The Observation Deck

The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, for the first time in its 14-year history, brings free, outdoor Shakespeare to the Lakewood Park bandshell on Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 at 7pm.

On Saturday night, CSF will perform Othello, Shakespeare's classic tale of ambition, betrayal, jealousy and love. Click for a review of this production.

On Sunday night, we'll present Love's Labour's Lost. This is not the play you're expecting to see! A very unique re-telling of the Bard's classic romantic comedy, this radically abridged and gender reversed adaptation is not for the purist - but not to be missed.

Use the benches at the park or bring your own chairs and/or blankets (as the benches may fill up quickly).

Both shows will continue in repertory on Saturdays and Sundays at various outdoor locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

For more information, visit http://www.cleveshakes.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter

Added Attraction/Disclaimer: I am playing Iago in Othello...

Very cool, I'll definitely try to attend if I can!

Excellent. Love Shakespeare. Love outdoor theater.

*bump* to remind folks that this is coming up this weekend.

Maybe you should bump it right into General Discussions. That section gets far and away the most attention. I think some people who could be interested in this event may miss this announcement.

I always read the Deck via the 'new posts' or 'unread posts' button, so I just assume everyone does it that way.

Unless I know I'm going to write something, which is pretty rare, I don't even log in. Therefore I don't even see those buttons you mention. If you check out page views, the General Discussion area is by far the most visited.

In any event, I'll be at the park to catch some Shakespeare. Good luck.

Today!

You guys really did an amazing job tonight!

Excellent.

Happy Sunday---

One of the clearest and most moving performances of Othello I've ever seen last night, made all the more amazing because my son was seeing it for the first time. Had a great conversation afterward about what the play was about. Then the players jumped into the audience and started walking around, it was a perfect, beautiful night.

And tonight "Love's Labour's Lost" will be presented, again at 7PM on the bandstand. This one is a comedy, which will be a little bit of a relief after last night's. But last night was something we will never forget...

Come to the free Shakespeare show tonight. How great that it is here. Highlight of the summer so far.

Enjoy some pretty bad pictures.

Betsy Voinovich



We were ready for most of the people to die at the end. My son's had a lot of Shakespeare in school.



Iago, Othello, Desdemona. All fantastic in their roles.

This was fantastic! I can't wait until tonight's performance.

We were told last night that it took about 3 years to finally get the festival to Lakewood Park. I think this is just wonderful for our city. I wonder if Beck would consider doing outdoor theatre at the park in the future.

One of Lakewood's own on stage, Hannah Stofan, last evening as
Desdemona. Hannah was a Beck Center kid and has always been radiant
on stage. Wonderful evening in Lakewood!

Thanks you guys, it was great to play to a "hometown crowd". Hope we can keep Lakewood on the circuit and keep bringing free theater to the park for years to come!