Lewes library to celebrate Shakespeare400 Sept. 12-17
The Lewes Public Library is celebrating Shakespeare400, marking the 400th anniversary of his death and celebrating the beginning of his legacy with a series of events Monday, Sept. 12 through Saturday, Sept. 17.
Two Shakespeare: From Page to Stage workshops are set Monday, Sept. 12. The first free workshop is for adults from 3 to 4 p.m. at the library. Led by Brown Box Theatre Project Artistic Director Kyler Taustin, this interactive discussion on acting Shakespeare uses the text from one of his lesser-known works, "Cymbeline," aka "Cymbeline, King of Britain." Attendees will learn from the director what goes into bringing Shakespeare to life and his thoughts on this year's production by Brown Box. Preregistration is required. The workshop is limited to 30 participants.
In the second free workshop from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., teens can shake it with Shakespeare and the cast of "Cymbeline." Teens age 12 years and up are invited to join Brown Box Theatre Project in acting and discussing Shakespeare's "Cymbeline." Attendees will learn what it takes to be a member of a Brown Box production and get an inside look at the process for the annual Free Shakespeare Tour. Preregistration is required. The workshop is limited to 30 participants.
Dinner in the Stacks highlights Shakespeare Festival
By Nick Roth
Shakespeare will be centerstage at the new Lewes Public Library Friday, Sept. 16, as actors will perform vignettes from the 16th century poet and playwright's boundless collection at the inaugural Shakespeare Dinner in the Stacks.
The dinner is one of several events the library will host as part of its Shakespeare Festival, running Monday, Sept. 12 through Saturday, Sept. 17.
The dinner will include a cocktail hour, a family style dinner from Fork + Flask at Nage, dessert and then an auction. Among items up for auction are original pieces by local artists Steve Rogers, Barbara Lloyd and Nick Serratore. Actors from the Possum Point Players troupe New Faces of Shakespeare will perform for dinner guests as they dine among the book stacks in the new library.
The idea for the unique dinner show originated with library board President Beckie Healey, who thought it could be a fun event for the library to host. Space in the old library was limited, and the new building was already well underway, so they held off on the event until 2016, which also happens to be the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.
The festival will be the first major event to be held at the new library.
“This is part of the community concept we've been aiming for with this new building,” she said. “This is a terrific venue for this sort of event.”
The plan, she said, is for the Shakespeare Festival to go on for many years.
Tickets for the dinner are $125 per person. Folks may reserve tables of eight, 10 or 12, but single tickets are also available and be purchased at the circulation desk in the library or at www.ticketleap.com.
For more information, call the library at 302-645-2733.
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society will present a feature film adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy "Macbeth" at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Cinema Art Theater in Dartmouth Plaza behind the Lewes Wawa. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door for $9 per person. This 2015 feature-length film stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.
The celebration continues at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14 with a discussion, "Will's Wonders Never Cease" led by Dr. William Zak, retired professor of English at Salisbury University and author of books about a number of Shakespeare plays and sonnets. The lecture is followed by audience discussion. This event is free and open to the public.
The world's largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare is at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., and the Lewes library is offering a bus trip to visit it Thursday, Sept. 15. A coach bus will leave the Lowe's parking lot at 7:30 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. This trip includes a 10 a.m. tour of the Folger Theatre and Museum.
Attendees will have lunch on their own at the Capitol Visitor Center, then they have the opportunity to visit the Library of Congress to see its Shakespeare collection or take a guided tour of the United States Capitol courtesy of the office of Sen. Thomas Carper. Cost for the trip is $40. Space is limited. To reserve a spot, go to www.TicketLeap.com or purchase tickets at the Lewes library circulation desk.
The library will hold one of the first major events in its magnificent new building Friday, Sept. 16. Shakespeare Dinner in the Stacks features the New Faces of Shakespeare, an acting troupe from Georgetown's Possum Point Players, performing vignettes during a dinner with Shakespeare-themed tables set up throughout the building. Fork + Flask at Nage is catering this special event, which is followed by a live auction. All proceeds from the evening benefit the new library.
Only 100 tickets are available for purchase at $125 per person. Tables seating eight, 10 or 12 are available, as are event sponsorships. To make reservations, visit www.TicketLeap.com or purchase a ticket at the library circulation desk.
The week's celebration culminates at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, with a live, outdoor performance by Brown Box Theatre Project of Shakespeare's "Cymbeline, King of Britain." When Imogen's father banishes her soulmate, the princess must embark on a quest to prove her fidelity, escape her stepmother's dastardly plot, and reclaim her love.
"Cymbeline" is brimming with forbidden romance, mistaken identities, jealousy, vile trickery, poison, disguises and epic swordfights. A theatrical feast that defies genre lines, "Cymbeline" delicately blends tragedy, comedy and romance into an enchanting and unforgettable Shakespearean fairytale. This performance is free and takes place in the outdoor area behind the Library. In case of inclement weather, the performance will be in the library's large meeting room.
For more information, go to www.leweslibrary.org or call 302-645-2733.
