As the Long Beach Shakespeare Company prepares for its 2007-08 season at the Richard Goad Theatre in Bixby Knolls, it plans to offer up “gunsels, shepherds, fairies and goddesses in the best classic tradition of great theatre.”
The season kicks off Sept. 21 with their production of The Maltese Falcon, Dashiell Hammett’s classic thriller. The world premiere stage adaptation by Helen Borgers, in association with the Hammett Family, brings Sam Spade, “The Fatman,” Brigid and Joel Cairo to dangerous life. The production will run until Nov. 3.
The Wakefield Second Shepherds’ Play is a 14th century Christmas pageant written by the man known only as “The Wakefield Master.” The production includes both original and classic holiday music. And in February, the company will begin A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s most popular comedy. The production will feature original music, dance and spectacle in a magical forest filled with love and laughter.
The Long Beach Shakespeare Company will then conclude their season with The Bacchae, which will run May 9 to June 14, 2008. An ancient Greek tragedy by Euripides, with original music and dance, the company promises audience members a powerful display of emotion and force, wild and violent, compelling and frightening. This production features adult content and is not recommended for children.
The Richard Goad Theatre is located at 4250 Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach. Shows are held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15, student tickets are $10, and Thursdays are two-for-one. Due to limited seating, reservations are recommended and RSVPs are appreciated.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call (562) 997-1494 or go online to www.lbshakespeare.org.
