As an outdoor theater, Shakespeare in the Park faces risk—of the weather, bugs, and airplanes passing by. But Shakespeare in the Park embraces risk: its adaptations of classic plays include moments of modernization that speak to the audience—literally: the characters wink occasional references to outdoor theater. After all, not much separates them from the audience other than the stage. Shakespeare in the Park’s theater, like its adaptations, has no boundaries.
In the past, New Haven’s Elm Shakespeare Company has performed at least one non-traditional Shakespeare adaptation as well as a second stage production in its annual Shakespeare in the Park. This year the Company goes beyond tradition by not performing any Shakespeare. Instead, the Company presents, respectively, “Holiday” by Philip Barry and “The Imaginary Invalid” by Moliere. This weekend “The Imaginary Invalid” takes the stage (“Holiday” opened the theater last weekend). After each production debuts in its own weekend, Shakespeare in the Park will alternate the two plays through the beginning of September.
That it was opening night of the Company’s conception of “The Imaginary Invalid” only added risk as I stretched my legs out in Edgerton Park last night. But the Elm Shakespeare Company, of course, welcomed that risk. In fact, Shakespeare in the Park’s outdoor theater proved perfect for the Elm Shakespeare Company: the actors’ energy would’ve been too big for a closed theater. At times their energy was even bigger than Edgerton Park. For yet another year, Shakespeare in the Park proves to be a risk worth taking.
(Occasionally I did hear crickets, but at Shakespeare in the Park, that’s a good thing.)
Elm Shakespeare Company’s website provides a complete schedule of this year’s Shakespeare in the Park. Admission is a suggested donation.
Other things you might enjoy:Tags: All Ages, Art, Dinner Theater, Elm Shakespeare Company, New Haven, New Haven Arts, New Haven County, Outdoor Activities, Outdoors Activities, Shakespeare in the Park, Theater
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