Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Presents "Shakespeare Salon"

On Monday, June 2, The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company will present the inaugural event in its new "Shakespeare Salon" series, which pairs writers and actors reflecting on the work of William Shakespeare.

The first evening, featuring writer Anita Diamant and actor Jennifer Dundas, will be moderated by Steven Maler, Founding Artistic Director of CSC. The 7:30 p.m. event will take place at the Stuart Street Playhouse, located at 200 Stuart Street in the Raddison Hotel. Diamant and Dundas will discuss the mysteries and contradictions of "The Taming of the Shrew," in which Dundas played the role of Kate for Maler's 2006 production. Admission is free, although donations to support CSC's programming will be gratefully accepted.

Anita Diamant is the author of the best-selling novels The Red Tent and Good Harbor, and the collection of essays, Pitching My Tent. An award-winning journalist whose work has appeared regularly in The Boston Globe Magazine and Parenting, she is the author of six nonfiction guides to contemporary Jewish life.

Newton native Jennifer Dundas has had a long and distinguished career in the theatre. She starred in the American premieres of Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia" opposite Billy Crudup on Broadway, "Iron" and "Further Than The Furthest Thing" at Manhattan Theatre Club, and "Shopping and F***ing" opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman at New York Theater Workshop. She created the role of Edie in the world premiere of Jules Feiffer's "Grownups" on Broadway, and originated Maggie in Peter Hedges' "Good As New" opposite John Spencer at Manhattan Class Company, for which she received an OBIE Award. She has played starring roles at Trinity Rep, Yale Rep, Seattle Rep, American Repertory Theatre, South Coast Rep, and Long Wharf Theater among others. She most recently appeared on stage in "Crimes of the Heart" in New York, directed by Kathleen Turner.

Maler commented, "We hope to do three or four of these each year in an attempt to produce innovative programming that supports our summer work."

For more information, call 617-426-0863.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, best known for its annual free performances on Boston Common, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing the works of William Shakespeare in vital and contemporary productions to the people of Boston. CSC was founded in 1996 by Steven Maler, who has directed all of its productions. This summer, he will direct "As You Like It," sponsored by Citi, July 18-August 3, on Boston Common and August 8-10 in Springfield.

-- OnStage Boston