The Bless the Mark Players is the oldest full-time professional acting troupe of any Renaissance Festival, and the inspiration behind many interactive entertainment groups in major theme parks across the country.
Some of the scheduled shows of the BTM are listed here… the rest are unannounced events that happen all day throughout the Village of Warwick, so you’ll just have to keep an eye out.
MUDBEGGARS... These muddy beggars perform their hilarious mud classics from within the depths of the town mud pit. The Bless the Mark Players.
WASHER WENCHES… Love, lye, and laundry at the town wash pit! Washer wenches teach men how to treat their ladies as they air their dirty laundry. Be sure to arrive clean, or you may get washed! The Bless the Mark Players.
PIRATE REVELS… Marauding corsairs gather to drink and sing their favorite sea shanties. Aaarg! The Bless the Mark Players.
ROGUES’ REVELS… Rogues, vagabonds and n’er-do-wells halt their pillaging to tip a few ales, sing and carouse. The Bless the Mark Players.
WENCH AUCTION… Villains are selling… people!! Don’t stand too close or you may find yourself up on the auction block displaying your assets. This is a bawdy show were wenches and blokes share equal time on the block. Creative bids welcome! The Bless the Mark Players.
Public Execution… Watch as the Sheriff of Warwick and his constabulary attempt to rid the shire of wrongdoers. Beware lest you or your loved one be put in his jail forever, or at least until you find a suitable bribe. The Bless the Mark Players.
COMMEDIA DEL’ARTE… In the tradition of the “Italian Comedy” a fast paced farce reveals the story of a mean old miser, Pantalone, who tries to thwart the marriage plans of his daughter Flaminia and her love Flavio. The Bless the Mark Players.
PIRATE SHOW… A motley band of Buccaneers claim the Trial & Dunk Stage as their own and proceed to exact piratical justice on the hapless townsfolk. Swordplay, swashbuckle, and walking the plank! The Bless the Mark Players.
TRIAL & DUNKE… The Sheriff and constable mete out justice in the briny depths of the Frogge Pond. The accused are placed in the dunking chair to be dunked at the Sheriff’s pleasure. Is he fair or foul? You be the judge. The Bless the Mark Players.
Living Chess Match… The life-size chess pieces are… alive! Join the board as royalty use human chess pieces to wage battle. Pieces are taken only after a special “combat” is won. The Bless the Mark Players.
Shakespeare… The bard presents “The Tempest”, and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” cuttings of these plays presented for festival audiences; fast, physical, and fun. The Bless the Mark Players.
…ALL NEW AND UNANNOUNCED LANE SHOWS TO BE FEATURED THIS SEASON!
HERE IS OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS FOR 2009
THE BLESS THE MARK PLAYERS
QUEEN ELIZABETH’S COURT
Queen Elizabeth Maria Wechsler
Sir Walter Raleigh Tyson Savoretti
Spanish Ambassador Christopher Buehlman
Lady Mary Sidney Kelly Stallard
Lady in Waiting Lauren Lindsey
THE VILLAGERS OF WARWICK
Master of Revels Frank Cardillo
Sheriff John Michael Decker
Constable Jason Purdy
Executioner Joseph Regan
Sheriff’s Daughter Tarin Bonvino
Landsknechts Richard Goodrich, Joseph Petrolawicz
Architect Matt Harvey
Carpenter Aundre Seals
Mason Jake Ottosen
Town Crier Brian Pringle
Town Maids Laura Riley, Nora Munde Gustuson
Poet Paul Herbig
Painter Nik Magill
Astrologer Jason Manning
Alchemist Collin Sullivan
Seamstresses Faith Hillestad, Rebecca Holtz
Farmer’s Daughter Gretchen Thomas
Shepherdess Shen Beckwith
Apothecary Lindsey Shoap
Apothecary’s Assistant Kristie Wortman
Merry Widow Michelyn Bailey-Florko
Widow’s Servant Marianne Natoli
Washer Wenches Marian Brock, Erin Callahan
THE VAGABONDS OF WARWICK
Pirate Captain Charles F. Murray
Pirate Brian McCann
Piratess Lindsay Weiler
Falstaff Anthony Lopez
Tavern Wenches Lolly Foy, Donna Morris
Cony Catcher Andrew Sklar
Thief Ian Cook
Doxy Nicole Skelly
Gypsy Amanda LaPergola
Grave Digger Geoff Hopkins
Mud Beggars Jamie Hicks, Galen Velonis, William Dougherty