female, mul-racial ensemble in Southern
California. Oregon Shakespeare, Berkeley Rep, Shakespeare & Company, Arizona Theater Company and many other theatres throughout America have featured Ms. Wolpe’s talents but Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender is a unique, poignant and intense amalgam of all things Wolpe and Shakespeare

Wolpe is one of the great stage actors of our generation, who breathes life into Shakespeare’s words as though they were dredged from her own soul.