A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet Isn’t Dead

/ Westbeth/

“In the Summer of 2016, Athens was a busy place!  The tangled knot of four young lovers threatened to unravel the difficult preparations of a royal wedding.  Elsewhere, a band of would-be actors planned to create the greatest show the world has ever seen.  They all descended into the forest, but little did they know that it wouldn't be only filled with mortal beings this night: the faerie king and queen had their own disputes to resolve!

In this production, Hamlet Isn’t Dead highlighted the lightness and musicality of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays.  Featuring harmonic renditions of classic and modern tunes and an immersive, playful style, this was one for the ages.” –description from the Hamlet Isn’t Dead website

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A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hampshire Shakespeare

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“Founded in 1989, Hampshire Shakespeare Company is a community of artists dedicated to presenting the works of Shakespeare and promoting theatre in general. Every summer our Shakespeare Under the Stars series offers performances by both our Mainstage company of adults and our Young Company of school-age actors, all at the UMass Center for Renaissance Studies in Amherst.”

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Romeo & Juliet, Alchemical Theatre Laboratory

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Romeo & Juliet
Presented in English
Alchemical Theatre Laboratory, New York City, New York, USA
June 27 – 30, 2016

Directed by Inge Crafford-Lazarus

The Cast:
Sam Finn Cutler
Thomas Hedlund
Felix Jones
Omri Kadim
Maggie McMeans
Julia Rehwald
Rebecca Thompson
Yannick Trapman-O'Brien

http://www.thealchemical.com/events-2/ioopuqby42/ROMEO-JULIET

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Medida por Medida, INBA

/ Del Bosque Cultural Centre/
Medida por Medida, INBA

The performance took place at the Cultural Centre del Bosque as a part of global programme of events and activities destined to celebrate William Shakespeare’s work on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death. The Mexican adaptation of Measure for Measure preserves the original Shakespearean plot, which brings to life a conflict both passionate and simple in nature, a story line with major consequences, one that exceeds the limits of intimacy and is transformed into a matter of power. 

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Romeo and Juliet, Wheelhouse

/ The Davenport Theatre/

“Wheelhouse set out to break with cliché in tackling Shakespeare’s most iconic love story, mining the polarities of comedy and tragedy, love and hate, through playful ensemble-driven work which lies at the heart of the Wheelhouse approach to theater. Recognizing that the latter half of the play mirrors the first, we set up a great height of comedic joy from which to fall into the depths of tragedy. A tragedy which proves to be the only possible antidote to breaking the cycle of conflict embedded in a divided status quo that feels eerily familiar to our current cultural climate.” –blurb from the Wheelhouse website.

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Shakespeare in Delaware Park

/ Delaware Park/

“Shakespeare in Delaware Park is a not-for-profit, professional theatre company dedicated to providing free, high-quality public theatre to the widest possible audience. Our goal is to enrich, inspire and entertain diverse audiences through performance and educational programming, with a focus on the works of William Shakespeare. We are committed to mentoring students and professionals, and offering adults and children opportunities to experience and appreciate live theatre.

Shakespeare in Delaware Park has been a Buffalo summer tradition since 1976. Our spectacular performances take place in a historic park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, father of landscape architecture. Behind the park’s rose garden stands our grand Tudor-Style stage on a sweeping hill of green. In this beautiful setting under the stars where Shakespeare’s stories live on to explore the truths of the human heart; tragedy, jealousy, foolishness, passion, laughter, and love.” –from the company website

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The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Moose Hall Theatre Company

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“With William Shakespeare’s 400 anniversary in mind, we’re featuring what many believe to be his earliest play—Two Gentlemen of Verona. See star-crossed lovers, cross-dressing, betrayal, intrigue, clowns, and a real dog! . . . Comedy with a pastiche of romance, melancholy, and a startling conclusion.” –blurb from the festival website

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Othello, The American Sephardi Federation

/ Center for Jewish History /

“Othello caps a 3-production series of Sephardic-infused works at the Center this winter and fall: previously productions included Merchant of Venice and the opera Nabucco.

In Othello - set in Venice, where Othello, a Moor and a venerated General, marries Desdemona, the daughter of a senator. After promoting young Cassio in the ranks, Othello's closest aide Iago becomes consumed by jealousy and plots to discredit Cassio and Desdemona, thus bringing Othello's life and career to a tragic end.” –description from Broadway World (link below, in “Selected Reviews and Media Coverage”

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Sweet Silent Thought, Jessica Lang Dance

/ The Joyce Theater/

“In honor of the 400th Anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, Jessica Lang Dance will present the NY premiere of Sweet Silent Thought, inspired by five of the Master's sonnets. The work features readings of Sonnets 30, 40, 64, 71 and 105.” –description from Broadway World (link below, in “Selected Reviews and Media Coverage”).

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The Winter's Tale, African American Shakespeare Company

/ Taube Atrium/

“The Winter’s Tale explores the unsteady, unsettling, poisonous realm of jealousy and distrust as a childhood friendship is irrevocably torn apart by a grievous misunderstanding.

King Leontes of Sicilia accuses his pregnant wife, Hermione, of infidelity with best friend and fellow King of neighboring Bohemia, Polixenes. His rage and misguided tyranny results in the plot to have the King of Bohemia killed, banish the newborn baby girl, imprison his innocent wife, and turn his stunned staff and nation against him. Directed by Artistic Director of AASC, L. Peter Callender, this study of love, jealousy, tyranny and ultimate forgiveness will bring all the complicated plot twists, memorable characters and one of Shakespeare’s most magical and romantic and unforgettable endings to life.” –blurb from the African American Shakespeare Company’s website

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Hamlet- sur le fil (Hamlet on the Wire)

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Hamlet- sur le fil (Hamlet on the Wire)

"« Etre ou ne pas être », plus qu’une question existentielle, le soliloque nous plonge dans la valse-hésitation de l’engagement de l’individu par rapport à soi-même et à sa société. Créé en juin à l’occasion du 400e de la mort de Shakespeare, cette performance explore les tensions et le dialogue possible entre la voix d’Hamlet modulée et manipulée par un fil de fériste et le mouvement même du corps et de la pensée cherchant une issue à l’impasse. Exploration ciblée de l’atelier de recherche en dramaturgie circassienne."

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Measure for Measure, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

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“With righteous zeal, Angelo makes an example of young Claudio, sentencing him to death. Can Claudio’s sister, the bold and virtuous Isabella, enkindle mercy in Angelo without sacrificing her own ideals? Measure for Measure deftly balances light and shadow, justice and mercy, wicked comedy and thrilling drama.” (Information from the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival website)

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The Winter's Tale, Oregon Shakespeare Festival 

/ Allen Elizabethan Theatre/

A season of sorrow ends in joy. King Leontes is blessed with a beautiful queen, a son and a baby daughter-to-be, but he loses them all when his mind becomes poisoned by jealousy. During the bleak spiritual winter that follows, faithful friends and a divine oracle slowly lead him back to sanity and a glorious reunion with those he lost. Director Desdemona Chiang will present The Winter’s Tale from an Asian and Asian-American perspective, setting it in dynastic China and America’s Old West.

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Macbeth, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

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“On a deserted heath, three witches convince a visionary general that he is destined to become King of Scotland. Spurred by their prophecy, Macbeth and his Lady slash a bloody path to power. In our production, “something wicked this way comes” as three brilliant actresses bring all of Macbeth’s 34 unforgettable characters to fierce new life. In this timeless tale of vaulting ambition and dark temptation, our three weyward sisters simultaneously embody and bear witness to unspeakable violence.” (Information from the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Site)

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The Tempest, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

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The Tempest
Presented in English
Carroll Park, New York City, New York, USA
June 8 – 26, 2016

Smith Street Stage
Director: Beth Ann Hopkins
Assistant Director: Beth Jastroch
Original Music Composition: Clara Strauch
Costume Design: Sherry Martinez
Percussion: Michael McQuilken & Oliver Palmer
Set & Prop Design: Alicia Dawn Bullen
Lighting Design: Adam Carpenter

Featuring Raquel Chavez, Shannon Condon, Kate Eastman, Shaun B. Fauntleroy*, John Hardin, Patrick Harvey, Brian Demar Jones, Joe Jung*, Peter Molesworth, Catherine Mullins, Kate Ross*, Sam Richardson, Andrew Ricci, Nora Rickey, Will Sarratt, Caroline Smith, JT Stocks and Corey Whelihan.

 *Courtesy of Actors Equity Association

For More Information:
http://www.smithstreetstage.org/tempest/

(site includes photos of the performance and also samples of original music composed and performed by Clara Strauch)