Touring Shows

by Matthew Windham & A.J. Maniglia

Age Range: 8-108
Booking Fee: $300, mileage for up to 2 vehicles
Run Time: 45 mins

Description: Simply Silly Shakespeare is a delightful, forty-five minute comedy for all ages full of Shakespeare related songs, scenes, and hilarious interactive opportunities. Starring and created by beloved Flagstaff theater locals Matthew Windham and AJ Maniglia, the show is sure to please young and old alike. The show is directed by Essie Windham and features music by a local musician. No previous Shakespeare experience needed!

Audience Testimonial: FlagShakes brought their Simply Silly Shakespeare program into my class, and it was amazing. After learning some Shakespeare my students were ecstatic to see and fun and goofy performance that encompassed all of Shakespeare’s greatest works. The actors are brilliant in their delivery and do an amazing job at including all students in the performance. Simply Silly Shakespeare is a hilariously fun interactive performance that I would highly recommend to any class studying William Shakespeare.

by Lisa B. Thompson

Age Range: 18+, adult themes and language
Booking Fee: $600, mileage for up to 2 vehicles
Run Time: 95mins/10min intermission

Description: This two person play brings audiences new perspectives on what it is like to be a Black woman in America today. The play is told from a viewpoint we rarely hear, a middle class Black woman, and includes ample direct audience address to draw the viewer into the story. The show examines the ebbs and flows of navigating life as a single Black woman in the modern world. Following two “SBF”s (single Black females): one an artistic professor, and the second a sophisticated lawyer, the women talk about class, dating, past relationships, interracial dynamics, and their connections with other Black women, all conveyed with a mix of comedy, satire, and poignancy. The show highlights the beauty of female friendships but is relatable to people of all walks of life, regardless of race or gender.

Audience Testimonial: I recently had the pleasure of attending the two-woman show, Single Black Female, and I must say it was a truly relatable and enjoyable experience. The play delves into the lives of thirty-something African American middle-class women in urban America, tackling serious topics with a refreshing sense of humor. What struck me the most about the show was its relatability.
The characters, an English literature professor and a corporate lawyer, navigate through the challenges of love, self-acceptance, and societal expectations. Their struggles and triumphs resonated with the audience, reminding us that we are not alone in our experiences. Despite the serious topics being discussed, the play managed to maintain a light-hearted and fun atmosphere. The rapid-fire comic vignettes kept the audience engaged and entertained throughout.

It was impressive how the actors seamlessly transitioned between various characters, bringing each one to life with their incredible talent. I left feeling inspired and convinced that more people need to see this play. It sheds light on the complexities of interracial dating, the allure of shopping, and the power of reconnecting with one’s roots. It challenges stereotypes and offers a fresh perspective on the lives of African American women.

Lastly, I must commend the quality of the actors’ performances. They delivered their lines with such conviction and authenticity that it felt like we were witnessing real-life conversations unfold before our eyes. Their chemistry on stage was palpable, adding another layer of depth to the story. In conclusion, Single Black Female is a must-see play that combines relatability, humor, and thought-provoking themes. It is a testament to the talent of the actors and the importance of telling diverse stories on stage. I highly recommend this play to everyone, as it has the power to entertain, educate, and inspire.

by Hannah Johnson

Age Range: 10+, adult subject matter
Booking Fee: $400, mileage for up to 2 vehicles
Run Time: 45mins

Description: Written by and starring Hannah Johnson, the festival’s marketing director and long-time actor, and featuring Bailey Cunningham on the piano, this cabaret-style play showcases musical theater songs and stories from Hannah’s life. The performance highlights the growing pains of modern life as a young woman: love, loss, boyfriends, best friends, mammas, tears, and laughter.

Audience Testimonial: Hannah Fontes is an actress most known in Arizona for her work with the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival […] She made her cabaret debut with a piece she has been writing since college, which opened with the title song “I Am Playing Me” from [title of show] written by Jeff Bowen. Fontes exuded charm and positive energy. ​​She was accompanied by the very talented Bailey Cunningham on a grand piano. The stage was set with a stool, a mic, and a music stand under simple stars suspended from the ceiling.

This was the first time I heard Fontes sing. Having majored in musical theater in college, she negotiates songs as an actress, using a clear, focused chest voice. I was surprised by her ability to bring her emotions into each song and her never losing her breath control. She engaged with her audience as she encouraged us to be better, healthier, and more confident and to join her in the world of cockeyed optimism.