Photo Preview: THE BRIDGE PROJECT At BAM

Tickets are on sale now for the initial engagement of The Bridge Project at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music. Tickets are available online at www.bam.org, by phone at (718)636-4100 or in person at the BAM box office (30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn NY).

Following a critically acclaimed inaugural year, theater and Academy Award-winning film director Sam Mendes again directs a transatlantic company of actors for the second season of The Bridge Project, a unique three-year series of co-productions by BAM, The Old Vic, and Neal Street devoted to producing large-scale, classical theater for international audiences.

The Bridge Project again begins its international journey in New York, with As You Like It opening at the BAM Harvey Theater in January 2010, followed by The Tempest in February 2010. It will then embark on an international tour visiting Asia and Europe before opening in London at The Old Vic in June 2010.

Year two features the intriguing double-bill pairing of Shakespeare's witty pastoral comedy As You Like It and his late masterpiece The Tempest with another stellar British/American cast that includes Christian Camargo as Orlando and Ariel in As You Like It and The Tempest; Stephen Dillane as Jaques and Prospero; Ron Cephas Jones as Charles the Wrestler and Caliban; Juliet Rylance as Rosalind and Miranda; and Thomas Sadoski as Touchstone and Stephano; and Michelle Beck as Celia and Ceres. Claire Béjanin is the international tour producer for The Bridge Project.

The complete acting company is as follows: Ashlie Atkinson (Phoebe/Juno), Jenni Barber (Audrey/Iris), Michelle Beck (Celia/Ceres), Edward Bennett (Oliver/Ferdinand)*, Christian Camargo (Orlando/Ariel), Stephen Dillane (Jaques/Prospero)*, Alvin Epstein (Adam/Gonzalo), Jonathan Lincoln Fried (Le Beau/Alonso), Richard Hansell (Amiens/Sebastian)*, Ron Cephas Jones (Charles the Wrestler/ Caliban), Aaron Krohn (Silvius/Adrian), Anthony O'Donnell (Corin/Trinculo)*, Juliet Rylance (Rosalind/Miranda)*, Thomas Sadoski (Touchstone/Stephano), Michael Thomas (Dukes Frederick and Senior/Antonio)*, Ross Waiton (Boatswain, Francisco, First Lord)* Production Stage Manager: Richard Clayton* Assistant Stage Manager: Jenefer Tait* Assistant Stage Manager: Sarah Ford. *indicates British member of company

The British cast members are appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association and the American cast members are appearing with the permission of UK Equity, incorporating Variety Artistes' Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association and UK Equity for their assistance of these productions. Anne-Marie Duff, who was previously announced for the season, has had to withdraw due to illness in her family.

Creative team
Director Sam Mendes
Set Designer Tom Piper
Costume Designer Catherine Zuber
Lighting Paul Pyant
Sound Simon Baker
Music Mark Bennett
Choreography Josh Prince
Casting Nancy Piccione and Maggie Lunn

BAM Engagement:
BAM Harvey Theater (651 Fulton St)
Jan 12-Mar 13 (As You Like It)/ opening: Jan 24
Feb 14-Mar 13 (The Tempest)/ opening: Feb 25
Tickets: $35, 65, 85, 95
As You Like It: *$25, 55, 75, 85 *Jan 12-18, Tue-Thu only
The Tempest: *$25, 55, 75, 85 *Feb 16-25, Tue-Thu only

As You Like It performance schedule. Note: opening Jan 24
Jan 12-17, Jan 19-23, Jan 26-30, Feb 2-6, Mar 2-5 at 7:30pm
Mar 7 and 13 at 2 PM
Jan 24, Jan 31, Feb 7 at 3pm
March 6 at 2pm

The Tempest performance schedule. Note: opening Feb 25
Feb 14, Feb 16-17*, Feb 18-21, Feb 23-28, Mar 6, Mar 9-12 at 7:30pm
Feb 28 at 2 PM
Mar 7, Mar 13 at 7:30 PM
*Spring Gala: BAM Patron Celebration

The Old Vic engagement
June 12-August 21, 2010

International tour dates to be announced