Shakespeare & Company Announces 12th Annual Fourth of July of Celebration

In the spirit of Shakespeare & Company's 12th annual Fourth of July Celebrations, Artistic Director Tony Simotes welcomes back many special guests to join in on the festivities including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, State Senator Benjamin Downing, and Massachusetts State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, all of whom will partake in the readings as well as being involved in other exciting ancillary events, including a surprise performance of the outrageous Nickel Shakespeare Girls, surrounding the Fourth of July holiday. Festivities begin at 1:30 PM with a public All-American BBQ (a la carte) followed by the historic reading at 3 PM under the big top tent at Shakespeare & Company's 70 Kemble Street property. This event is FREE and open to the public.

"For over 35 years, Shakespeare & Company has been an invaluable asset to the Berkshires," said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. "They provide the community with unparalleled productions of Shakespeare, an astounding education program that has touched the lives of thousands of young people throughout the Commonwealth, and actor training that has produced some of our finest artists."

The Company's annual reading of the Declaration of Independence has become the unofficial kick-off to the summer season in the Berkshires for over a decade. A lively and family-friendly day is once again in store for our guests on the Fourth. Attendance in past Fourth celebrations have numbered over 800 artists, celebrities, former company members, and members of the general public. So break out the blankets, Frisbees and sun-screen, and enjoy a fun-filled day of music, song, mouth-watering food, and an awe-inspiring reading of the Declaration of Independence to celebrate our American heritage.

"Our annual reading of the Declaration of Independence is one of the things I'm most proud of," says Artistic Director Tony Simotes. "I'm always awed by the power of hearing the document read aloud. Our community, dignitaries, and Company actors breathe so much life into the reading. This yearly tradition is such a great way to honor our history."

The reading of the Declaration of Independence is part of the outdoor Bankside Festival, which offers family-oriented performances and programming all summer long. This year's Bankside Festival is headlined by a new adaptation of Moliere's Les Faux Pas: Or the Counter Plots, which is adapted and directed by long-time Company Member Jenna Ware and features the sensationally silly Jennie M. Jadow. The show runs on the Rose Footprint Theatre from June 26 through August 24.

Why not start the day off with a behind-the-scenes tour of Shakespeare & Company's grounds at 10:30 AM. Visit the costume shop, the armory, and the mysteries of the backstage. Later that evening, attend one of our critically-acclaimed performances -Love's Labour's Lost in the Tina Packer Playhouse at 7:30 PM and Heroes in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre at 8:30 PM.

Fourth of July Schedule of Events:
10:30 - Behind the Scenes Tour ($10 adults, $5 students)
12:00 - Sculpture Show
1:30 - Community Barbecue (a la carte pricing)

2:45 - 3:00: Music performed by Company artists and musicians, include David Joseph (The Tempest, The 39 Steps), Deborah Grausman, and Luke Reed to name a few!

3:00 - 4:30: Reading of The Declaration of Independence
4:00 - Nickel Shakespeare Girls performance
4:15 - Sculpture Show
7:30 - 10:30: Love's Labour's Lost at the Tina Packer Playhouse.
8:30 - 10:00: Heroes in the Bernstein Theatre.

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