Finally, after years of traveling to New York to see the famed outdoor theatrical series, Shakespeare in the Park, our local Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company and the Grand Rapids Public Library hitch their passions for the word and performance to create a brand new event in Riverside Park.
Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company, known in our region for their non-traditional and yet highly engaging productions of The Bard's works, will perform William Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.
This first offering tells the story of King Leontes of Sicilia, who, suspecting his wife, Hermione, of infidelity, becomes wrapped in a cloak of jealousy. This results in a trial where the legal system of the day agrees that the newborn child must be turned out into the wilderness.
And just like any good story, you need a twist -- and in this one the oracle later proclaims that Hermione is indeed innocent, leaving the reactionary king (once again) consumed by the emotion of guilt, spending years asking for forgiveness.
But this is Shakespeare so the journey this family takes to become reunited takes many a comedic turn before landing in Bohemia where a mysterious shepherdess falls in love with a prince.
No worries about taking your t'weens to this one as the play's really a fairy-tale built for the ages.
The company will be directed by Dennis Henry, a long-standing member of the nationally acclaimed American Shakespeare Center.
There will be some seating but it is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you bring your own seating, please make sure it is low-back lawn chairs and/or blankets.
Food trucks will be at the event and attendees are welcome to bring food from home. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed so hide your flask, my lads and ladies.
In the event of rain, it will be held at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.
Admission: Free. If you go, tag #CrestonGR so we can follow your reactions to this first time event.
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