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Shakespeare comes alive in Staunton, Virginia
The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is well known for its natural beauty. Visitors come from far and wide to hike the trails of the Shenandoah National Park and see the vibrant colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the fall -- but there's a new reason folks are flocking to the area: the theater.In 2001, Shenandoah Shakespeare, which was to become the American Shakespeare Center, opened the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia. The playhouse is a replica of Shakespeare's original indoor theater, and plans are in the works to build an open air replica of the Globe Theater as well.
Visitors to the Staunton playhouse can enjoy a rotating schedule of Shakespeare classics as well as modern plays and concert events in an atmosphere designed to recreate the Elizabethan experience. Next week marks the opening of the ASC's production of Shakespeare's Richard II:
An exploration about the nature of greatness is timely fare in an election year. Pitting Richard II, a man of words, against Bullingbrook, a man of action, Shakespeare raises the art of language to new heights while reminding us that rulers "feel want, taste greif, need friends."
There are pay-what-you-will performances on September 10, 11, and 12, while regular ticket prices start at $20. Also playing this fall are King Lear, Twelfth Night, and Measure for Measure.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joe Sep 4th 2008 1:58PM
Another Great one is the Utah Shakespearean Festival that runs in Cedar City, UT and is hours away from MANY National Parks!
Tony Sep 7th 2008 5:03PM
My wife and I discovered the ASC when visiting a high school buddy of mine who lives near Staunton. We fell in love with it the first play we saw.
We've been back a couple of times just because, and actually bought T-shirts with the Center's motto, "We do it with the Lights On"- a unique feature of the ASC, imitating the original Shakespearean practice, which lets the actors make eye contact with audience and draw them into the story. (They don't embarrass you, unless you choose to sit on the stage - another practice taken from Shakespeare's day - and even then, only in asking you some rhetorical line of dialogue.)
I've never been the kind for "culture" but these actors are awesome and really put on a good show. Beyond pulling the audience in during the performances, during the intermissions, the actors loosen up and either perform joking routines with the audiences or do a mini-rock concert in full costume.
I'd also recommend staying at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, connected to the Playhouse. My wife and I stayed at the Frederick House B&B our first visit, but opted for the Stonewall Jackson afterwards. Beautiful hotel, literally next door, and you can get a special deal on a room and plays package. Well-worth it.
Lastly, I'll also throw out a recommendation for the Pampered Palate for incredible, creative and affordable sandwiches. Stauton itself is very walkable, and this is a great place to plan on stopping in for lunch.