I spent the past weekend at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival in Jackson, Michigan. If you're going to be anywhere in the area during the next two weekends, I'd encourage you to stop by and catch a show. (You might even have cooler weather than what we did this past weekend.)
You can get the full schedule and prices here:
Michigan Shakespeare Festival
Why am I pumping it? Well, 'cause my all-time favorite actor is performing in it. My husband is playing Lennox in
Macbeth and a beatnik goldsmith, Angelo, in
Comedy of Errors. If you go, look me up, I'll be there for most of the performances. Next weekend, I'll be in the company store.
The shows:
Macbeth
The Festival is doing this as a traditional production--set in 11th century Scotland. It is quite bloody. I cried twice during the second act, despite knowing what was coming. There is some incredibly convincing acting in it. Indeed, I would say all of the acting was quite powerful. It's an impressive company. The actors playing both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have an extensive resume that includes Hollywood and Broadway credits.
Comedy of Errors
This production is set in the 50s. There are lots of bright pinks, blues, and oranges. They use a lot of 50s and 60s music as a soundtrack and there are tons of Twilight Zone references. It works rather convincingly. Even my three-year-old enjoyed it. (He tells me that Dromio is his favorite and he's been singing some of the songs that they use.)
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
Between the two shows on Saturdays and Sundays there is a kid's production. Children are free. It lasts about 45 minutes and combines "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Little Pigs." There is some audience participation and plenty of slapstick.
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