Bridge Street Theatre is thrilled to present Polishing Shakespeare, a razor-sharp, high-stakes battle between art and commerce, penned by acclaimed playwright Brian Dykstra and directed by Bridge Street Theatre Artistic Director, John Sowle. This critically lauded satire—delivered entirely in iambic pentameter—will be setting fire to the stage from April 17-27, 2025, at 44 W. Bridge Street, Catskill, NY. Performances will be held Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. A dot-com billionaire offers a struggling theatre company a massive financial windfall—but only if they agree to “translate” Shakespeare’s plays into more accessible, modern English. What follows is a fiercely funny and whip-smart three-way verbal showdown between an idealistic playwright drowning in debt, a pragmatic artistic director fighting to keep the doors open, and a billionaire convinced that he knows what the audience really wants. Packed with rapid-fire wit, dazzling wordplay, and searing social commentary, Polishing Shakespeare is both a love letter to the theatre and a biting critique of the influence of money on art. This “exhilarating, entertaining rollercoaster” (The Edinburgh Reporter) has received critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike, earning praise for its “hilarious, finely wrought prose” (FringeFan) and “masterclass in precision iambic pentameter” (Get Your Coats On). Directed by the Berkie-winning John Sowle, with a powerhouse cast led by Steven Patterson, Yvonne Perry, and, making her Bridge Street Theatre debut, Angelique Archer, Polishing Shakespeare is a must-see for theatre lovers, Shakespeare enthusiasts, and anyone who has ever grappled with the tension between artistic integrity and financial survival. Don’t miss this electrifying production! Tickets and further information are available at our Box Office or at BridgeStreetTheatre.org.
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Bridge Street Theatre is at 44 W Bridge Street, Catskill, NY.
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Our mission is to enhance the cultural life of Catskill and the surrounding areas by presenting, independently and in concert with other artists, unique theatrical productions and other similar events unlike those generally available to audiences at other theaters in the region. To bring to light works we feel have been unjustly neglected, returning them to the stage where they belong. To present, devise, and commission brand-new works for the stage. To forge a diverse community of like-minded artists to aid in the creation of our work. To continue to locate and bring to our patrons the finest in local, national, and international talent. And to keep our ticket prices affordable and our work readily accessible to the widest possible audience.
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