“We are tougher (Brother) / Than you can put us to’t” (The Winter’s Tale).

There’s no more apt line to describe the resilience of the Adirondack Shakespeare Company this week.

On Thursday evening shortly after arriving from New York City to take part in ADK Shakespeare’s Autumn Season, a car with five actors from the company was involved in a head-on collision on Route 28 near Johnsburg. Sam Bruce, Mia Canter, Kathleen O’Neal, and Patrick Siler were treated at Glens Falls Hospital and released early Friday morning. Sean Lounsbury, who last appeared with ADK Shakespeare this summer as Friar Lawrence in Romeo & Juliet and best beloved for his performance of Goliath in 2014, was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where he continues to receive treatment. Although Sean will not be able to participate in the season this Autumn, he is fortunately expected to make a full recovery, and ADK Shakespeare is looking forward to seeing Sean back on stage next season.

After taking the weekend to care for each other, the group has decided to continue with the Season. Rehearsals for Hamlet and The Winter’s Tale began Monday, with an opening of The Winter’s Tale now planned for Saturday at The Bullhouse Restaurant in Chestertown. Hamlet will open Sunday afternoon at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs.

Sara Fay George, who plays Hermione in The Winter’s Tale and the Ghost in Hamlet, shares a little about the group’s outlook moving forward.

“We feel very fortunate to be able to continue sharing these stories. The titles are so poignant and really speak to what we are going through,” George says. “Sean was so eager to continue the work, and this is a way of honoring him to move forward and find a way together to tell the stories and heal through the process together. It’s what Sean wants, so a lot of our love for him is re-informing the work.”

About the Autumn Season

For the full season schedule with performances touring to Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, North Creek, Plattsburgh, and Old Forge visit www.adkshakes.org or email the company at info@adkshakes.org. Up-to-date schedule changes will be posted on the company’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/adkshakes. Tickets are available through presenting venues, or on adkshakes.ticketleap.com.

Related articles

• ADK Shakespeare is Nourishing Body, Mind and Soul this Autumn (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Adirondack Shakespeare Company’s Five Year Anniversary Season is About to Begin (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)