Century Presents Summer Shakespeare Starting June 29

Once again, it is time to enjoy Shakespeare as The Bard intended – outdoors.

The 38th season of Shakespeare & Company, Minnesota’s longest-running outdoor classical repertory theatre, begins June 29 at Century College and runs through Aug. 4. This year’s productions are The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth and The Beaux’ Stratagem.

All performances are held at Century’s Outdoor Theatre Complex on the college’s West Campus, 3300 Century Ave. N., White Bear Lake. (Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on! Snacks and a beverage, too.) Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and free for children under 12. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m., and Sundays are at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the ticket booth prior to the performance. For information, please call 651-779-5818 or visit the website at www.shakespeareandcompany.org.

Starting June 29, enjoy the following plays:

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, directed by Jeff Altier. In one of Shakespeare’s funniest comedies, the beautiful Bianca wants to get hitched, but there is one major complication. She can’t be married before her older sister Kate. And Kate, being the “shrew” of the title, wants no part of that. Enter Petruchio, who simply wants to “wive and thrive…” as long as she’s rich. Verbal and physical fireworks ensue when the two meet for the first time. Soon they’re married. But will Kate and Petruchio survive this hastily arranged marriage? Performances are June 29, June 30, July 6, July 19, July 27 and August 4.

Macbeth by William Shakespeare, directed by George M. Roesler. “By pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.” Shakespeare’s Macbeth begins its harrowing journey into the abyss of murder, witchcraft and bloody death with a prophecy by three witches that Macbeth will be King of Scotland. Fueled by ambition, he and Lady Macbeth plot an assassination that leads them down a path of paranoia and bloody demise. “I am in blood stepp’d so far…” Performances are July 5, July 7, July 13, July 21, July 26 and August 3.

The Beaux’ Strategem by George Farquhar, directed by Stu Naber. Aimwell and Archer may be gentlemen, but they are almost broke. To snare a wealthy heiress and mend their fortunes, they conceive a plot to pose as master and servant, alternating roles at each town along their way. Their plan seems to be going well when they meet the lovely Dorinda and her equally desirable sister-in-law. But an over-protective mother, a saucy innkeeper’s daughter, a spiteful husband and a band of brigands stand between them and their prey in this robust, rollicking comedy. Performances are July 12, July 14, July 20, July 28 and August 2.

Season 2013 Performance Schedule

Saturday, June 29, The Taming of the Shrew
Sunday, June 30, The Taming of the Shrew
Friday, July 5, Macbeth
Saturday, July 6, The Taming of the Shrew
Sunday, July 7, Macbeth
Friday, July 12, The Beaux’ Stratagem
Saturday, July 13, Macbeth
Sunday, July 14, The Beaux’ Stratagem
Friday, July 19, The Taming of the Shrew
Saturday, July 20, The Beaux’ Stratagem
Sunday, July 21, Macbeth
Friday, July 26, Macbeth
Saturday, July 27, The Taming of the Shrew
Sunday, July 28, The Beaux’ Stratagem
Friday, Aug. 2, The Beaux’ Stratagem
Saturday, Aug. 3, Macbeth
Sunday, Aug. 4, The Taming of the Shrew