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WORLD PREMIERE OF “FOOL”

Adapted by Austin Tichenor from the novel by Christopher Moore

Sheboygan, WI (May 21, 2025) — Seven Ages Theatricals (7AT), Sheboygan’s only indie theater company makes history with the ground-breaking WORLD PREMIERE of Fool, based on NY Times best-selling author Christopher Moore’s book of the same name and adapted by Austin Tichenor, Co-Artistic Director of the famed and revered Reduced Shakespeare Company. Fool shares a comedic take on the “real” story behind Shakespeare’s King Lear from the perspective of Pocket, Lear’s jester. At times hilarious, poignant, and surprisingly beautiful, Tichenor’s adaptation stars eight actors playing about two dozen roles.

Fool will run exclusively at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan from May 23 to June 8, 2025. 7AT Executive Artistic Director, Tom Berger, directs and provides the original incidental music, aided by John Bronston, a Broadway music director and performing artist. Fool’s sets will be designed by Lee Koeppen with additional design by Steve and Sue Toepel, costume design by Sam Krueger, lighting design by Lisa Stewart, and stage managed by Trudy Berger.

Starring in the premiere will be August Rose as Pocket, the titular jester, and Stephen Meyers as Lear. Most of the cast performs multiple roles, including Tara Jackson as Goneril, Amanda Ellis as Regan, Emily Sandoval as Cordelia, Christopher Lee Fontaine as Kent, Will Forman as Edmund, and Jardin Fontaine as Edgar. Emily Milski and Brandon Otten participate in a surprising way in addition to covering the principles.

Mr. Tichenor will attend select performances of Fool, and Mr. Moore will be attending the closing weekend, followed by an event at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, 2025 at WordHaven BookHouse for his new upcoming book, Anima Rising. There will be post-show discussions with the creators at these select performances, where audiences will get a chance to have a behind-the-scenes view of how the piece was developed over many years.

Audiences should be aware that Fool contains mature language and themes. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://sevenagestheatricals.squarespace.com/fool.

DETAILS OF PRODUCTION:

SHOW:             World Premiere of Fool

                        Adapted by Austin Tichenor from the novel by Christopher Moore

DATES:             May 23 – June 8, 2025

TIMES:             Friday & Saturday 7:30pm

                        Saturday & Sunday 2pm

WHERE:           John Michael Kohler Arts Center

                        608 New York Avenue

                        Sheboygan, WI

DIRECTOR:      Tom Berger

CAST:               August Rose as Pocket

Stephen Meyers as Lear

ENSEMBLE PLAYING MULTIPLE ROLES:

Tara Jackson, Amanda Ellis, Emily Sandoval, Christopher Lee Fontaine, Will Forman, Jardin Fontaine, and featuring Emily Milski and Brandon Otten

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ABOUT SEVEN AGES THEATRICALS:

Seven Ages Theatricals (7AT) offers services in all manner and levels of theatrical consultation, professional audition coaching, and original productions, drawing upon an international network of theatre artists in every aspect of the industry. The inspiration for 7AT’s name is that all theatre companies and organizations go through phases. Tom Berger has been Seven Ages Theatricals' Executive Artistic Director since its inception in 2019. Tom's work as a director, music director, choreographer, and performer has been seen all over the country in around 400 productions over 30 years. He also heads up the theatre department for the Valders School District in Valders, Wisconsin, and serves as a freelance musician at various venues around southeast Wisconsin. For more information about Seven Ages Theatricals, visit https://sevenagestheatricals.squarespace.com