In addition to Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine, Arthur Miller's All My Sons, Stoppard's The Real Thing and Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, ASF has Taylor's The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove, in January 2005. Taylor adapted Crowns for the stage and is also known for Broadway's recent Drowning Crow, inspired by Chekhov's The Seagull. Part of ASF's Southern Writers' Project, The Dreams of Sarah Breedlove, on the Festival Stage Jan. 23-Feb. 13, 2005, is billed this way: "Follow the career of this African-American washerwoman who becomes Madam C.J. Walker, America's first female millionaire, as she builds her line of black hair-care products into an empire and discovers how wealth and influence affect personal happiness. An enlightening tale of talent, determination – and how to profit from life."

The season also includes the musical revue, Always...Patsy Cline; A Christmas Carol, adapted by Richard Hellesen; and Shakespeare's As You Like It, The Taming of the Shrew, Coriolanus and student production of A Winter's Tale.

Family audiences can expect a Carol Delk Thompson Children's Theatre production of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes, adapted by Kevin Kling in January 2005.

Single tickets go on sale approximately six to eight weeks prior to the first performance of any show. For more information, call the ASF box office toll free at (800) 841-4273 or (334) 271-5353.

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The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is among the largest Shakespeare theatres in the world. Designated as The State Theatre of Alabama, ASF has been located in Montgomery since 1985 when it moved from Anniston as a result of Mr. and Mrs. Wynton M. Blount's gift of a performing arts complex set in the 250-acre Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park.