<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) David Goldstein as Bottom (top), Jim Gall as Oberon and Kelly Kitchens as Titania star in Wooden O’s Vegas style version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

ADVERTISEMENT

‘Romeo and Juliet’

• 3 p.m. Sunday, July 20, in City Park, 3rd & Pine, downtown Edmonds. Concerts will be cancelled if it rains. Concerts are accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information call 425-771-0228. • 7 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday, July 23 & 24, at the Lynndale Park Amphitheater, 18927 72nd Ave. W., Lynnwood. Performances may be cancelled if it rains. Call 425-771-4030 after 4 p.m. on the day of show for cancellation information. • 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Richmond Beach Community Park, Richmond Beach Rd. at 21st Ave NW. For more information call 206-417-4645. ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ • 7 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at Animal Acres Park, NE 178th St. & Brookside Blvd in Lake Forest Park. For more information call 206-417-4645. More Shakespeare in the Parks • Lynndale Park will also host two performances from local Shakespearean theatre group Green Stage: “Hamlet” July 31 and “Twelfth Night” Aug. 7.

CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, Copy editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Everything's coming up Shakespeare

Bard’s plays are blooming at local outdoor venues this week

Enterprise staff

Everything's coming up Shakespeare in local parks beginning this week as Lynnwood, Lake Forest Park, and Edmonds all play host to outdoor performances of the Bard's theatrical works.

It all begins Sunday, July 20, when Shakespeare lovers have the opportunity to travel to Edmonds for a tragedy, then head south to Shoreline to see a comedy.

In the afternoon, the Edmonds Arts Commission's Concerts in the Park series presents Wooden O Theatre's production of "Romeo and Juliet" at 3 p.m. in City Park.

"Romeo and Juliet," one of Shakespeare's most renowned works, is set in a war-torn Verona where residents endure the presence of occupying forces that have turned the streets into a battlefield. Yet in this culture of violence, hope emerges when two young strangers discover a love that makes them forget their historical bitter hostility. When friends, family and even faith conspire against their love, drastic measures lead to dire consequences. "Romeo and Juliet" is regarded as a timeless clarion call for peace and reconciliation in a conflict-ravaged culture. The production is directed by George Mount.

If you missed Wooden O Theatre's performances of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" in Lynnwood earlier this week, you have another chance to catch it when the Shoreline Concerts in the Parks series hosts the play at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 20 at Animal Acres Park in Lake Forest Park.

This production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," directed by Vanessa Miller, sprinkles a bit of glittering Vegas-pixie dust over lovers and fools alike in this casino-themed take on Shakespeare's most popular comedy. The stakes are high for fairy rulers Oberon and Titania as they gamble with love and power, drawing two sets of mortal lovers and a handyman/actor called Bottom into their wicked game. The wild card in this stacked deck is Puck, who magically muddles the romance and comic confusion to dizzying heights.

If you can't make it to the afternoon show of "Romeo & Juliet" in Edmonds on Sunday, you can see the production July 23 and 24 as part of Lynnwood's Shakespeare In The Park series in Lynndale Park. If by chance you're also booked up on those days, the Shoreline Concerts in the Parks series will be hosting the play 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 30 in Richmond Beach Community Park.

By the way, admission to all these outdoor productions is free. In all cases, take advantage of the outdoor locations of these productions and bring a picnic lunch or dinner, a blanket to sit on, and a jacket if the summer weather hasn't returned. Be sure to arrive early to get the best seats.