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"Non-traditional Shakespeare!"
The New York Times |
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"It's Shakespeare as Willy himself intended!"
The Boston Globe |
Autumn 2007
THE TEMPEST
(The Bard's "Magickal Mystery Tour")
"We are such stuff as dreams are made on"
 The final play solely authored by Shakespeare, The Tempest is considered to be the Bard's farewell love letter to the theatre. Filled with rich imagery, magical spirits and fanciful creatures, audiences are transported to a vibrant, richly-drawn dreamscape where anything can happen! Prospera, a sorcerer and the rightful Dutchess of Milan, dwells on an enchanted island with her daughter, Miranda. Twelve years earlier, her sister, Antonia, and Alonsa, the Queen of Naples, conspired to usurp her throne, but their assassination attempt was thwarted by Gonzalo, who helped Prospera and the infant Miranda escape in a boat, where they eventually washed up on the island. Now Prospera is served by Ariel, a spirit who she freed from a tree, and Caliban, a feral half man/half demon who is the son of the island's former ruler, the evil witch Sycorax. When her psychic abilities reveal that a ship bearing her old enemies is sailing near the island, Prospera summons a storm to wreck it. The survivors make it to shore in scattered groups. Among these is Ferdinand, the son of Alonsa; who meets and falls in love with Miranda. Meanwhile, Antonia, Alonsa and Gonzalo wander the island in search of Ferdinand, whom they believe dead. Elsewhere on the island, drunken fools Stephano and Trinculo encounter Caliban. After sharing a few drinks, Caliban tries to enlist the two in a plot to kill Prospera and rule the island himself. Alive with revenge, reconciliation, intrigue, scheming villains, romance and slapstick buffoonery, these three plots contrive to collide in a finale that promises laughs, tears, marriage and one of the most beautiful and moving of Shakespeare's epilogues. Come celebrate a "day in the life of" these richly-drawn characters and celebrate our "brave new world" in this brave new twist on a classic!
AS YOU LIKE IT (The musical)
“O, wonderful, wonderful and again most wonderful!”
 Lyrical, emotional, bitter-sweet and hugely funny, As You LIke It has long been regarded as Shakespeare's most perfectly constructed (and mature) comedy - a delicious concoction of cross-dressing and lusty pastoral pursuits, filled with song, poetry and slapstick humor. The convoluted plot revolves around the banishment of Rosalind, whose parent has been deposed. Disguised as a young man, "Ganymede", she ventures into the wilds of Arden Forest (accompanied by her loving cousin Celia and the court fool, Touchstone). There she encounters Orlando, with whom she fell in love earlier in the play. He has been banished by his evil older brother, Oliver, who (unbeknownst to him) has followed Orlando into Arden Forest to kill him. Orlando's and Rosalind's love is further complicated by Phebe, a love-crazed shepherdess infatuated with "Ganymede" and the devoted shepherd Silvius, whom she spurns at every turn. Sub-plots concerning parental vengeance and a love story with Celia and Oliver characterize a play rife with story lines about the charms of a simple life before it reaches a tidy resolution culminating in three marriages. The characters are attractive and passionate. The dialogue filled with wit, strong imagery and knowing observations. You won't want to miss this profoundly moving, irrepressibly romantic, hilarious work by a master playing at the very top of his game. As its' title implies, As You Like It has something for everyone! (PG)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE VALLEY
(A Non-Profit Theatre Corporation that invigorates, illuminates and educates)
Family Shows Sponsored by The Waterville Valley Foundation
(www.watervillevalleyfoundation.org)
In partnership with the Waterville Valley Recreation Department/Town of Waterville Valley
(www.watervillevalley.org/recreation)
with help from
The Rey Center Arts in the Mountains
(www.curiousgeorgecottage.org)
Shakespeare in the Valley 39 Alden Drive Campton, NH 03223 603-726-0098
Member of the National Assoc. of Shakespearean Theatres.
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