Naked Shakespeare Celebrates April Fools With Shakespeare Smackdown

The Acorn Shakespeare Ensemble, presenters of the "Naked Shakespeare" series, offers Portland audiences a little April tomfoolery in their first Monday of the month performance in April. The company's ongoing "Sonnet and Soliloquies" series at the Wine Bar on Wharf St. in Portland's Old Port will take on a different twist when pairs of thespians square off against one another in the second annual "Shakespeare Smackdown," a lighthearted event that allows audiences to see two different approachs to the same text. "Shakespeare Smackdown" is a one hour free performance of some of the bard's best poetry, presented in a style that is designed to be accessible to all audience members, even those that are not that familiar with his work. The ambience and performance style encourage an intimate relationship between actor and audience that allows the language to take center stage. Actors are cued by contemporary lines written on cue cards read by audience members, allowing for a playful interaction that celebrates the poetry by providing a contemporary context for the text. The April edition will not only include the dueling speeches, but also short previews from Naked Shakespeare's upcoming performances of As You Like It in May.

The Acorn Shakespeare Ensemble was founded by Michael Levine and Michael Howard in the fall of 2004 in order to provide an opportunity for local professional actors to forge a long-term working relationship designed to deepen their ability to interpret classical text. The company's mission to is to educate its audience about the meaning behind Shakespeare's text by using acting to simply demonstrate the broad range of intricate emotion, theme and language. The company offers a free series of "Naked Shakespeare" performances at venues throughout Greater Portland not typically used as performance space for live theater, creating the world of the play in the imagination of the audience by minimizing the use of sets, lights and costumes. This season's events have included the "Fools for Love" scene night, upcoming performances of The Tempest, directed by Harlan Baker at USM and the St. Lawrence Arts Center, and May's As You Like It, directed by Michael Howard and presented outdoors in Westbrook's Riverbank Park.

Call Acorn Productions at 854-0065 or visit www.nakedshakespeare.org for more information about "Sonnets and Soliloquies" or any other programs offered by Acorn Productions.

When: Monday, April 5 at 8 p.m.
Where: Wine Bar, 38 Wharf St., Portland
How Much: Free, suggested donation $5
FMI: www.nakedshakespeare.org or 854-0065

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Lighting Design - Top 3

1. Jen Schriever, Michael Arden - The Lost Boys

28.7% of votes

2. Kevin Adams - Chess

16.1% of votes

3. Jack Knowles - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

7.8% of votes

Vote Now! View Live Stats