Events Performing Arts

Shakespeare in the Park

The Montford Park Players: A Summer of Shakespeare

By Teryn Worsham

From July 8–30, The Montford Park Players will bring to the Hazel Robinson Ampitheatre one of William Shakespeare’s rarely produced tragedies, Titus Andronicus. In this violent tale of revenge, the vindictive Roman general Titus, upon returning from a bloody war with the Goths, kills the captured son of the Queen of the Goths. This assassination spawns a brutal cycle of revenge that includes murder plots and dismemberment. The show stars Asheville actors Jason Williams, Stephanie Hickling Beckman, and Tracy Johnston-Crum.

Although this will be Michael MacCauley’s first time directing a show with the Players, he is no stranger to the stage or Shakespeare’s work. He brings experience as an actor and director for more than 30 Shakespearean works. According to the Players’ artistic director Scott Keel, “(Michael) not only brings a great résumé and knowledge to work here, he also brings a startling vision to this particular play that we are all very excited about.”

Of the production, Michael says, “The sheer blood, gore, and wild abandon make this play a visual and verbal feast of madness and passion.”

Though the blood and violence of Titus Andronicus are unsuitable for children, there are other opportunities for young members of the family to enjoy Shakespeare’s work. Taught by Jeff Catanese, The Montford Moppets Summer Program for Kids is open to children ages 11–18 years old. In the past, the Moppets have presented some of Shakespeare’s most beloved works. This year, however, they will be creating their own by updating some of Shakespeare’s classic scenes to be more contemporary.

“This is a great opportunity for tweens and teens to not only study Shakespeare, but create their own scenes based on the Bard’s,” Jeff says. “I have found that translating these classic plays gives kids a leg up in reading comprehension and many other facets of the language arts. Plus, it gives them a great appreciation for theater itself.”

Registration is open through July 12, and the program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 12 through August 21, from 2–6 p.m. Performances, open to the public, are August 19–21 at 6:30 p.m. each night. Participation in the program is $100 per student. To register, call 828.254.5146.

Performances of Titus Andronicus are Friday through Sunday, at 7:30 p.m. each night. The Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre is located at 92 Gay Street in Asheville. As with all Montford Park Players’ productions, admission is free and donations are welcomed. For more information, call 828.254.5146 or visit montfordparkplayers.org.

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