Commonwealth Shakespeare Company to Present Free TWELFTH NIGHT, 7/23-8/10

One of Greater Boston's most beloved summer traditions, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's (CSC) "Free Shakespeare On The Common," presents the Bard's classic comedy of love in disguise Twelfth Night July 23 - August 10, 2014. Performances are free and open to the public and held Tuesdays thru Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm; with one matinee on Saturday, July 26 @ 3pm. (Press performance is Wednesday, July 30 at 8pm). For reserved "Friends Section" chairs, special events and more information visit online at www.commshakes.org or call (617) 426-0863.

Twelfth Night follows the journey of Viola and Sebastian, twins separated by a shipwreck, as they encounter loss and love in their new homeland-the mythical and magical land of Illyria. Under the direction of Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler, the cast will feature Remo Airaldi* (Feste), Marianna Bassham* (Viola), Conner Christiansen* (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), Sheree Galpert* (Maria), Woody Gaul (Antonio), Nile Hawver (Sebastian). Kerry O'Malley* (Olivia), Robert Pemberton* (Sir Toby Belch), Juan Rodriguez (Fabian), Fred Sullivan Jr.* (Malvolio), and Robert Najarian* (Orsino).*denotes member of Actor's Equity Association.

The design/creative team includes Nancy Leary (Costume Designer), David Remedios, Sound Designer; Eric Southern, (Lighting Designer), Cristina Todesco, (Set Designer), Yo-el Cassell, (Resident Choreographer,) and Joseph Frangieh, (Assistant Director). Cast and designer bios. http://commshakes.org/performances/performance/57

This year, pre-show opportunities will include The Greenshow, featuring CSC's Apprentice Program, and Commonwealth Concerts, with New England Conservatory and The Free For All Concert Fund, Inc.

"For visitors and performers alike, Boston Common provides an venue for live performance unlike any other in the city, or even the world," says Maler. "We have always looked for ways to enrich the audience experience, as well as the learning experience for our pprentices. Through The Greenshow, and the work of our renowned concert partners, audiences will have the chance to be immersed in music and theatre every night in this iconic space."

THE GREENSHOW (one-hour before each performance)

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's Greenshow features actors from its Apprentice Program, CSC's actor training program for emerging young theater artists. Traditionally, a Greenshow is the prelude to an evening's performance, meant to prepare an audience for the main event. This performance runs approximately 30 minutes, is fun, lively, and appropriate for the whole family: a great way to learn more about Twelfth Night.

COMMONWEALTH CONCERTS (90 minutes before performance)

Sponsored by the New England Conservatory (NEC)
Friday, August 1 - Friday, August 8

Sponsored by "The Free For All Concert Fund, Inc. (90 minutes before curtain)
Saturday, August 9 - Boston Public Quartet, resident ensemble of musiConnects
Sunday, August 10 - Musicians from the Longwood Symphony Orchestra

FRIENDS SECTION

Reserving a chair in the newly renamed "Friends Section" is now a benefit of supporting the CSC Fund, which with grants and sponsorships makes Free Shakespeare on the Common possible. For a minimum donation of $50, the donor will receive one reserved chair in the CSC Friends Section for a performance of Twelfth Night this summer on the Boston Common.

Picnic Boxes - Earl of Sandwich picnic boxes are available for a $15 donation. Food trucks and the annual Ben & Jerry's special sundae will be available during performances.

Special thanks to CSC's Free Shakespeare on the Common sponsors: Babson College, The Boston Globe, Comcast, Ovation, The Boston Foundation, Liberty Mutual Foundation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Boston Cultural Council, and Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.