HAMLET to Open Midsommer Flight's Sixth Season at Lincoln Park

HAMLET is the summer production in Midsommer Flight's sixth season bringing free Shakespeare to Chicago's parks. It opens Saturday, July 8 at Lincoln Park, 2045 N. Lincoln Park West.

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenMark Will be performed in an abridged 100-minute version that will capture the murderous intrigues of the royal family - complete enough for those familiar with the play and accessible for newcomers to it. The play's most famous lines - including some of Shakespeare's most frequently quoted, such as "To be or not to be," "the play's the thing" and "To thine own self be true" - will be delightfully present for those who know the lines are coming and for those who will be surprised to hear them in this context. The play will be presented on the ground, with natural lighting (curtain times are early enough to complete performances before sunset) and without amplification, just as in Shakespeare's day.

Hamlet will be directed by Beth Wolf, the company's founder and producing artistic director, who has directed all the company's productions since its founding in 2012. Wolf says "We're delighted to be presenting Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's most popular plays, and making it available and affordable for all to see. While our performances are played in daylight and without amplification, just as they were at The Globe Theatre, our sets and costumes will give the piece contemporary parallels and relevance."

Her cast includes Samual Cheeseman (Hamlet), Jared Dennis (Claudius), Stephen Fedo (Polonius), Morayo Orija (Gertrude), Bianca Phipps (Ophelia), Joe Sergio (Laertes), Ian Michael Minh (Horatio), Mark Huddle (Ghost/Player King), Adam Habben (Marcellus/Osric/Lucianus/ Gravedigger 2), Jesse Montoya (Rosencrantz), Adam Rice (Guildenstern), Emily Renee Shimskey (Barnardo/Sailor/Ambassador/ Player Queen/Gravedigger1) and Erick Rivera (Musician/Composer). Elizabeth Rentfro will be music director and vocal coach.

The design team includes Chris Smith and Maureen Yasko (fight directors) and Jeremiah Barr (scenic designer). Robin Waisanen will be stage manager and Meredith Ernst will be assistant director.

IF YOU GO:

Hamlet
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Beth Wolf
July 8 - August 27, 2017
Saturdays at 6 PM and Sundays at 2 PM

Venues vary by week:

July 8-9 @ Lincoln Park (2045 N Lincoln Park West, 60614)

July 15-16 and 22-23 @ Touhy Park (7348 N Paulina, 60626)

July 29-30 and August 5-6 @ Schreiber Park (1552 W Schreiber, 60626)

August 12-13 and 19-20 @ Gross Park (2708 W Lawrence, 60625)

August 26-27 @ Lincoln Park (2045 N Lincoln Park West, 60614)

All performances are free.

Live music will be presented a half hour prior to each performance. Audiences are encouraged to come early and bring a picnic to enjoy this free programming.

Advance reservations are not offered - seating is first come, first served, and audience members can bring their own blankets or chairs. Show information on website at www.midsommerflight.com, including detailed schedule and info about directions and parking at each park.

Kick-off picnic - Saturday, June 17
The company will begin its 2017 season with a free "Season Kick-Off Picnic" in Lincoln Park on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. This free event will give Midsommer Flight patrons and community members the opportunity to mingle with ensemble and summer cast, enjoy a BYO picnic in the park, and enjoy a short program including a stage combat demonstration and a Q&A with cast and crew of HAMLET. The picnic will be held in the park on Stockton Avenue between the Lincoln Park Cultural Center and the Zoo (official address is the Lincoln Park Cultural Center at 2045 N Lincoln Park West).

Midsommer Flight is a theatre company dedicated to presenting high quality, accessible productions of Shakespeare's plays in Chicago communities. After the company's well-received inaugural production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2012, the Chicago City Council honored Midsommer Flight with a resolution praising "the Midsommer Flight theater troupe on their dedication to bringing the arts to underserved communities." The company incorporated as a not-for-profit in the state of Illinois in early 2013, and has since produced Romeo and Juliet (2013), Much Ado About Nothing (2014), Macbeth (2015), Twelfth Night (2015) and As You Like It (2016).

All performances will be presented free of charge (donations gratefully accepted). In addition, live music will be presented prior to each summer performance. Audiences are encouraged to come early and bring a picnic to enjoy this free programming. For more information visit www.midsommerflight.com.

Photo Credit: Zack Whittington