http://www.playbill.com/news/article/108994.html As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not exactly thrilled that my local free Shakespeare in the Park is doing Midsummer, a play that I’ve seen almost as many times as I’ve seen Hamlet. Don’t get me wrong, all Shakespeare is good Shakespeare, and “free Shakespeare in the park” might darned well be 5 of the most beautiful words in the English language. But come on, the man wrote a good 38 plays or more, why do we have to keep doing the same ones over and over again? How about a nice Anthony and Cleopatra? Never actually seen that one live, and it’s one of the “big ones”. Anyway, the linked Playbill article shows all the casting information, in case anybody is up on their local theatre talent and recognizes any names.
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company generally does very good work. Though I admit not being excited by their Hamlet of two years ago, last year’s Taming of the Shrew was well done and wel received, despite its difficulty for modern audiences, and their Macbeth and Henry V were top notch.
I’ve seen a number of the actors in recent prouctions, and its certainly a fine cast– the question is whether they form a company in the course of the run.
So would have no misgivings about going.
Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m going. I’ll probably be there the first night. I’m just lamenting the fact that Midsummer is the most commonly performed play of them all, and I was hoping they might do something that I can’t see at any random high school any other time of the year.
The season has been shortened to but a week.
http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2007/03/02/shakespeare_on_the_common_shortens_its_season/