Utah Shakespeare Festival Invites Community to Shakespeare Birthday Celebration, 4/23

On April 23 the Utah Shakespeare Festival is inviting the community to celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday with cake and the final performance of the Shakespeare-in-the-Schools touring production, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. The festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Randall L. Jones Theatre. Tickets are $5 for general admission and can be purchased online at bard.org or by calling 1-800-PLAYTIX.

"We are inviting the whole community to our celebration of the life and works of William Shakespeare," said Michael Bahr, Festival education director. "Shakespeare's plays are still internationally enjoyed over 400 years after he died, so we are honoring the Bard for his beautiful poetry, humor and observation of the human spirit. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is the perfect mix of magic, mischief and merriment for a birthday revelry."

In its 15th year, the Shakespeare-in-the-Schools touring production features a seventy-five minute version of Shakespeare's love story A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, including complete costumes, sets, and theatrical lighting. The touring company has been on the road since January, visiting more than 25,000 students across Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho. The tour spent 14 weeks on the road stopping at schools, community centers and correctional facilities with over 60 performances in 120 schools.

"We use Shakespeare to start conversations and encourage audience members to explore ideas and themes that are relevant to their lives," said Bahr. "A Midsummer Night's Dream discusses issues that people have faced for centuries; fear, jealousy, friendship, love, and ultimately hope. We want this production to engage and expose people of all ages to new possibilities."

Prior to the April 23 celebration, over 2,500 local school children will experience the annual Bard's Birthday Bash at the outdoor Adams Theatre on April 19 and 20. The bash is an exciting and enthusiastic way of exposing kids to the Bard's works through their own performances, as well as by observing the efforts of other students. Students will participate in period activities such as jousting and maypole games, as well as enjoying cake with Queen Elizabeth.