In keeping with its 10-year tradition of bringing free Shakespeare performances to parks throughout Los Angeles, the South Bay and Orange County, Shakespeare by the Sea (SBTS) gears up for its 11th season, offering two of Shakespeare’s most provocative plays: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Antony and Cleopatra.”
Hot on the heels of 2007’s record-setting attendance of 21,000 audience members in 15 locations, SBTS sets its goal high for this year and hopes to reach more than 25,000 people in 2008.
“The audience members are what give us the inspiration to continue year after year,” said Lisa Coffi, producing artistic director for SBTS. “On any given evening our audience runs the gamut from Shakespeare aficionados to people who’ve never seen a theatrical performance before, let alone a Shakespearean one. It’s a privilege for us to expose so many people to Shakespeare’s fabulous stories. We hope audiences continue to grow and benefit from these free quality productions.”
Both “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Antony and Cleopatra” will be directed by acclaimed returning SBTS director David Graham. Graham previously directed Romeo and Juliet in 2003 and “The Merchant of Venice” in 2007 and is excitedly preparing for the challenge of taking on two shows. “SBTS is a top-notch organization with seamless producing,” Graham said. “They make my job easy.”
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opens June 12, and “Antony and Cleopatra” will follow with their opening June 19. Both shows will run in repertory for five weeks at Point Fermin Park located at 807 Paseo del Mar in San Pedro every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. until July 12.
SBTS will then begin its tour from July 15 to August 9, performing in Rancho Palos Verdes, Irvine, Lomita, South Pasadena, Manhattan Beach, Glendale, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Lawndale, Carson, Hermosa Beach, Laguna Niguel and Newport Beach. SBTS returns to Point Fermin Park for its grand finale performances on Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9 at 8 p.m.
For additional information about SBTS including a schedule of performances, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.shakespearebythesea.org” www.shakespearebythesea.org.
