Bard's Birthday Honored at Discovery Green

UH Students Perform at Shakespeare on the Green April 24 - 26.

This month marks the Bard's birthday, and Houstonians can celebrate the legendary wordsmith's works during a new festival featuring the talents of University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance students.

The first-ever installment of Shakespeare on the Green will present free performances of "Macbeth" and "As You Like It" April 24 -26 in downtown Houston's Discovery Green. Both plays are produced and performed by students in the School of Theatre & Dance's Graduate Studio.

"These plays are fast and fun. Best of all, they are outdoors in a beautiful place, Discovery Green," said Jack Young, head of graduate acting and directing. "These particular versions of ‘Macbeth' and ‘As You Like It' are shortened a bit to appeal to families, but I have little doubt that Shakespeare fans will also have a great time."

"Macbeth," directed by Samuel Sparks, remains one of Shakespeare's most revered tragedies. This tale of the titular king's power play and subsequent plunge into madness and murder has long intrigued audiences.

"The costuming and props in this version of ‘Macbeth' contain elements of both the contemporary and the historical," Sparks said. "Picking and choosing classic and modern sets and wardrobes allowed us to capture the essential things that the play needs."

On the lighter side, "As You Like It," directed by Jonathan Gonzalez, is a romantic comedy set in a forest where some characters' appearances might be deceiving.

"Shakespeare's plays epitomize ‘big ideas in small time,'" Gonzalez said. "These productions challenge all actors, designers and directors to serve big ideas in the clearest way possible. Shakespeare is the greatest teacher for all theater artists."

For additional details on "Shakespeare on the Green," visit http://www.theatredance.uh.edu/, or see below for times and dates for each play.

 

WHAT: Shakespeare on the Green featuring "Macbeth" and "As You Like It"
WHEN: "As You Like It": 7:30 p.m., April 24 and 5 p.m., April 25
"Macbeth": 7:30 p.m., April 25 and 1 p.m., April 26
WHERE: Discovery Green
Houston, TX 77002
www.discoverygreen.com
WHO: UH School of Theatre, Discovery Green