THE TEMPEST Opens Thursday At Royal Oak Park

Shakespeare's magical play The Tempest is set to open in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park Thursday night and continue through August 7. Tickets ($20) are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.waterworkstheatre.com, or beginning one hour prior to performances at the Starr Jaycee Park box office. A complete Shakespeare In The Park in Royal Oak performance schedule follows this release.

Detroiters will believe in magic with Water Works Theatre Company's spectacular production of The Tempest. From Prospero's mystical command of nature to Ariel's magic spells and real flying fairies, Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee park will spring to incredible life for three exciting weeks.

For The Tempest, Water Works Theatre Company enlisted the help of talented mask-maker, Nina Barlow (www.ninabarlow.com) to create more than 50 unique masks for 14 faces. From basic neutral masks to elaborate, smoke-breathing & illuminated creations, Ms. Barlow's unique artistry will add a fantastical dimension to Shakespeare's magical work and Water Works enchanting outdoor theatre. In addition, Director Jeff Thomakos turned to Planet Rock (www.planet-rock.com) to construct unique rigging in the park's theatre space, providing the element of flight to this year's production.

Tickets for The Tempest ($20) are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.waterworkstheatre.com, or beginning one hour prior to performances at the Starr Jaycee Park box office.

Shakespeare In The Park in Royal Oak events take place in Starr Jaycee Park - 1101 W 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak MI 48073. For performances, guests can bring blankets for near the stage lawn seating, low-to-the-ground lawn chairs, or choose seating in the Water Works bleachers. Pre-show picnicking is allowed in Starr Jaycee Park, but not in the theatre area. Free Parking is available in the park's paved lots within walking distance of the Water Works outdoor stage.

Water Works Theatre Company, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional theatre company that provides professional caliber experience to the emerging professional theatre artist. The company is proud to be presenting its 10th annual Shakespeare In The Park in Royal Oak without the aid of local tax payer dollars. For more information log on to: www.waterworkstheatre.com.

The 11th Annual Shakespeare In The Park in Royal Oak complete schedule

The Tempest
Tickets: $20

Thursday, July 21 @ 8pm
Friday, July 22 @ 8pm
Saturday, July 23 @ 8pm
Sunday, July 24 @ 4pm
Thursday, July 28 @ 8pm
Friday, July 29 @ 8pm
Saturday, July 30 @ 8pm
Sunday, July 31 @ 4pm
Thursday, August 4 @ 8pm
Friday, August 5 @ 8pm
Saturday, August 6 @ 8pm
Sunday, August 7 @ 4pm

Lane Riosley's The Commedia Tales of Aladdin
Tickets: $6

Tuesday, July 26 @ 7pm
Wednesday, July 27 @ 7pm
Saturday, July 30 @ 11am
Sunday, July 31 @ 11am
Tuesday, August 2 @ 7pm
Wednesday, August 3 @ 7pm
Saturday, August 6 @ 11am
Sunday, August 7 @ 11am

Summer Sonnets
Tickets: FREE

NEW for 2011 - enjoy a magical hour in the park on a summer afternoon with the lyrical poetry of the Bard's love Sonnets.

Saturday, July 30 @ 4pm
Saturday, August 6 @ 4pm

KidsAct!
August 1-5
Open to students exiting grades 1-8.
Registration: $185 per student.

KidsAct! is a one-of-a-kind performance workshop in an outdoor setting, culminating in a free-admission show on the Shakespeare In The Park stage. It's the most young aspiring actors will have all summer!

The Water Works Academy
July 25-29
Open to high school and pre-college students
Registration: $185 per student.

This one-week intensive for high school and pre-college students gives young actors the chance to create their own play in the park using a "summer stock" company approach. Working professionals will guide students as they embark on the tasks of writing, directing, stage managing, designing and performing a one-of-a-kind piece of theatrical magic on the stage in Starr Jaycee Park.

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