The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to present Shakespeare in the Park featuring The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble performing Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and directed by Illana Stein. Admission is free at each of the six performances.
“Shakespeare’s works have survived the test of time and remain undeniably some of the most significant words ever written,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This summer’s tour of Romeo and Juliet in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most beloved playwright who ever lived.”
The tour of Shakespeare’s most popular romantic tragedy kicks off in the Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on Sunday, July 12 at 2 p.m.
Additional tour performances include:
Thursday, July 23 Echo Lake Park, Mountainside 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, Linden 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 30 Oak Ridge Park, Clark 7:00 p.m.
Monday, August 3 Echo Lake Park, Mountainside 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 7 Oak Ridge Park, Clark 7:00 p.m.
Pack a picnic and a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to Union County parks to enjoy the most famous love story ever written.
In the words of the Bard himself, “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and Romeo.”
Written around 1594, Romeo and Juliet has been a favorite of audiences for over 400 years.
In the hot summer streets of Verona, two idealistic teens discover love in a society consumed by senseless brutality. Filled with witty wordplay, lyric poetry, and flashy swordfights, Romeo and Juliet remains one of the most gripping and moving tragedies by William Shakespeare.
The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre’s summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre’s Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s resident and guest directors on two fully developed productions of abridged classic plays. The troupe tours to various locations throughout the state – including libraries, retirement homes and community centers.
The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey’s largest professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare’s canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.
For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.
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