Water Works Theatre Company Sets Schedule for 14th Annual Shakespeare Royal Oak

Educational programs return July 28 - August 9 (ROYAL OAK MI) Water Works Theatre Company has announced the schedule and casts for its 14th annual outdoor summer theatre festival, Shakespeare Royal Oak - formerly known as Shakespeare In The Park. The festival begins July 28 in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park and continues through Sunday, August 10. Tickets ($10-$20) are on sale now for Hamlet and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] and can be purchased online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com. A complete Shakespeare Royal Oak performance schedule follows this release. In addition to its outdoor productions, Water Works will also offer performance minded students an opportunity to learn from the experts with the Water Works Academy and KidsAct! July 28 - August 9.

"We are very excited for our 14th year in Starr Jaycee Park," stated Water Works Artistic Director Sara Wolf. "When Water Works presented its first show in the summer of 2001, there were few professional theatre companies presenting outdoor Shakespeare in Michigan. As Shakespeare Royal Oak, we're even more connected with the community that has embraced Water Works from its very beginnings. Thanks to our home community and the thousands of patrons who have visited our shows, we continue to present Michigan's premier professional outdoor theatre event."

This year, Water Works founder Ed Nahhat realizes a personal dream to direct Shakespeare's greatest play, Hamlet, under the open sky, as it was first produced 400 years ago. "When we began the process of setting up the outdoor theatre for our first production - a process we go through from the ground up each summer - I knew the setting in Starr Jaycee Park was perfect for Hamlet," states Nahhat. "Now, 14 years later, we're able to put together a remarkable cast that will bring Shakespeare's most incredible play to life." Water Works' Hamlet will remain loyal to the Bard's genius and the Dane's perfect soliloquies, with a cast of Michigan's finest actors and designers bringing this thrilling clash of deadly swords and even sharper wit to Starr Jaycee Park. The original underdog, Prince Hamlet faces down real ghosts and his own demons to make things right in his kingdom. Hamlet will play at 8:00pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night and at 5:00pm on Sundays July 31 - August 10. Tickets ($20) are on sale now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com-hour. A complete cast list and schedule follows this release.

For its 5th annual Daylight Show, Water Works Theatre Company will present The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield August 2-10 in Starr Jaycee Park. See all of the Bard's genius mashed together into one hilarious farce presented by three incredible local actors. Directed by Water Works Artistic Director Sarah Catheryn Wolf, Complete Works is sure to leave audiences laughing all the way home! This daylight show is appropriate for ages 10 & older and will run just over 90 minutes at 2:00pm Saturday and Sunday August 2,3,9 and 10, and 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 5 and Wednesday, August 6. Tickets ($10) are on sale now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com. A complete cast list and schedule follows this release.

Theatre fans across southeast Michigan are invited to Water Works Theatre Company's annual fundraiser event Friday, June 20 beginning at 6:30pm at the Royal Oak Historical Society Museum. This year's event will feature Dueling Hamlets, an original spoof of reality show singing competitions. This short original comedy brings several Water Works veterans to the stage in a "competition" to see who can deliver the best Hamlet monologues before something goes terribly wrong. Tickets for this fundraiser event are $25 and include light hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, silent auction, local beer, wine and more. Tickets may be reserved by emailing Admin@waterworkstheatre.com or calling (248) 399-3727.

For the 13th year, Water Works Theatre Company will offer performance minded students a chance to learn from experts and to perform on the outdoor stage in Starr Jaycee Park July 28 - August 9.

Water Works Academy is a one-week intensive for high school and pre-college students that gives young actors the chance to create their own play in the park using a "summer stock" company approach. Working professionals guide students as they embark on the adventure of writing, directing, stage managing, designing and performing a one-of-a-kind piece of theatrical magic on the Shakespeare stage in Starr Jaycee Park. Water Works Academy classes are July 28 - August 2; tuition is $200 per student and available now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com or by emailing education@waterworkstheatre.com.