This summer marks the 22nd season of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival delivering on their mission: To make Shakespeare’s works accessible to a diverse audience through free professional theater and educational programs. For 22 years, we’ve been moving into beautiful Southmoreland Park (known historically as Squirrel Park), and building a tent city and a stage to create a magical space in which to tell some of the most beautiful and beloved stories written in the English language. For those of you who aren’t familiar with our Festival, or for those who will relish a trip through our production history, here’s a “…taste of our quality.” Hamlet, Act II, sc. 2
This year the Festival will stage The Winter’s Tale, a true tragi-comedy; three acts of tragedy, two acts of comedy and a miraculous ending. A cast of 20 adults, six teenagers and 1 boy will bring the story to life nobly aided by LIVE musicians onstage (we haven’t had live music onstage in 15 years!). You may note that this story has some elements of a fairy tale in its telling. The story carries the audience from the honorable court of Sicilia in Italy, to the SHORES of Bohemia, a preposterous notion as Bohemia would be modern day Czechoslovakia, where you find no ocean shores. There is a baby who is left in the wilds and discovered by kindly caregivers. TIME itself becomes a character and speaks. And one man will [Exit, pursued by a bear.] Get ready for June 17 – July 6, Tuesday – Sunday AND Monday, June 30 performances at 8:00 p.m. NO SHOW July 4. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. nightly. Go to www.kcshakes.org for all the info on pre-show activities, dining options and information about parking, seating and all things FESTIVAL. See you in the park!
