A Beautiful Evening For Shakespeare

It’s a beautiful evening for Shakespeare!

And eight evenings of fabulous live music and professional Shakespeare in the Grove begin tonight at Middlesex Community College with ARTFARM’s Tenth Anniversary Production.

Shakespeare's Argument, ARTFARM's original Shakespeare in the Grove 2011 production, is turning out to be one of the most exciting shows that we have ever worked on. A breakneck ninety minute journey through the best of Shakespeare's comedies, histories and tragedies driven by four fabulous actors -- Marcella Trowbridge, Annie DiMartino, Ken O'Brien and Jesse Gabbard. Dazzling kinetic set by David Schulz and a veritable costume parade created by designer Christian Milik. All supported by a powerful musical score performed live by the ARTFARM Orchestra under the baton of Joseph Getter. The production is directed by ARTFARM Artistic Director Marcella Trowbridge.

This will be like nothing you have ever seen.

Eighty percent Shakespeare, twenty percent Argument as a Producer, a Professor, an Actor and a Groundling debate what makes Shakespeare so great. Along the way new light is shed on A Midsummer Night's Dream, Henry V, Romeo & Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, Measure for Measure, Macbeth and much more. Some of you may even get the chance to be onstage performing in Julius Caesar, and the play culminates in a riveting swordfight between Hamlet and Laertes created by our combat master David Chandler.

And it all starts TODAY!! So plan your picnic, invite your friends and make your way to the Grove early and often. Shakespeare's Argument starts at 7 pm sharp on July 14 - 17 and 21 - 24 in the Grove at Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Road, Middletown. Admission is pay if you can, with a $20 suggested donation. There is an indoor location in case of rain. And the pre-show music starts every night at 6 pm.

Opening the impressive roster of musical acts for 2011 is Sirius Coyote, a well-known local trio which offers a unique take on original and traditional music of the Americas with a strong environmental message. Arrive by 6 to secure a good spot for your blanket or lawn chair and miss neither a note nor a word.

Here is the schedule of musicians for the two week run (more details on individual musicians at www.art-farm.org):

July 14: Sirius Coyote
July 15: Phil Rosenthal
July 16: Chuck Costa
July 17: Lorena Garay
July 21: They Might Be Gypsies
July 22: Nancy Tucker
July 23: The BC3
July 24: Tom Callinan

And every evening (as long as it lasts) we will be selling ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery.

This production is co-sponsored by the Humanities and Arts Division at Middlesex Community College (clearly one of the most enlightened Community Colleges in the State), and is supported by the Middletown Commission on the Arts, Pratt & Whitney, the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, our Shakespeare Slam participants and sponsors, and by the generosity of our individual donors and donations from audience members. ARTFARM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which cultivates high-quality theater with a commitment to simple living, environmental sustainability and social justice.

And 2011 is ARTFARM's TENTH BIRTHDAY, so come join us in the Grove for Shakespeare's Argument!

Questions? Call (860) 346-4390 or email info@art-farm.org. Website: www.art-farm.org.

Rehearsal photo above shows Marcella Trowbridge and Jess Gabbard as Hamlet and Laertes. Photo by Ben Jordan.