The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival recently announced the pre-show entertainment during this year’s Shakespeare by the Sea XXXIV and Shakespeare by the Palms IV production of William Shakespeare’s King Lear.
This year’s free, outdoor festival will welcome international artist Devon Glover (“The Sonnet Man”) during the July 18-21 Shakespeare by the Sea evening performances. The Shakespeare by the Sea July 11-14 and Shakespeare by the Palms July 25-28 performances will open with pre-show exhibitions on medieval battle presented by the SCA’s Shire of Sea March. Pre-show entertainment begins at 6:45 p.m.
Glover is a teacher, rapper, poet, playwright and actor from Brooklyn, New York. He performs Shakespeare’s sonnets through hip-hop as “The Sonnet Man” in schools and theaters worldwide.
“We are proud to welcome Devon during this year’s festival,” PBSF Producer Elizabeth Dashiell said. “The Sonnet Man will be doing outreaches during his time with us and sharing the relevance and beauty of Shakespeare’s works with our community, which goes directly toward our mission’s goals. We hope everyone can join us during our inaugural production of King Lear, and we are so grateful to both Devon and the Shire of Sea March for enhancing this spectacular production.”
Considered “one of the greatest tragedies ever performed,” this year’s production of King Lear, adapted and directed by Trent Stephens, is a premiere for Palm Beach County’s longest-running professional performing arts company.
The Shakespeare by the Sea XXXIV production takes place July 11-4 and July 18-21 at the Seabreeze Amphitheater in Jupiter’s Carlin Park. The Shakespeare by the Palms IV encore production takes place July 25-28 at the Commons Park Amphitheater in Royal Palm Beach Commons Park, located at 11600 Poinciana Blvd.
Performances start at 8 p.m. and run until 10 p.m., with a 15-minute intermission. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with pre-show entertainment. Visitors are invited to bring a beach chair, blanket and picnic basket, or enjoy on-site concessions. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5 per person.
Shakespeare by the Sea XXXIV is a co-production of the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival and Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation. Grant funding is provided by Publix Supermarket Charities and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County through the Board of County Commissioners. Shakespeare by the Palms IV is presented by the Village of Royal Palm Beach. Additional sponsors include Gary and Katherine Parr, Frank Cona and Lisa Calberg, and an anonymous donor. Learn more at www.pbshakespeare.org.
