KING LEAR at Outdoor Shakespeare on the Green stage

Local theatre continues tradition in spite of recent collapse

Early on the morning of June 26, a freak wind event - possibly a microburst - blew through Sterling Farms complex in Stamford, destroying the stage set that Curtain Call has used for its annual Shakespeare on the Green program since 2004.

"We've had many crazy summer storms over the past 20+ years, but our replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre stage has stood tall at just over 24 feet high," said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call's executive director.  "We just can't understand how it happened, but we're blessed that no one was hurt," he added.

Beginning Thursday, July 10, Curtain Call's 22nd summer on the green will begin with Shakespeare's KING LEAR. Directed by Kyle Runestad, the cast features many former Shakespeare on the Green performers along with several actors making their Curtain Call debut, including Matthew Bogen who stars in the title role.

William Shakespeare's KING LEAR is a tragedy about power, loyalty, and madness. The play follows Lear, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters—Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia—based on how much they profess to love him. Goneril and Regan flatter him with false praise, while Cordelia, honest and sincere, refuses to exaggerate. Angered, Lear disowns Cordelia and divides the kingdom between the other two. Tragedy unfolds as betrayal, madness, and war take their toll. Cordelia returns with an army to rescue her father, but is captured and executed. Lear dies from grief after her death. By the end of the play, most major characters have died, leaving behind a shattered kingdom.

Performances will be held nightly at 7:30pm, July 10, 11, 12 and 13, and the following week, July 17, 18, 19 & 20, on the great lawn alongside The Royal Green Restaurant at Sterling Farms at 1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. The park will open to patrons at 6:00 pm each day. Food and beverages will be available in the adjoining tent or may be pre-ordered through The Royal Green Restaurant. More information is available at www.curtaincallinc.com/ or by calling 203-329-8207.

“We are thrilled to offer this free event each year to the community," Ursone said. "Of course, we appreciate contributions from our guests, but all are welcome...whether they can contribute or not. Curtain Call suggests contributions of $20 per person for adults; $10 for senior citizens and children. A limited amount of reserved seating is available for $25 per person.

Joining Runestad on the production team are: Jamie LaJoie - lighting and sound design, Robin Mazzola – costume design, and Peter Barbieri, Jr. - set design. Stage management is by Martha Dombroski, Martha Kramer, Jan Ursone and John Zimmerman. The cast includes: Bogen, Kathleen Burkard, Kate Clark, Bruce Crilly, Miranda Falk, Grace Ferrante, Jim Foley, Caty Galgano, Megan Gorman, Dean Kapica, John Kliewe, Olivia Lapine, Daniel Mann, Ashley Marcinek, Amanda Mascarelli, Leslie Messina, Chris Miller, Dan Murphy, Rob Nichols, Josh Pickel, David Shear, Kevin Thompson, and Chris Woodside.

"It's hard to believe that it was at a staff birthday lunch at The Royal Green Restaurant in June 2003 that the idea was born. After gaining support from the Stamford Golf Authority, the restaurant owners and the City of Stamford, we moved forward to bringing free outdoor Shakespeare to Stamford," Ursone said. 

Curtain Call associate artistic director Barbieri (the birthday boy), started out by designing his version of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre stage, which took about six months to build from the ground up. (That's why a complete rebuild after last week's storm was not possible.) For the first production in July 2004, Barbieri selected Twelfth Night, which only played two nights. 

"When we first started, we had no idea if people would really come, that’s why we only did one weekend with two performances," Barbieri said. "The response was terrific and here we are, heading back to the lawn for our 22nd summer," Ursone added. 

What is unique about Curtain Call’s Shakespeare on the Green program is that many actors come back year after year, whether or not they’re in that season’s production, just helping out, building the stage, something akin to an old-fashioned repertory company. In early June, it’s like a barn-raising that might have happened at Sterling Farms a hundred years ago!

“What’s also really great is that because it’s an outdoor, casual event (less threatening/stuffy) our free productions represent the first time many guests see a live Shakespeare production. While we appreciate contributions, our productions make it possible for many to see live theatre that they can’t normally afford. We are so thankful to our many sponsors and individual contributors, but without our founding sponsor Garden Homes Foundation, we may have never gotten this program off the ground, said Ursone.

"While we don't yet know what a rebuild will look like, one thing is certain: we will continue performing out here on the green," Ursone noted. He and Barbieri have long dreamed about some sort of permanent structure to house the free events, so maybe now is the time for them to think seriously about it. "Regardless of how we rebuild, we'll need the support of our community financially to make it happen," they agreed. 

"For many years, people talked about having free Shakespeare in Stamford and now it's a summer tradition for many. This program would not be possible without the generous financial support of several sponsors, like our founding sponsor The Garden Homes Foundation and our supporting sponsors The Stillery/Royal Green Restaurant,” said Ursone. Additional support is from The Connecticut office of the Arts, CT Humanities,  Simply Signs and many individuals," Ursone added. All Curtain Call programming is produced in cooperation with The City of Stamford.

More information is available at www.curtaincallinc.com or by calling 203-329-8207. Curtain Call is the non-profit community based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex. Year-round productions and workshops are presented by and for area residents in The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre.

Curtain Call was voted Fairfield County's BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP 10 years running in the Annual Readers' Poll of Fairfield County Weekly and has received similar BEST OF awards from Stamford Magazine and StamfordPlus magazine for nearly 20 years. Curtain Call received The Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011 and the ACE Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.

Authors

• William Shakespeare

Tony Awards and Nominations for KING LEAR