The Hudson Shakespeare Company of Jersey City returns for the final installment of its 24th annual Shakespeare in North Jersey parks with perhaps the Bard's very first play "Two Gentlemen of Verona". The show will be running at the following locations:
* Wednesday, August 5th, 7pm Westfield Memorial Library, NJ, 550 E. Broad Street, Westfield, NJ
* Thursday, August 6, 7pm, Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ, 9th Street and Jersey Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
* Friday, August 7, 7pm, Van Vorst Park, Jersey City, NJ, Montgomery Street and Jersey Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
*Saturday, August 9, 5pm Long Pond State Park, 1334 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ
* Monday, August 10, 7pm, Sinatra Park, 502 Frank Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ
* Tuesday, August 11, 7:30pm, Monument Park, 1588 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ
* Wednesday, August 12, 7:30pm, Atlantic Street Park, 102 State Street, Hackensack, NJ
* Saturday, August 15, 7pm, Historic Harsimus Cemetery, 435 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
* Monday, August 17, 7pm, Kenilworth Library, 546 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ
* Tuesday, August 18, 7:30pm, Monument Park, 1588 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ
* Wednesday, August 19, 7:30pm, Atlantic Street Park, 102 State Street, Hackensack, NJ
* Thursday, August 20, 7:30pm, Springfield Library, 60 Mountain Avenue, Springfield, NJ
Each summer season the Hudson Shakespeare Company loves to present lesser done Shakespeare with unique spins or even present dubious works attributed to Shakespeare such as last month's "Arden of Faversham" set in the 1950s. However, these days doing Shakespeare set in its original time period is the exception rather than the rule. "Sometimes you just want to see a good old fashioned sword fight in tights," jokes show's director, Jon Ciccarelli.
"Very often we look present a new angle on a Shakespeare title or expand on something that we've seen another group try but with "Two Gentlemen of Verona", we're going back to basics and presenting a romantic comedy about two best bros, Valentine played by Lawrence James and Proteus played by Tim Marriot fall in love with the same woman Sylvia played by Susie Duecker in a Renaissance time frame with Italian sword play and music. This basic love triangle is complicated by fact that Proteus girlfriend Julia played by Noelle Fair, is a little miffed at Proteus leaving her and falling for another woman and in typical Shakespeare style dresses up like a boy to chase after him. The play is also peppered with the usual Shakespeare clowns, the best part written for a dog and its a lively adventure romp in the tradition of "The Princess Bride", Ciccarelli said.
Show Synopsis
Valentine sets off from Verona for Milan to see the world. Despite Valentine's best efforts to persuade him to come too, Proteus, his best friend, stays at home because of his love for Julia. She is in love with him too, but neither knows of the other's love until Lucetta, her maid, shows Julia a love letter from Proteus. Julia denies her feelings to her maid, but once alone reveals how strongly she feels about Proteus. His father, Antonio, informs him of his decision to send him to Milan and the duke's court to join Valentine. The lovers take their leave and swear eternal constancy.
Friends become enemies - In Milan, Proteus finds that Valentine has fallen in love with Silvia, the duke's daughter, and plans to elope with her to foil her father's plan to marry her to Turio. When Proteus see his friend's beloved Silvia, he too falls completely in love with her and puts aside his feelings for Julia. Valentine confides his plans to elope to his friend but Proteus, now infatuated with Silvia too, betrays the plan to the duke and Valentine is banished from Milan. In the wilderness he encounters a band of outlaws and is elected their leader.
Two ladies remain constant - Meanwhile Julia, disguised as Sebastian, has come to Milan in search of her beloved Proteus. Overhearing him declare his passion for Silvia, she is devastated but, under cover of her disguise, enters his service as a page. When Proteus sends her with a message to Silvia, Julia is encouraged to find that his advances are rejected and that Silvia remains faithful to Valentine. Silvia escapes into the forest to join Valentine. The duke and Turio (Silvia's betrothed) set out in pursuit, followed by Proteus and Julia (still disguised as a page). Silvia is captured by the outlaws but then rescued by Proteus who, but then they all run into Valentine. How will this love quadrangle work out?
Admission is free for all shows except for the show at Jersey City Cemetery where a $10 suggested donation is required. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor locations, library shows have indoor seating. For more information call 973 449 7443 or visit http://ellem-fair.wix.com/hudsonshakespeare.
