Boston’s Brown Box Theatre Project and artistic director Kyler Taustin set to stage classic romantic comedy in Exmore Town Park
EXMORE, VA —Exile. Banishment. Disguise. Chance encounters and romantic entanglements. Shakespeare’s As You Like It is a comedy that weaves many themes— including love and friendship in all its forms—into a series of merry events. This popular Shakespearian work has been selected for Exmore’s 2nd Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park production, set for Friday, September 21, 2018, at 7:30 p.m.
Presented in partnership with Boston’s Brown Box Theatre, Kyler Taustin, artistic director, Exmore’s Free Shakespeare in the Park series aims to make professionally staged theatre accessible to all ESVA residents, guests and visiting tourists by staging free events outdoors in the casual, family-friendly setting of the Exmore Town Park.
Much of the action in As You Like It takes place in the woods of the Forest of Arden and many directors, including Kyler Taustin, prefer staging this play outdoors. Exmore’s spacious, leafy Town Park is the ideal setting. The atmosphere with the backdrop of trees is informal and there are picnic spots, playground areas for children and plenty of space to accommodate large audiences. Exmore’s inaugural Free Shakespeare in the Park, a full-length production of Hamlet, drew over 300 people from all over the Eastern Shore, and beyond. An even larger turn-out is expected this year.
As You Like It is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, and the source for one of the his most recognized lines: “All the world’s a stage, / and all the men and women merely players.” That line might serve as a summation of this comedy, which is rich with fantasy, roleplaying and gender-bending costumes. Throughout the five acts, many questions are raised and bantered about by the characters, but rather than establishing answers, Shakespeare presents several points of view, leaving it to the audience to formulate their own answers. In other words, life can be this or that depending on how you look at it—and how you look at it is your choice: As You Like It.
Shakespeare’s plays are part of our cultural heritage, yet they are rarely accessible to residents away from established urban centers. The Town of Exmore and the Brown Box Theatre Project are working to correct that; expanding the reach of professional performing arts to smaller, more rural communities by bringing the best in performance, design, and collaboration to communities that, like those here on the Eastern Shore, may be underserved or too far off the grid for most professional touring groups.
“These performances are intended for everyone on the Eastern Shore, and they are presented compliments of the Town of Exmore,” said Exmore Town Manager Robert Duer. “As You Like It is a follow-on to our 2017 premiere event, Hamlet. By continuing to bring the classics to life here in our Town Park, we are hoping to establish Exmore as a cultural and entertainment anchor for the Eastern Shore region.”
Prior to the play, the Broadwater Academy chorus, under the direction of Ms. Ally Tarwater will perform a free concert. These talented students will take the stage at 6:30 pm. To enjoy the evening, just bring a lawn chair or blanket, and picnic basket or cooler if you like. There’s ample free parking, but plan to arrive early. A large turn-out is anticipated.”
The Exmore Town Park is located at 3330 Main Street, and is within minutes of Exmore’s downtown, and three national hotel chains. For more information, email visitexmore@exmore.org or check the Town of Exmore’s Facebook Page, http://tinyurl.com/y8g6lkuq.
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