by John Russell, Managing Director
The 38th free outdoor season of The Montford Park Players opened Friday, June 4, as The Asheville Shakesperience took the stage to begin a brand-new production of the best of Shakespeare. The resident repertory company, directed by Scott Keel, presents a fresh approach to some of Shakespeare’s classic scenes and is sure to be an audience favorite.
The Asheville Shakesperience performs Friday through Sunday, June 4 through 13, and will return throughout the summer in July and August. Craft III, an advanced acting class taught and directed by Michael MacCauley, presented an abridged version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a Greenshow at 6:15 p.m. prior to the 7:30 p.m. Shakesperience curtain on opening weekend. The Class Act Players, a home-school theatre troupe from Madison County, directed by Mandy Phillips, will open our “Shakes” weekend July 16-18.
June 18 brings the opening of King Lear, Shakespeare’s epic tragedy of paternal pride, madness, and filial ingratitude. A stellar cast directed by Dr. Robert A. White brings this great tragedy to life. King Lear will play Friday through Sunday, June 18 through July 11. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
A word about the tremendous value of what you’ll see: For 37 years the Montford Park Players have produced some of the best quality theatre available anywhere . . . and we’ve done it for free. Our recent productions have received rave reviews, and last year’s Midsummer Night’s Dream was voted Best Play of 2009 by the readers of Mountain Xpress. Comparable productions of Shakespeare anywhere else always command premium ticket prices. In Asheville, theatre ticket prices currently range from $12 to $26 or even higher. So you’re getting a great deal for your donation! We ask that, if you can afford it, you consider donating at least $5 per person when our actors come through the audience with hat in hand and witty couplets on their lips.
I’d like to share a compliment from Dr. Deanne Collins, a member of the Institute of Outdoor Drama and a guest at the final performance of our 2009 outdoor season. As Dr. Collins wrote in a Tennessee newspaper, “Like me, you will walk away in the dark, in the grass, with a feeling that you have experienced something rare and wonderful.”
We look forward to welcoming you to the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre this summer.
