Free Outdoor Shakespeare returns to Lakewood

[Brian Pedaci]

Sorry for the duplication of the thread from the Arts and Entertainment forum, but it wasn't getting any visibility there...

The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival returns to Lakewood Park on July 27-28 at 7pm.

On Saturday, July 27, we present Measure for Measure, Shakespeare's dark comedy of sex, power and morality. The Duke of Vienna turns the reins of power over to his protégé Angelo to enforce long-neglected codes of moral conduct. When a novice nun comes to plead for the life of her condemned brother, Angelo’s shockingly hypocritical response is to make an ‘indecent proposal’ that leaves Isabella to choose between her brother’s life and her salvation. Isabella’s only ally is a friar, in reality the Duke in disguise, and he has a plan. CSF Artistic Director Tyson Douglas Rand sets the play in a Vienna reminiscent of New Orleans, with the competing strains of gospel and jazz music in the air.

On Sunday, July 28, it's Two Gentlemen of Verona. This is Shakespeare’s earliest comedy but includes many of the same elements we recognize from his later plays – cross-dressing disguises, madcap comic servants, witty banter and absurd love triangles. Young Proteus bids a tearful goodbye to Verona and his girlfriend Julia to join his lifelong friend Valentine in service of the Duke of Milan, where he immediately falls in love with Valentine’s beloved, Silvia. Julia dresses as a boy, travels to Milan and is employed as Proteus’ page, where she finds herself in the unenviable position of being the liaison between her boyfriend and his new girlfriend. Director Pandora Robertson adds a fairytale setting and a physical style reminiscent of Commedia dell’Arte.

BOTH PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 7PM AND ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC

Bring a chair or blanket if you like, or take advantage of the benches at the Lakewood Park bandstand.

More information is available at http://www.cleveshakes.org, email info@cleveshakes.org or just post your question here!

[Brian Pedaci]

I should add, for those who think that "Shakespeare" = "Four hour play", that each of these plays clock in at under 100 minutes in our version with no intermission.

[Brian Pedaci]

In case of rain, we'll perform inside the Women's Club Pavilion, but capacity is very limited (unless somebody's got the keys to a church hall or other venue they'd like to let us use!)

[Jim O'Bryan]

One more night left. Always enjoyable, check it out.







See you there!


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[Brian Pedaci]

We are so grateful to the over 400 people who stopped by tonight, and to the small but hearty band of Bardophiles who braved the shower. We're very sorry we were unable to complete the show for you tonight (spoiler alert - everyone marries the right person in the end). If you liked what you saw, but the rain drove you off, please consider a small donation to our virtual "donation bag": http://www.cleveshakes.com/?page_id=25

We'll see you again next summer, Lakewood!

[Betsy Voinovich]

We are so grateful to the over 400 people who stopped by tonight, and to the small but hearty band of Bardophiles who braved the shower. We're very sorry we were unable to complete the show for you tonight (spoiler alert - everyone marries the right person in the end). If you liked what you saw, but the rain drove you off, please consider a small donation to our virtual "donation bag": http://www.cleveshakes.com/?page_id=25

We'll see you again next summer, Lakewood!

Hi Brian---

Couldn't make it to either show in Lakewood this weekend, so we plan to go next weekend in Tremont. I figured I'd get on and post for Lakewoodites who wanted to donate in a non-virtual bag and see the end of last night's show.

Saturday, August 3 Measure for Measure Lincoln Park, Tremont
Sunday, August 4 Two Gentlemen of Verona Lincoln Park, Tremont

Both at 7 pm.

They are always fantastic. (Worth the long ride to Tremont.)

Betsy Voinovich