Shakespeare in the Park March 7

By submitted, 02/17/20 9:22 AM

WASHINGTON -Enjoy an evening performance by the American Shakespeare Center 2019/20 Mortal Fools Tour at Historic Washington State Park. Performance begin at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-show performance at 7 p.m. in the 1940 WPA Gym. Doors open at 7 p.m. On Saturday, March 7, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed.

ASC’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream wades into a bayou of masked hobgoblins, enchanting nymphs, and imps who sing the blues. Featuring the oblivious Bottom, plucky Helena, and mischievous Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream boasts some of Shakespeare’s most beloved and iconic characters.

“Fans nationwide will love what we’ve done with this play,” says director Nathan Winkelstein, “ASC on Tour gives us the incredible opportunity to present this beloved Shakespeare classic with our own supernatural New Orleans twist.” Original music in this production, drawing inspiration from bluegrass to bebop to barbershop sets the scene of the magical bayou. ASC’s actor-musicians play live music before the show and during intermission, covering modern classics that riff on the themes of Shakespeare’s play.

Since 1988, the American Shakespeare Center has toured the country with shows incorporating Shakespeare’s staging conditions. Based out of Staunton, VA, the company mission is to recover the joys and accessibility of Shakespeare’s theatre, language, and humanity by exploring the English Renaissance stage and its practices through performance and education. The organization can be found online at www.americanshakespearecenter.com.

Four afternoon workshops on Saturday, March 7, led by the American Shakespeare Troupe, will be provided covering topics of how to perform Shakespeare on the modern stage. They are: Shakespeare & Word Play @ 11 a.m.; Shakespeare & Editions @ 1 p.m.; Playing Multiple Roles in Shakespeare @ 2:30 p.m.; and Stage Cues in Shakespeare @ 4 p.m. Workshop admission is $5 per person for ages 14 and older.

On Friday, March 6, Cymbeline (Imogen) will be performed. On Saturday, March 7, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed. Tickets for the performances are $10 adult and $5 for children ages 6-12. Call 870-983-2684 to reserve tickets. Tickets may be picked up at the 1874 Courthouse Visitor Center. Event doors open at 7 p.m. Williams Tavern Restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. till 7 p.m. before the performance begins.

Historic Washington State Park, a restoration village preserving one of Arkansas’ most prominent 19^th century towns, is located on US 278 nine miles north of Hope and can be reached by taking Exit 30 off Interstate 30. For more information visit www.HistoricWashingtonStatePark.com or call (870) 983-2684.