Cultural, Civic and Corporate Partnership Launches Bold Initiative–
Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Park District
and The Boeing Company present
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS
FREE FOR ALL
July 29–August 19, 2012
Chicago—June 12, 2012—Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), Chicago Park District and The Boeing Company
announced today plans to bring Shakespeare, FREE FOR ALL, to community
parks across the City of Chicago this summer. From Portage Park to
Humboldt Park and Austin to South Shore, this summer from July 29 to
August 19, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will break down
barriers to arts participation and give Chicagoans direct access to
their City's cultural resources by bringing free Shakespeare
performances into their neighborhoods.
"Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is a wonderful example of how arts
initiatives can succeed in bringing communities together, enhancing
quality of life through public and private partnership throughout the
city and into our neighborhoods," said Department of Cultural Affairs
and Special Events Commissioner, Michelle T. Boone. "Accessibility to
the arts is something we heard from residents throughout the city at our
many public meetings for the new 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan. This new
program is an important step in strengthening Chicago's future as a
leader in the world for arts and culture."
The new citywide arts initiative, the largest of its kind in the
history of the Chicago Park District, is made possible by a grant from
The Boeing Company, with additional support from
BMO Harris Bank,
Sara Lee Foundation, and the
Chicago Shakespeare Trust.
Lianne Stein, Vice President of Global Corporate Citizenship for The
Boeing Company, says, "As a company dedicated to innovation and new
ideas, Boeing is pleased to partner in presenting Chicago Shakespeare in
the Parks. We applaud the program's aim to activate and engage
communities through quality artistic programming, free of charge, which
will inspire residents with the works of the world's leading
playwright."
Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is inspired by the open air setting
in which Shakespeare's plays were originally performed more than 400
years ago, and Joseph Papp's twentieth century American initiative that
brought free Shakespeare to urban communities. Beginning its summer tour
on July 29 through each of the Park District regions, a traveling
production of
The Taming of the Shrew will be presented. A
specially equipped truck will roll into each park, a stage will unfold,
and a company of professional actors will perform. Parks scheduled to
be visited, rain or shine, include:
South Shore Cultural Center,
Tuley Park,
Dvorak Park,
Austin Town Hall Park,
Humboldt Park,
Douglas Park,
Welles Park,
Garfield Park Conservatory,
Ridge Park and
Frank J. Wilson Park.
"We are so pleased to welcome Chicago Shakespeare Theater to our
parks," said Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO
Michael Kelly. "This partnership creates a unique opportunity to enhance
cultural offerings at parks across the city and hopefully begin a
tradition of bringing free theatrical performances to families
citywide."
Visitors to the parks will enjoy a 75-minute, daylight production of
Shakespeare's enduring comedy about the battle between the sexes, The
Taming of the Shrew. The wildly spirited Kate and the machismo-driven
Petruchio will scream, fight and woo their way into one another's heart
in Shakespeare's verse and Elizabethan dress, underscored with original
rock-inspired music to connect contemporary audiences with the
characters' journeys.
"As Chicago's 'home for Shakespeare' for the past quarter century,
CST has delighted in introducing millions of audience members to his
timeless plays," said Barbara Gaines, Artistic Director of Chicago
Shakespeare Theater. "We are honored by this opportunity to make
Shakespeare FREE FOR ALL Chicagoans and to share his insight and humor
in a high-energy professional production, under the summer skies.
Prepare to fall in love with Shakespeare—for the first time, or all over
again!"
Adapted and staged by Jeff Award-winning director
Rachel Rockwell, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks production of
The Taming of the Shrew features
Ericka Ratcliff, performing the role of strong-willed Katharina and
Matt Mueller performing the role of Katharina's sparring partner, Petruchio. The acting company also includes:
Jeffrey Baumgartner,
Tiffany Yvonne Cox,
Max Ganet,
José Antonio García,
Eric Leonard,
Kate LoConti,
Robert Joseph Miller,
Matthew Sherbach,
Mick Weber and
Jarrod Zimmerman.
For more information on Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, visit
www.chicagoshakes.com/parks.
Summer 2012—rain or shine
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South Shore Cultural Center
Sunday, July 29 at 4:00 p.m.
7059 S. South Shore Dr.
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Tuley Park
Monday, July 30 at 3:30 p.m.
501 E. 90th Pl.
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Dvorak Park
Tuesday, July 31, 4:00 p.m.
1119 W. Cullerton St.
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Austin Town Hall Park
Wednesday, August 1, 3:30 p.m.
5610 W. Lake St.
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Humboldt Park
Friday, August 3, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 4, 4:00 p.m.
1440 N. Sacramento Ave.
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Douglas Park
Sunday, August 5, 4:00 p.m.
1401 S. Sacramento
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Gateway Park at Navy Pier
Monday, August 6, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 7, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 8, 6:30 p.m.
600 E. Grand Ave.
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Welles Park
Friday, August 10, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 11, 4:00 p.m.
2333 W. Sunnyside Ave
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Garfield Park Conservatory*
Sunday, August 12, 3:00 p.m.
300 N. Central Park Ave.
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Ridge Park*
Wednesday, August 15, 6:30 p.m.
1817 W. 96th Street
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Frank J Wilson Park
Friday, August 17, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 18, 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 19, 4:00 p.m.
4630 N. Milwaukee Ave.
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*No performance in case of rain
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