Theatre Review: Twelfth Night by Independent Shakespeare Company

Long-time readers know how much I love the Independent Shakespeare Company. They have a vibe that throws caution (and convention) to the wind. They bring an energy and interaction with the audience that is simply infectious. So the bar is pretty freakin’ high whenever I see one of their shows. And last night, I went to see this summer’s free production of Twelfth Night in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park.

High bar. High expectations.

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not-quite-Media Thursday: As You Like It at American Shakespeare Center

OK, so it’s been a while since I waxed rhapsodic over the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Virginia (last week’s announcement about their Shakespeare’s New Contemporaries competition was more about me than it). Not that I’ve ever been there, but I totally dig their mission, and the podcasts by Ralph Cohen. Guy has the professional life I covet.

So when I was on the site last week to check out the SNC stuff, what caught my eye was this…

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As You Like It character map

I know, it’s been a looooooong time since the last infographic, but preproduction on the new As You Like It show has stopped the drought!

Check out the brand spankin’ new As You Like It character map…

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As You Like It… a flashback

As You Like It.

Four years ago,  I was just returning from a three-year break from the Project. And the first play to get a discussion at that point was As You Like It.

And I’ve been thinking about that play a little lately.

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Theater Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Theatricum Botanicum

Yesterday, Lisa and I checked out this summer’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Theatricum Botanicum. This is the stage company who produced the Coriolanus I saw last week.

And what we have here is a study in contrasts… Where Coriolanus–a tragedy–was heavy, Midsummer was light. Intense vs fun.

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Stage Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Toil and Trouble Burlesque

Two nights ago, my wife Lisa and I caught Toil and Trouble Burlesque‘s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We had an absolute blast.

Now if you look up “burlesque,” you may find something like this: Continue reading “Stage Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Toil and Trouble Burlesque”

Friday Non-Film Focus: The Two Gentlemen of Verona by Independent Shakespeare Company

It’s August and a Friday, which means a new summer blockbuster is being released… but honestly in all the business of the week, I haven’t a clue as to what’s opening…but that doesn’t matter. I’m here to talk about what does: Independent Shakespeare Company’s production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, running through September 3 in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park…for FREE.

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Theater review: Love’s Labor’s Lost by Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival

Last night, Lisa and I caught Love’s Labor’s Lost by Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival at the start of its closing weekend on the campus of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. Now, those of you who have been around since (near) the beginning of this project probably know how I feel a out Love’s Labor’s Lost. Not a huge fan (it ranks down in the lower quarter of my favorite plays). People who’ve been around nearly as long also know how I feel about Kingsmen. A big fan.

So which wins out?

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Cymbeline: A daughter by any other name…

There’s a wonderful little theory or legend concerning Cymbeline, and more importantly his daughter.

Innogen.

Yeah, not a typo.

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The Bill / Shakespeare Project Brush with Awesomeness: Patton Oswalt

OK, so a couple of nights back, I had the coolest Shakespeare geek experience…

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