Join Shakespeare Dallas for the beloved summer tradition Shakespeare in the Park from June 13 through July 20 at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater. The 53rd festival features The Importance of Being Earnest and Othello.
The Importance of Being Earnest is directed by Jenni Stewart with shows beginning at 8:30 p.m. After opening weekend June 13-14, Earnest performances are Wednesdays-Fridays through July 18. The witty romantic comedy by Oscar Wilde tells the story of two men who assume the identities of a fictional man named Ernest. This leads them to fall in love and encounter an assortment of comical problems along the way.
The cast of The Importance of Being Earnest includes Tommy Stuart as Jack, Brandon Whitlock as Algernon, Caitlin Chapa as Gwendolyn, Lily Gast as Cecily, Nicole Berastequi as Lady Bracknell, Elizabeth Evans as Miss Prism, David Helms as Lane/Merriman, and Clay Wheeler as Chasuble.
Brandon Whitlock, Lil Gast, Caitlin Chapa, Tommy Stuart perform The Importance of Being Earnest. Photo by Jordan Fraker
Othello is a Shakespearean tragedy directed by Montgomery Sutton showing at 8:30 p.m. After opening weekend June 20-22, Othella performances are on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through July 20. Othello is at the peak of his powers: not only Venice’s greatest general but also husband to the noble and beautiful Desdemona. But he does not know that in passing over his servant Iago for promotion, he has created a deadly-but brilliant- enemy. This production gets a modern twist as it is set in an alternate history version of the 1990s in which the Venetian empire is the predominant political, military and economic power.
The cast of Othello includes Henry Okigbo as Othello, Eliezer William as Iago, Marisa Duran as Desdemona, Jasonica Moore as Aemilia, Ray Patterson as Rodorigo, Carson Wright as Cassio, Sienna Castaneda Abbott as Bianca, Michael Johnson as Brabantio, Ben Bryant as Doge, Brandon Wetch as Montano, Dennis Raveneau as Ludovico, and Eric Garcia, Omar Valdez Rocha, Luis Aleman Alvarez, Zay Driver, and Kayla Temshiv in the ensemble.
The amphitheater is located at1500 Tenison Parkway. Gates open at 7:30 pm for general admission and performances begin at 8:30 pm. The run time is approximately two hours and includes a 15-minute intermission. Patrons are welcome to bring in chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, food, beer, and wine. Tickets start at $20 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors. Click here for tickets.
For more than 50 years, Shakespeare Dallas has entertained North Texas with exciting and accessible indoor and outdoor theatre, integrated school programs, community events, and cultural enrichment. Performing for more than 25,000 attendees each year, Shakespeare Dallas is best known for the beloved Shakespeare in the Park series, producing quality works the way Shakespeare was meant to be enjoyed: under the stars. For more information about Shakespeare Dallas, visit shakespearedallas.org.
