13th Annual SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK Kicks Off Today

The outdoor stage has been built, bleachers are being set and tents and concession stands will soon pop up in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park as Water Works Theatre Company prepares for the 13th annual Shakespeare in the Park, today, August 1-11.

Michigan's biggest and best outdoor professional theatre event will feature two weeks of theatrical fun in the heart of Royal Oak. Tickets ($8-$20) are on sale now for The Merry Wives of Windsor and Much Ado About Nothing and can be purchased online at www.waterworkstheatre.com. In addition to its outdoor productions, Water Works will also offer performance minded students an opportunity to learn from the experts with the Water Works Academy and KidsAct July 29 - August 10.

"Water Works Theatre Company is pleased to welcome veteran actor Paul Hopper in his WWTC directorial debut of Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor," stated Water Works Artistic Director Sara Wolf. "We are thrilled and privileged to have such a longstanding theater professional standing at the helm of our main stage production, particularly one that has contributed much talent and creativity to Water Works' previous seasons. We are also thrilled that veteran Water Works director Barton Bund is returning with his energy and creativity for our family show production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. This interpretation will no doubt entertain all ages, as well as those who are either new to or unsure of Shakespeare."

Bawdy and hilarious, The Merry Wives of Windsor weaves a tangled tease around Shakespeare's famous clown, Falstaff! Catch this refreshing take on the classic comedy directed by Water Works' veteran Paul Hopper, starring Water Works favorite, Sara Catheryn Wolf, and introducing Richard Redman as the fumbling Falstaff. Performances are at 8:00pm Thursday - Saturday and 5:00pm Sundays August 1-11. Tickets ($20) are on sale now at www.waterworkstheatre.com, by calling(248) 399-3727, or one hour prior to performances at the Starr Jaycee Park box office. Outside food & beverages are prohibited in the Shakespeare in the Park outdoor theatre, but concessions and locally made beer and wine will be for sale during Merry Wives performances with proper ID.

The Merry Wives of Windsor features:
Listed alphabetically with character(s) and hometowns
Kevin Barron - Slendor - Detroit, MI
Lynda Berge - Mistress Ford - Burton, MI
James Busam - Host - Rochester Hills, MI
Alastar Dimitrie - Pistol, Rugby - Ann Arbor, MI
Jocelyn Ethridge - Mistress Quickly - Estpointe, MI
Kyle Grant - Fenton, Bardolph - Plymouth, MI
Tobin Hissong* - Mr. Page - Dexter, MI
Chris Mick - Dr. Caius - Rochester, MI
Sean Paraventi - Shallow, John - Redford, MI
Peter Prouty - Mr. Ford - Royal Oak, MI
Richard Redman* - Falstaff - Lansing, MI
Emilio Rodriguez - Hugh Evans - Detroit, MI
Nick Rowley - Simple, Nym - Stratford-Upon-Avon, England UK
Katie Terpstra - Anne Page, Robin - Ypsilanti, MI
Sara Catheryn Wolf* - Mistress Page - St. Clair Shores, MI
Paul Hopper - Director - Chelsea, MI
Sarah Drum - Stage Manager - Westland, MI
*Member of Actors' Equity Association

The greatest romantic comedy of all time goes away to summer camp! Director Barton Bund re-imagines the explosive classic comedy romp for a new audience. Camp Messina for Girls is turned upside down when a handsome prince and his goofball entourage descends on the idyllic setting. The battle of the sexes has just begun! Join us for a super fun summer of Love! Appearing this year as Water Works' Daylight Family Show, Much Ado About Nothing is presented as a family-friendly one-hour daylight performance Saturday & Sunday afternoons at 1:00pm and Tuesday and Wednesday evening at 7:00pm August 3-11. Tickets ($8) are on sale now atwww.waterworkstheatre.com, by calling (248) 399-3727, or one hour prior to performances at the Starr Jaycee Park box office. Outside food and beverages are prohibited inside the Shakespeare in the Park theatre, but family friendly concessions will be available during Much Ado About Nothingperformances.

Much Ado About Nothing features:
Listed alphabetically with character(s) and hometowns
Halle Bins - Hero - Northville, MI
Jaclynn Cherry - Ursula - Rochester Hills, MI
Linda Hammell - Leonato - Lathrup Village, MI
Zach Hendrickson - Borachio - Ann Arbor, MI
Dan Johnson - Benedick - Ann Arbor, MI
Andrew Papa- Don John - Mt. Pleasant, MI
DeAnnah Kleitz-Singleton - Dogberry - Biloxi, MS
Marcus Laban - Conrade - Warren, MI
Michael Lopetrone - Don John - Ferndale, MI
Sarah Quigley - Margaret - Royal Oak, MI
Even Speck - Claudio - Taylor, MI
Ellen Stachowicz - Verges - Royal Oak, MI
Jamie Weeder - Beatrice - Ypsilanti, MI
Barton Bund - Director - Ypsilanti, MI
Emily Pierce - Stage Manager - Farmington Hills, MI

2013 Shakespeare in the Park schedule
All events take place in Starr Jaycee Park: 1301 West 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073

Thursday, August 1
8:00pm The Merry Wives of Windsor ($20)

Friday, August 2
8:00pm The Merry Wives of Windsor ($20)

Saturday, August 3
1:00pm Much Ado About Nothing ($8)
8:00pm The Merry Wives of Windsor ($20)

Sunday, August 4
1:00pm Much Ado About Nothing ($8)
5:00pm The Merry Wives of Windsor ($20)

Tuesday, August 6
7:00pm Much Ado About Nothing ($8)

Wednesday, August 7
7:00pm Much Ado About Nothing ($8)

Thursday, August 8
8:00pm The Merry Wives of Windsor ($20)

Friday, August 9
8:00pm The Merry Wives of Windsor ($20)

Saturday, August 10
1:00pm Much Ado About Nothing ($8)
8:00pm The Merry Wives of Windsor ($20)

Sunday, August 11
1:00pm Much Ado About Nothing ($8)
5:00pm The Merry Wives of Windsor ($20)

Water Water Works Theatre Company, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional theatre company that provides professional caliber experience to the emerging professional theatre artist. The company is proud to be presenting its 13th annual Shakespeare in the Park without the aid of local tax-payer dollars. For more information log on to: www.waterworkstheatre.com.

Photo by: SMyers