Very excited to announce that my current show, “The Good Person of Szechwan”, is extending! We will now have an extra week of shows here at California Shakespeare Theater. Tickets are now available through July 28th and can be purchased here. I couldn’t be happier to be performing at this exquisite theater with a beautiful community of artists.
I am spending a joyful Summer at California Shakespeare Theater. Last week was the last performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” directed by Tyne Rafaeli:
We are currently deep in rehearsals for “The Good Person of Szechwan” directed by Cal Shakes Artistic Director Eric Ting:
“Good Person” opens next week. Stay tuned for more!
I am overjoyed to announce that I will be spending this Summer with the good folks at California Shakespeare Theater, acting in two shows: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” directed by Tyne Rafaeli, and “The Good Person of Szechwan” directed by Cal Shakes Artistic Director (and Obie Award Winner!) Eric Ting. I have been seeing shows at Cal Shakes for many years and am a great fan of their work; I am so honored to be joining their team this season! Tickets and information available here.
Here is what the critics had to say about my performance as Ethan in Left Edge Theatre’s production of the play “Sex with Strangers” opposite the brilliant Sandra Ish:
“Linnard’s Ethan is irresistibly charming. His coarse manners and frank confidence are at once repulsive and magnetic … Linnard and Ish hit it out of the park … “Sex with Strangers” is a steamy, entertaining story of laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of food for serious thought”
Nicole Singley, Aisle Seat Review
“A play with only two actors depends greatly on the abilities of its performers, and Ish and Linnard are nimble, proficient and interesting to watch, excellent and seasoned professionals.”
Jeanie K. Smith, Talkin’ Broadway
I’m thrilled to announce that next up I will be playing Ethan in Laura Eason’s play “Sex with Strangers”. I will be returning to Left Edge Theatre in California, with whom I have previously appeared in “Bad Jews” and “Hand to God”. We run January 25th through February 17th and tickets and more information can be found here.
Howdy, Internet!
The reviews are in! I had the good fortune to play Jason / Tyrone in the play “Hand to God” at Left Edge Theatre in California. Here’s what the critics had to say:
“Robert Askins’ madly funny and irreverent play Hand to God gets a terrific airing with a strong cast at Left Edge Theatre, featuring a mind-blowing tour de force performance by Dean Linnard as the teen and his demonic alter-ego … [Linnard’s] expert handling of the puppet, the expressions he gets from that sock mouth, the way he converses with Tyrone, is all stunning, virtually impossible to think of man and puppet as one person. Brilliantly done, Linnard’s performance deserves some special award for a demonstration of weird puppetry.”
Jeanie K. Smith, Talkin’ Broadway
“Linnard’s performance is nothing short of brilliant. His uncanny ability to switch so convincingly between two diametrically opposed characters at lightning speed – all while effectively maneuvering his right-hand companion – makes it a little too easy to forgot Tyrone is really just a puppet.”
Nicole Singley, Aisle Seat Review
“Tyrone is the real star of this play, lashing out at accepted norms, and ruthlessly swearing his way past veiled lies, with button eyes glaring at his victims. It does not take long to accept him as a separate character, due to the talent of Dean Linnard, who is essentially portraying two people simultaneously – an irate puppet and nervous teenage boy enable to articulate his feelings.”
Alexa Chipman, Sonoma County Gazette
“Linnard, a trained puppeteer, really puts his skills to work here and his ability to play two distinct characters/forces simultaneously is a joy to watch.”
Harry Duke, North Bay Stage and Screen
And for a special bonus, click here to listen to a radio interview (featuring my great fellow actor Carl Kraines and yours truly) about “Hand to God”.
I am beyond excited to announce that I am currently in rehearsals for the play “Hand to God” at Left Edge Theatre in California. I am playing Jason / Tyrone in Robert Askins’ brilliant dark comedy. I am so pumped to get to chew on this delicious material, and for the opportunity to return to Left Edge where I played Liam in “Bad Jews” two years ago. Tickets for “Hand to God” are now on sale! Click here for tix and more information. We run October 19th – November 11th.
Greetings, Internet!
For the past 6 years I have had the immense good fortune to work at the Barrow Street Theatre, a wonderful Off-Broadway space in the West Village. Alas, due to us losing our lease, yesterday was the theater’s last day of operations.
I cannot accurately articulate how much the Barrow Street Theatre has meant to me. Under the inspired leadership of producers Scott Morfee and Tom Whirtshafter, many incredible plays have passed through our doors. I have had the privilege of working at Barrow Street during the runs of the American premiere of Nina Raine’s “Tribes”, the original production of Jonathan Tolins “Buyer and Cellar”, the extended commercial run of Annie Baker’s “The Flick”, the American premieres of “Every Brilliant Thing” and “The Effect”, as well as the immersive, pie-shop-set production of “Sweeney Todd”.
Barrow Street has been a home to me, its staff has been a family, and the multitude of visiting artists have been a continual source of inspiration. I shall miss the Barrow Street Theatre terribly, but I find solace in countless memories of good theater done well within those walls. Thanks to the whole Barrow Street gang for everything; it’s been a wonderful ride.
Good to see ya, Internet!
I just finished playing Petruchio in “The Taming of the Shrew” with Vermont Shakespeare Festival. Here are some reviews, and then some videos!
“Dean Linnard … proved a brilliant and imaginative comic actor, mixing outrageous braggadocio with a touch of the pathetic.”
Jim Lowe, Times Argus
“Dean Linnard, as Petruchio, carves ideas out of air and makes the words ring with dazzling clarity. He unlocks Shakespeare’s language with bold movement that is riveting in its economy. Whether landing a joke or stewing as the butt of one, Linnard lifts every scene with his energy. And his Petruchio is a master of manspreading.”
Alex Brown, Seven Days
In addition, click here for a wonderful video profile of our production featuring interviews with the cast and crew as well as some show footage.
Click here to see me perform the Wooing Scene on the Burlington, Vermont evening news!
And if you’re in the mood for something wacky, click here for a “Taming”-infused music video created with my brilliant friends and castmates Lauren Pisano and Nick Piacente.