*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