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. 12th
and Judson Streets, Lincoln
June
21, 7 p.m., Trago Park, N. 22nd
and U Streets, Lincoln
June
22, 7 p.m., Cooper Park, S. 8th
and D Streets, Lincoln
June
23, 7 p.m., Havelock Park, N. 63rd
and Ballard Streets, Lincoln
