THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) & More Set for Actors' Theatre 31st Season

Actors' Theatre of Columbus will present a steady line up of comedy, drama, and adventure for their 31st season, including Goldoni's THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS and THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE (ABRIGED) This year, for the first time ever, Actors' Theatre will perform in two different locations.

Often called "Shakespeare in the Park," the theatre company is known for its productions of classic theatre in the outdoor amphitheater in beautiful Schiller Park in historic German Village. This year, the group will also cross the pond for two special productions at the new Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion in the Columbus Commons.

The season runs from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September, with performances at Schiller Park starting at 8 pm every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. "This being the Columbus Bicentennial," says John S. Kuhn, Artistic Director of Actors' Theatre, "we carefully selected plays that are celebratory, exciting and most importantly, family-friendly, with a tip of the hat to our country's Italian heritage."

The season starts at Schiller Park with Robin Hood, written by Philip J. Hickman and co-directed by Kuhn and Adam Simon, and running from Thursday, May 24, to Sunday, June 24. Kuhn says, "Audiences will enjoy this brand new adaptation of the well-known mythology. Everyone knows Robin Hood was an outlaw of sorts who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, but what makes him tick?"

The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, also co-directed by Kuhn and Simon, runs from Thursday, June 28 to Sunday, July 29 at Schiller Park. This is one of William Shakespeare's most well-known and beloved plays. The production offers both sides of the theatrical coin with its moments of lightheartedness, and its exploration of prejudice.

Actors' Theatre finishes their season at Schiller Park with the August 2 to September 2 run of the screwball comedy, The Servant of Two Masters, written by Carlo Osvaldo Goldoni and directed by Pamela Hill. This Italian farce revolves around the misadventures of a hapless servant who is caught in the intertwining lives of two Italian families. It features all of the elements one expects from a first rate comedy of manners: mistaken identities, pining lovers, and plenty of hijinks.

Starting Friday, August 16, Actors' Theatre will simultaneously stage weekend performances of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) at Columbus Commons. Directed by Simon, the production will be performed Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun for two weekends, August 16-19 and August 23-26, with performances starting at 7:30 PM. "We are very excited to be collaborating with Columbus Commons on this project and we think the audiences will love the plays we will be performing this year," says Kuhn.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), an outrageous parody of all the plays written by Shakespeare, is performed in a much shortened 97-minute form by only three actors. Think Hamlet clocking in at under a minute. "It is a funny, entertaining play that appeals to kids and adults alike, and not just to fans of Shakespeare," says Kuhn.

Actors' Theatre's summer season at Columbus Commons comes to a close with A Midsummer Night's Dream, which will also run Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun for two weekends, September 13-16 and September 20-23, with performances at 7:30 PM. Directed by Kuhn, A Midsummer Night's Dream, one of Shakespeare's most popular plays, uses life-sized puppets for some of the roles in the Actors' Theatre production. "It is very accessible when performed in this manner, and particularly for children. It is a great way for parents to introduce their children to classical theatre," says Kuhn.

Kuhn points out that, as always, all the five summer productions are free. "We are pleased that we are able to continue to offer our summer productions at no charge. However, as always, we strongly encourage attendees to make donations to support our efforts. Donations remain an important income source for our continuing sustainability."

At Schiller Park

Robin Hood, 8 PM, Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun, May 24 – June 24

The Merchant of Venice, 8 PM, Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun, June 28 – July 29

The Servant of Two Masters, 8 PM, Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun, August 2 – September 2

At Columbus Commons

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), 7:30 PM, August 16 – 26

A Midsummer Night's Dream, 7:30 PM, September 13 – 23

For additional information about the upcoming season, visit www.TheActorsTheatre.org or check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.