Shakespeare in the park this Friday, Saturday

Monday, July 13, 2020

Back in the Bard’s day, the Globe Theatre produced his plays in an outdoor setting. Following that example, the Putnam County Playhouse Youth Theatre Workshop productions of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” will take place in the bandshell at Robe-Ann Park in Greencastle this year instead of at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre.

The middle school version of the play, “Hamlet in Halves,” will feature two casts. It will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, July 17. The high school version, “Spamlet”, will be presented at the park on Saturday, July 18, beginning at 7 p.m. Audiences are asked to observe social distancing and to bring their own seating – lawn chairs or blankets for the grassy area in front of the stage.

The rain date for both productions is Sunday, July 19, at 7 p.m.

Both events are free.

“SHAKESPEARED!” is sponsored this year by First National Bank. Technical support is provided by Castle Sound.

Participants and instructors followed state-mandated rules for social distancing and other precautions during the two weeks of the workshop. Smaller groups were involved in the rehearsals and cleaning and mask protocols were observed throughout the process.

On Friday evening, up first is “Hamlet in Halves I.” Directed by Beth Bax who is also the narrator, it features Leo Brown in the title role and Charlotte Brown as Ophelia.

Featured performers include Evie Green, Susanna Akinwole and Olivia Stierwalt. Others taking roles include Grayson Linneweber, Josie Cox, Madilyn Hiatt and Katie Funk. PCPH veteran thespian Eleanor Howard is making a guest appearance as Polonius.

The cast for “Hamlet in Halves 2” is directed by Craig Robinson. Taking the title role in this cast is Gunner Roach with Maggie Cooper as Ophelia and the narrator. Audiences will also see Evie Brown, Lily Green, Ella Tischer and Molly Boswell. Featured parts are played by Rowan O’Bannon, Clara Everett and Penny Cummings.

“Spamlet,” directed by Caroline Good, will be presented on Saturday, July 18 at 7 p.m. It features Craig Robinson in the title role with Devin Huff as Claudius, Isabella Brown as Gertrude, Jessica Geiger as Polonius and Ellen Henry as Ophelia.

Featured performers are Isabelle Cafouras, Kiara Boyd, Samuel Gray, Ruthie Mann, Mya Weddle and Charlie Good. Other actors trodding the boards are Alice Howard, Bella Green, Rebecca Hebb, Avery Stockwell. Also in the cast are Courtney Huff, Madison Bayles, Korbyn Taylor and Samantha Funk.

Special thanks are extended to the Putnam County Foundation, Arts-Illiana, Discover Putnam County and the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department.

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