The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival, now in its 32nd year of continuous annual productions, recently announced its full lineup of performances, beginning with the company’s premiere of William Shakespeare’s Richard II during the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation co-production of Shakespeare by the Sea at the Seabreeze Amphitheater in Jupiter’s Carlin Park. The free, outdoor event runs July 7-10 and July 14-17. The performance will then tour to its second home during the Village of Royal Palm Beach-sponsored Shakespeare by the Palms in Commons Park on July 21-24. For both locations, gates open at 6:30 p.m. with performances starting at 8 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested $5 per person donation.
“We are truly excited to bring this play to the public,” Shakespeare Festival Associate Artist Trent Stephens said. “Richard II features some of the richest language in Shakespeare’s canon. Throughout its fascinating production history, it has resonated with audiences in ways that speak to their times.”
King Richard was crowned at a very young age, and throughout his reign, his poor leadership led to a loss of faith in the governance of the realm.
“Over the course of the play, Richard is forced to watch his world change before his eyes,” Stephens said. “The deposition scene in the play was used during the Essex Rebellion of 1601, inciting rebellion which threatened the life of Queen Elizabeth I. As a result, they were forced to remove the scene entirely from the printed quartos. The play’s electricity resurfaced again two years ago at the Public Theater in NYC during the Black Lives Matter protests. The play is about our need to keep power in check.”
The Shakespeare Festival will extend its season in partnership with the Benjamin School and produce the chillingly terrifying stage production of The Woman In Black on Sept. 22-25 at the Benjamin Upper School Theater in Palm Beach Gardens.
Shakespeare by the Sea XXXII’s production of Richard II runs July 7-10 and July 14-17 at the Seabreeze Amphitheater in Carlin Park, located at 750 South SR A1A in Jupiter.
Shakespeare by the Palms II’s production of Richard II runs July 21-24 at the Commons Park Amphitheater, located at 11600 Poinciana Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach.
Visitors are invited to bring a beach chair, blanket and picnic basket or enjoy food trucks on site. Visit www.pbshakespeare.org for more information. Sponsorship opportunities for the entire season or individual productions are available. E-mail elizabeth@pbshakespeare.org to learn more.
The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival is a nonprofit professional theater company dedicated to enhancing the accessibility and appreciation for Shakespearean, classic and contemporary theater for all ages and socioeconomic levels. For more information about the festival, its history or its season, visit www.pbshakespeare.org.
