My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Acorn Productions Expands First Friday Naked Shakespeare

By:

Naked Shakespeare, Acorn Productions' performance series dedicated to presenting the works of the Bard in accessible ways for contemporary audiences, expands their popular series of First Friday performances next month with three performances of "Cupid's Arrow," a compilation of the stories of five Shakespearean romances. On the occasion of their happy nuptials, Theseus and Hippolyta (Midsummer Night's Dream) are joined by their famous friends/acquaintances: Benedick and Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing), Suffolk and Margaret (Henry VI), Antony and Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra) and Touchstone and Audrey (As You Like It). As usual wedding hijinks ensue, the lovers are by turns coupled and uncoupled, elated then heartbroken, and for better or worse, affected by the spell of love through some of the most hilarious and stunningly beautiful language in the canon. "Cupid's Arrow" is performed by twelve Naked Shakespeare company actors and directed by company member Sarah Barlow. The performances are free with a $10 suggested donation. For more information, audience members are encouraged to visit Acorn's website at www.acorn-productions.org.

Naked Shakespeare's First Friday shows feature one-hour of text selections from different plays centered around a theme. By hearing Shakespeare's text in a different context, Naked Shakespeare aims to help audiences find new meanings and connections to the universal themes present in his plays. The script for "Cupid's Arrow" was compiled by Artistic Director Michael Levine, who wished to bring to life some of Shakespeare's lesser-known lovers. The play is presented on First Friday during downtown Portland's art walk, repeated the next night in the Ballroom at Mechanics Hall, and then once again on Wednesday, February 10th at the Merrill Memorial Library in Yarmouth. Upcoming Naked Shakespeare First Friday shows are "The Seven Deadly Sins" in March, and "Drunks and Fools: An Evening at the Eastcheap Tavern" in April.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Direction of a Musical - Top 3
1. Michael Arden - The Lost Boys
24.8% of votes
2. Michael Mayer - Chess
14.6% of votes
3. Lear deBessonet - Ragtime
11.7% of votes

Don't Miss a Maine News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Hairspray in Maine Hairspray
Maine State Music Theatre (6/03-6/20)
Robin & Clark's The Little Mermaid in Maine Robin & Clark's The Little Mermaid
Maine State Music Theatre (7/20-7/20)
The Laugh Track in Maine The Laugh Track
Portland Stage Company (5/06-5/31)
1776 in Maine 1776
Maine State Music Theatre (6/24-7/11)
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical Jr.  in Maine Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical Jr.
Maine State Music Theatre (8/10-8/10)
Country Dance in the Parish House w/ The Black Cat Quadrille and Caller Sarah Mason in Maine Country Dance in the Parish House w/ The Black Cat Quadrille and Caller Sarah Mason
First Congregational Church of Kittery, UCC (5/30-5/30)
Scott Moreau: Johnny Cash's America in Maine Scott Moreau: Johnny Cash's America
Maine State Music Theatre (7/05-7/06)
City of Angels in Maine City of Angels
OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE (7/23-8/22)
Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me! in Maine Count Arthur Strong - And It’s Goodnight From Me!
Monmouth Savoy Theatre (3/05-3/05)
Dancing at Lughnasa in Maine Dancing at Lughnasa
True North Theatre (6/05-6/14)