Paranoia, anger, and treachery! King Leontes of Sicilia is convinced that his childhood friend, King Poixenes of Bohemia, is having an affair with his pregnant wife, Hermione. He destroys his family and abandons his newborn daughter. Sixteen years later, can time bring healing and reconciliation?
Fun, love, and laughs! Duke Theseus of Athens is about to marry Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons. In other words, it’s time for a four-day, blowout party with fairies and actors in the woods. Can a mischievous nymph keep order?
The Hip to Hip Theatre Company is back for a 17th year with two Shakespeare plays – The Winter’s Tale and A Midsummer Night’s Dream – this summer. The Woodside-based troupe will offer them in parks in Queens, Jersey City, and Southampton from Wednesday, Aug. 7, to Saturday, Aug. 24.
All the shows are free, and no registration is required. Of course, a picnic and fold-out chairs would add to the experience.
The schedule follows.
Aug. 7, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sunnyside Gardens Park, 48-21 39th Ave., 7:30 pm
Aug. 8, The Winter’s Tale, Crocheron Park, 35th Avenue and Corbett Road, Bayside, 7:30 pm
Aug. 9, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing, 7:30 pm
Aug. 10, The Winter’s Tale, Gantry Plaza State Park, 4-09 47th Rd., Long Island City, 7:30 pm
Aug. 11, The Winter’s Tale, Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, 5 pm
Aug. 14, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Newport Green, 14th Street and River Drive, Jersey City, 7 pm (Rain date: Aug. 20)
Aug. 15, to be announced
Aug. 16, The Winter’s Tale, Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 28th Ave., Flushing, 7:30 pm
Aug. 17, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gantry Plaza State Park, 4-09 47th St., Long Island City, 7:30 pm
Aug. 18, to be announced
Aug. 21, The Winter’s Tale, Sunnyside Gardens Park, 48-21 39th Ave., 7:30 pm
Aug. 22, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Crocheron Park, 35th Avenue and Corbett Road, Bayside, 7:30 pm
Aug. 23, The Winter’s Tale, Agawam Park, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton, 7:30 pm
Aug., 24, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Agawam Park, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton, 7:30 pm
Workshops for children are offered 30 minutes before each show. Youngsters can meet the actors, preview the script, and learn about the characters.
Hip to Hip is a labor of love founded by two people who are in love: married couple Jason and Joy Marr. The Woodside residents work on just about every aspect of the productions with a repertory cast that includes Neev Bar-David, Konnor Brown, *Chaunice Chapman, *Nicole Marie Hunt, Dayron Leon, Axel Marr, Bree Marr, *Jason Marr, *Joy Marr, Mikaya Martin, *Nancy Nichols, Parmeet Singh, and *Stephanie Jeane Touissant (*Actors Equity Association).
David Frederick Mold is the director of The Winter’s Tale, while Jason Marr directs A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The production team includes Anna Belden (Assistant Director), Timmy Costello (Production Stage Manager), Terry Chun (Sound Designer), Kiki Sanchez (Costume Assistant), Mikayla Carleo (Costume Assistant), and Julian Voloj (Photographer). Nancy Nichols is in charge of the costumes.
Images: Hip to Hip