Seven Ages Theatricals is thrilled to announce that the Sheboygan-based Indie theatre company will be presenting the WORLD PREMIERE production of Fool, Christopher Moore's New York Times best-selling comic novel in a new adaptation by the Reduced Shakespeare Company's Austin Tichenor,
in May/June 2025! 

Fool tells the hilarious behind-the-scenes tale of what really happened around the events of Shakespeare’s King Lear, as narrated by Pocket, the titular jester. While Lear is considered one of the Bard’s great tragedies, the real tragedy is the obfuscation of all of the outrageous treachery, betrayal, derring-do, shagging, and general shenanigans that went on around and in the wings of the tale of the elder King.

Mr. Tichenor is an internationally renowned actor, playwright, and director, and the co-Artistic Director of the Reduced Shakespeare Company (creators of The Complete Works/History (abridged) family of titles). Mr. Moore is the author of eighteen novels, including Lamb: the Gospel According to Biff Christ’s Childhood Pal, A Dirty Job, and Practical Demonkeeping, amongst many others. It’s a match made in Shakespeare comedy-heaven: The NY Times-bestselling novel depicting a comic version of King Lear adapted by the co-artistic director of the Reduced Shakespeare Company! Mr. Moore went on to write two more novels in the Pocket Chronicles, “Serpent of Venice,” which pitches Pocket into a mash-up of The Merchant of Venice and Othello, then “Shakespeare for Squirrels,” where Pocket must solve the murder of Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mr. Tichenor is also the co-author of the plays William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged), The Comedy of Hamlet! (a prequel), and the illustrated children’s book "Pop-Up Shakespeare."

The new piece will be performed weekends from May 23rd - June 8th at the historic John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Throughout the first weekend, Mr. Tichernor will be on hand for post-show discussions about the development of the piece, and Mr. Tichenor and Mr. Moore will be present for closing weekend for the same, including an extra event at WordHaven to discuss Mr. Moore's new book, "Anima Rising." 

Fool will be directed by 7AT Executive Artistic Director Tom Berger and stage managed by Trudy Berger. Lee Koeppen is the set designer, with production assistance from Emily Milski and Brandon Otten, who also serve as swings for most of the principle roles. The premiere stars August Rose as the titular Pocket and Stephen Myers as King Lear. Co-starring will be 7AT Associate AD Emily Sandoval as Cordelia, Tara Jackson as Goneril, Amanda Ellis as Regan, Daniel Hennell as Kent, Will Forman as Edmund, and Jardin Fontaine as Edgar. The entire cast (with the exception of Mr. Rose) will be pulling double, triple, and quadruple duty as this play with almost 30 characters is portrayed by only EIGHT actors! 

Don't miss this exciting new play, making its premiere right here in our community! Help us bring Fool to life in Sheboygan, Wisconsin with a donation of any size at the link below.