Prepare for Shakespeare in Charles City this weekend

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The “Renaissance Experience” will begin at 6 p.m. Friday.

Charles City High School is doing something a little bit different this year for its spring play.

“Shakespeare in the Park,” a series of short vignettes excerpted from the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare, will be this weekend, and the actors and directors are hoping for an evening the entire community can enjoy.

The shows are 6 p.m. Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12. Unfortunately, weather hasn’t cooperated, so the “park” will have to be under a roof, at least on Friday.

It was announced late Wednesday that Friday night’s show will be moved inside to Trinity United Methodist Church in Charles City. The initial plan was to have the event at the Riverside Amphitheater in Charles City Whitewater Park.

The location for Saturday night’s show will be determined on Friday. Tickets cost $5 for adults, $3 for students.

“We thought it would be really cool, to have a unique experience and move it outdoors,” said director Alexis Finder, who added that the drama department will add a few more things to the event, such as a coloring contest and face painting. Finder said the show will be kid-friendly and engaging for the community.

The show will feature scenes and sonnets from a variety of Shakespeare’s work, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Comedy of Errors,” “Taming of the Shrew,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” “Richard III,” “Richard II,” “Othello,” “Henry V” and more.

The different scenes were put together by assistant director Mike Lembke.

“This is going to be a play they have never seen before, but it’s something I think they will truly love and hold dear to their heart,” Finder said.