Shakespeare in the Park
As the area’s veteran producers of Shakespeare in the Park, Shakespeare Dallas has invited audiences to enjoy accessible productions in an open-air amphitheatre since 1971, reaching over 50,000 people every summer and fall.
The 2009 Shakespeare in the Park Series includes:
The Taming of the Shrew
Directed by Executive & Artistic Director Raphael ParryJune & July at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre
*The age-appropriateness of this show is similar to a PG13 movie rating.
The Merry Wives of Windsor,TX
Directed by Artistic Associate René MorenoJune & July at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre
*Please note there are no performances on June 23 and 24
Julius Caesar
September & October at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre and Addison Circle ParkLasso the laughs this summer!
Move over Clint Eastwood. Shakespeare Dallas is coming in to town with hay bales and whistling tunes (insert flashes of gunslinger faces cutting back and forth). This summer is promised to be an entertaining southern twist on two of Shakespeare’s well-loved comedies, The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Taming of the Shrew. In our versions this summer The Merry Wives of Windsor is getting the Texas treatment making it The Merry Wives of Windsor, TX and The Taming of the Shrew will be spaghetti western style. These two specific works explore a battle of the sexes in a hilarious setting with men and women at odds, but each ending in their own fun way that will be sure to entertain the audience the entire time at our park.
The Merry Wives of Windsor, TX is set to the backdrop of the year 1965 in Windsor, TX. In this delightful adaptation, Sir Falstaff is now Colonel Falstaff and all of his men are now local VFW’s. This has all of the forthcomings of a small town in Texas where hijinks are known by everybody and not even the cleverest of schemes can get past the witty women of this town. At the big community BBQ in the town square after the parade and the fireworks, Colonel Falstaff meets Mrs. Page and her neighbor, Mrs. Ford, both of whom manage the money of their households. Falstaff then decides to woo both women and charm them free of their money. But after he writes them a love letter (the exact same letter except for the name of the addressee) the two “merry wives” compare letters and decide to give Colonel John his comeuppance. Will love prevail in this hilarious romp on sexes and money?
The Taming of the Shrew is set as an 1850’s Western. In this hilarious tale of the battle of the sexes, Baptista Minola, a rich gentleman of Padua, has two daughters - Bianca and Katherine. Sharp-tongued and willful, Katherine seems to terrify men and no one wants to marry her, despite her fortune. Enter Petruchio, a headstrong, obdurate man. It’s love at first sight -- but can the two reconcile their wild natures and live happily ever after?
We invite you all out to our park this summer to witness fantastic performances with amazing scenery, costumes and Dallas’ best talent. Enjoy our productions in our outdoor, family-friendly setting. Bring your picnics and prepare to get the best value of entertainment you will find this summer. We look forward to seeing you under the stars at the park!
