Macbeth at Wyuka!

“Something wicked this way comes” to the Stables at Wyuka. The Flatwater Shakespeare Company presents William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth under the direction of Founding Artistic Director Bob Hall. Performances will be in the open-air Swan Theatre, 3600 O Street in Lincoln, September 26-29, October 3-6, and October 10-13. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Visit flatwatershakespearecompany.org for tickets and further information.

What are people capable of doing when they pursue the dream of absolute power? Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enjoy one of Scotland's premier marriages. He is an honored lord and feared warrior. She is an intelligent, ambitious noblewoman. After Macbeth wins a battle on behalf of King Duncan, three witches tell Macbeth that he is destined to be king. Lady Macbeth urges him to make the prophecy come true, even if it means murder. Their plan succeeds, but as Macbeth tries to secure his place on the throne, he orders the deaths of friends, presumed enemies, and their families. His tyranny inspires a rebellion, and he seeks reassurance from the witches. As he and Lady Macbeth drift apart, she is consumed by the guilt he suppresses.

Director Bob Hall and Associate Director Emily Ernst have assembled a powerful cast for the production. Macbeth is played by Matthew Lukasiewicz, who was electric in the lead role of Flatwater Shakespeare's 2015 staging of Hamlet. Lady Macbeth is played by Summer Lukasiewicz, the company's Executive Director, who appeared in the 2017 production of The Weir. Keith Ghormley appears as King Duncan, with Scott Shomaker as his heir, Malcolm. Thomas Hinshaw plays Macduff, who becomes Macbeth's chief adversary, and Emily Ernst appears as Lady Macduff. Clay Stevens is Banquo, the friend that Macbeth betrays. Meghan Arenz, Cecilia Burkhart, and Paula Ray are the witches whose prophecies lead to Macbeth's doom. Other performers include Flatwater Shakespeare veterans Matthew Bejjani, Stephen Buhler, Luke Glassman, Reed Westerhoff, and Jean-Paul Zuhur. Joining the company for this show are Alexandria Hamilton and Zach Stevens.

Kat Cover is costume designer and properties master. Anthony Slattery is scenic designer and technical director. Kellen Voss is sound designer. John Marinovich is fight choreographer. Stephen Buhler is dramaturg. Michelle Zinke and Katie Hoppe are stage managers. Linda Zinke is box office manager.

The performance on Friday, October 11, will be interpreted in American Sign Language. There will also be a special preview night on Wednesday, September 25. “MacB's Bloody Mary Bar,” catered by The Mill, features Bloody Marys and other show-suitable drinks such as Scotch whiskies and Scotch ales, a sneak peek at FSC's 2020 season, and a performance of the play. For details and to purchase tickets for this event, visit flatwatershakespearecompany.com.

Flatwater Shakespeare is a not-for-profit theatre company, dedicated to the principle that Shakespeare Is For Everyone. Along with providing innovative educational programs, the Company brings audiences the richness of the works of William Shakespeare as they were meant to be experienced – played out by a dynamic ensemble of performers on stage.

FAQ for *The Two Gentlemen of Verona* in Lincoln Parks

Flatwater FREE Shakespeare Frequently Asked Questions

Summer Tour 2019–The Two Gentlemen of Verona

What Is Your Inclement Weather Policy?

It is our desire to complete every performance, and we will make every effort to start, continue, and finish each show through light rainfall or breezy conditions.

If the weather deteriorates suddenly, however, we may delay the start of the show, or the completion of the show, in the hope that things clear. Announcements will be made informing audience members of such "holds." We may also pause to take precautions to ensure the safety and health of the performers and crew (such as drying off the rubber mats that serve as our stage).

If heavier rains are predicted, shows will be moved to an indoor location. To find out if a show is taking place at an alternate venue, please check our Facebook page.

The inclement weather location for Thursday (Belmont Park) and Saturday (Cooper Park) is Turbine Flats, 2124 Y Street.

The inclement weather location for Friday (Trago Park) and Sunday (Havelock Park) is the Haymarket Theatre, 803 Q Street.

Do I Need a Reservation?

No reservations are needed. However, audience members are strongly encouraged to arrive 30 minutes before the performance time (7 p.m.) in order to have good seats or places. This is particularly true if you plan on using a blanket, as space is limited. This is also true if you want to enjoy some free Ivanna Cone ice cream, which will be served before the show.

Is There a Cost to Attend?

No! Flatwater Shakespeare Company offers the summer touring production FREE of charge. A $10 donation for each adult is recommended for those who can afford it, but everyone is welcome regardless of whether or not you can make a contribution.

Good Will Donations in all amounts are greatly appreciated as we continue our tradition of producing Good Will Shakespeare productions.

When Do Shows Start and How Long Do They Run?

Performances begin at 7:00 p.m. and run 75 minutes, without intermission.

Is the Show “Family Friendly?”

An informal park setting is perfect for families to try a taste of the Bard's wonderful characters, exciting action, and brilliant language. This lively and engaging production features music and dance, along with an actor portraying Crab, a dog. Previous audiences have included everyone from babies to people in their 80s, people of wide-ranging backgrounds, people with disabilities, and even some pets.  

You Mean Pets Are Allowed?

Furry family members are welcome to attend a performance with you! We request that dogs be kept on a leash. Pet owners must clean up after their critters.

Are the Locations Accessible?

All park locations should be accessible for most mobility considerations; however, there may be uneven ground in some areas and limited parking options.

If you have a specific need, please contact Flatwater Shakespeare Company at 402-319-2895. We will do our best to accommodate you.

Are Restroom Facilities Available?

Yes! All locations will have either restrooms or port-a-potties.

Do I Need to Bring My Own Chair or Blanket?

A limited number of chairs will be available. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for the performances.

May I Bring Food and Beverages?

Audience members are welcome to bring in snacks, even a picnic supper, for you and your family. In all cases, we ask that trash items are disposed of after the show so that we leave the performance locations in good condition.

Please note that alcoholic beverages cannot be brought to any of the park locations.

Will Concessions Be Available?

Again, there will be FREE ICE CREAM before the show! Ivanna Cone is again creating a new ice cream flavor exclusively for our summer touring production.

What Are the Dates, Times, and Locations?

June 20, 7 p.m., Belmont Park, N. 12^th and Judson Streets, Lincoln

June 21, 7 p.m., Trago Park, N. 22^nd and U Streets, Lincoln

June 22, 7 p.m., Cooper Park, S. 8^th and D Streets, Lincoln

June 23, 7 p.m., Havelock Park, N. 63^rd and Ballard Streets, Lincoln

Photo: Luke Glassman as Valentine and Maria Rutledge as Sylvia in Flatwater Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Photo Credit: John Nollendorfs. 

*The Two Gentlemen of Verona* Opens!

It's here! It's Opening Night! It's Summertime Shakespeare!

It's Flatwater Shakespeare's *The Two Gentlemen of Verona*!

Tickets available at flatwatershakespearecompany.org/tickets

June 6-9 & 13-16, 7 p.m. @ The Swan Theatre in The Stables at Wyuka -- 3600 O Street, Lincoln

Final Weekend is Flatwater FREE Shakespeare (all shows 7 p.m.):

June 20 @ Belmont Park -- 12th & Judson
June 21 @ Trago Park -- 22nd & U
June 22 @ Cooper Park -- 8th & D
June 23 @ Havelock Park -- 63rd & Ballard

May 30 Is Give to Lincoln Day 2019!

50 Hours and Counting Down! Give to Lincoln Day 2019 wraps up at midnight Thursday. You can donate now online or visit us at Tower Square (13th and P Streets) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday. Follow the link to see the kinds of programs and productions Flatwater Shakespeare brings to our community (you can also make a contribution there, too).

https://www.givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/flatwater-shakespeare-company

Glenda Jackson, Learning as Lear

Another great conversation from the Folger's Shakespeare Unlimited podcast series.

Highlights include the impact of working with director Peter Brook and of years in public service as a Member of Parliament.

Fun fact (not in the podcast): appearing as both Cordelia and the Fool in the current production of King Lear starring Glenda Jackson is Ruth Wilson, perhaps best known as Alice in Luther (and she's back for Season 4). 

https://www.folger.edu/shakespeare-unlimited/glenda-jackson

*The Two Gentlemen of Verona* -- At the Swan and on Tour!

A beloved Lincoln tradition of theater under the stars continues this summer as Flatwater Shakespeare Company presents The Two Gentlemen of Verona in the Swan Theatre at the Stables at Wyuka, 3600 O Street in Lincoln, for two weekends, and then on its annual Flatwater FREE Shakespeare tour of area parks. The 75-minute show, without an intermission, is ideal for the entire family and runs Thursdays through Sundays, June 6-9, June 13-16, and June 20-23. All show times are 7:00 p.m. Visit flatwatershakespearecompany.org for tickets at the Swan and for further information.

Director Patsy Koch Johns and Choreographer Vijay Olander have brought one of Shakespeare's earliest comedies into the 1990s, complete with popping and locking to hip-hop grooves. This production compresses the play's running time while retaining its humor, drama, and honest looks at how even idealistic forms of love have their shadow sides.

In the classic movie Shakespeare in Love, Philip Henslowe describes this play as “love and a bit with a dog,” but much more is going on. Maybe friendship is selfless while love can be selfish. So it would seem when Proteus is obsessed with his new love for Silvia. He abandons his former beloved, Julia, and makes sure that his friend Valentine, also in love with Silvia, is banished. Along the way, Julia assumes male disguise in order to follow Proteus, thus witnessing his crimes firsthand. Somehow all of this ends well, thanks to devoted hearts and the help of a foolish rival, two clowns, several outlaws, and a dog named Crab.

The production features Scott Shomaker and Luke Glassman as Proteus and Valentine, the Two Gentlemen of the title. Emily Ernst appears as Julia and Maria Rutledge as Silvia. Other performers include Flatwater Shakespeare veterans Katie Hoppe, Aden Marshall, Paul Shaw, and Reed Westerhoff. Joining the company for this show are Mark Ballard, Thomas Hinshaw, Jessica Johnson, Raimy O. Washington, and Jean-Paul Zuhur.

Kat Cover is costume designer and properties master. Lily Lundine is scenic designer and Kellen Voss sound designer. Reed Westerhoff is fight choreographer. The script adaptation is by Emily Ernst and Patsy Koch Johns. The music adaptation for “Who is Silvia?” is by James Oliva. Julie Doerr is dramaturg and Kathy Marshall assistant director. Sara Broad is stage manager. Michelle Zinke is tour manager and assistant stage manager. Katie Hoppe is assistant tour manager.

Ivanna Cone will once again provide free ice cream during the final weekend's tour of city parks, with a flavor inspired by the play. Also once again, Flatwater FREE Shakespeare is made possible by a grant from the Cooper Foundation.

Flatwater Shakespeare is a not-for-profit theatre company, dedicated to the principle that Shakespeare Is For Everyone. Along with providing innovative educational programs, the Company brings audiences the richness of the works of William Shakespeare as they were meant to be experienced – played out by a dynamic ensemble of performers on stage.

DATES, TIMES, VENUES

June 6-9, 7 p.m., Swan Theatre, The Stables at Wyuka, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln

June 13-16, 7 p.m., Swan Theatre, The Stables at Wyuka, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln

June 20, 7 p.m., Belmont Park, N. 12^th and Judson Streets, Lincoln

June 21, 7 p.m., Trago Park, N. 22^nd and U Streets, Lincoln

June 22, 7 p.m., Cooper Park, S. 8^th and D Streets, Lincoln

June 23, 7 p.m., Havelock Park, N. 63^rd and Ballard Streets, Lincoln

Spoofing the Bard with "Complete Works (Abridged)"!

The Flatwater Shakespeare Company's 2019 season begins with an irreverent, fast-paced romp through all of the Bard’s plays in just one night. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, pays tribute to Shakespeare and also makes affectionate fun at his (and our) expense.

Join the madcap antics of actors Nick Howard, Paul Schack, and Matthew A. Works as they weave their wickedly funny way through Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies. There will be plenty of interaction between the actors and audience members, too. This is one wild ride that will leave you helpless with laughter. If you love Shakespeare, you’re sure to like this production. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll probably love this production!

“The Complete Works” will be performed at a new venue for FSC, The Mill Coffee and Bistro at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Drive, Lincoln. Performances are Thursdays through Sundays, March 14-17 and March 21-24. Showtime is 7 p.m. and tickets are $18.

“This is going to be an epic show,” says director Paul Durban. “I am thrilled and honored to be working with such a talented cast. If you've ever wondered what it would be like if Titus Andronicus hosted a TV cooking show, then you've got the right spirit for this script – and you'll get an answer to that question.”

FSC Executive Director Summer Lukasiewicz is excited about the season opener. “We have new venues, new collaborations, and directors who are new to Flatwater in 2019,” Lukasiewicz says. “This is an exciting season of growth as we continue to broaden our reach and strive to make Shakespeare for Everyone.”

FSC season tickets are still available for 2019, offering a 10% discount from full ticket prices. $52 purchases three admissions, one for each production – just let the box office know ahead of time which performances you'd like to see and bring the season pass with you to the shows.

You can purchase tickets and receive updated information at www.flatwatershakespearecompany.org.