The Montford Park Players’ First Annual “Best of 2012″ Fundraiser and Variety Show
Jan 26th, 7:30 PM Asheville Masonic Temple
Get ready for one crazy night when the Montford Park Players throw a party. The best scenes from every play of our 2012 season, plus The Gravedigger’s Comic Stand-Up, Falstaff’s Dance Party, Cooking with Titus Andronicus, a codpiece fashion show, and much more! Come be a part of all the fun and maybe take part in the zaniest auction ever to help support our building campaign and free Shakespeare in Asheville. One night only. You can’t miss this show!
The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
April 11 – 28, 7:30 PM Thu-Sun Asheville Masonic Temple
Oscar Wilde’s hilarious satire of Victorian customs is full of farce and wit. Reflecting his belief, “That we should treat all trivial things in life very seriously, and all serious things of life with a sincere and studied triviality.” this most enduringly popular of Oscar’s plays is him at his comedic best. Its humorous commentary on tradition, marriage and the pursuit of love make for a perfect Spring evening out.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
May 9 – 26, 7:30 PM Fri – Sun Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
Can three guys really cover thirty-seven Shakespeare works in less than two hours? This fast-firing comedy parodies all of the Shakespeare plays (plus the sonnets!) with only three performers in two acts. Freshly revised every year to suit our changing world, the guys on stage make a valiant, if misguided, effort to show us all how relevant Shakespeare still is to our daily lives. How will they do it this year? Well, that anybody’s guess, but knowing them, it’s going to be a wild ride. May the Bard forgive us.
The Tempest
May 31 – June 22, 7:30 PM Fri – Sun Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
“Be not afraid. The isle is full of noises, sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not.” This tale of magic, elemental spirits and creatures, romance and comedy is one of Shakespeare’s most fantastic. Come visit the island as exiled magician Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, along with his servant spirit, Ariel, and creature, Caliban, attempt to restore his daughter, Miranda,to her rightful place and thwart his usurping brother. But could love interfere with his plans? Find out in our summer season opener, The Tempest!
The Merchant of Venice
June 28 – July 20, 7:30 PM Fri – Sun Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
Although best remembered for it’s dramatic scenes Shakespeare’s weighty tale of love, friendship, the nature of mercy, and the nature of racism is actually a comedy. Is Shylock a villian or is his vengence just? What exactly is the quality of mercy? And is all that glisters really gold? Come find out in our presentation of one of Shakespeares most important and controversial plays, The Merchant of Venice.
Love’s Labor’s Lost
July 26 – August 17, 7:30 PM Fri – Sun Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
When a group of students sworn to celibacy all fall comically in love with three beautiful ladies of the court, hilarity ensues. Throw in a heavily accented Spaniard, a country clown, a constable named Dull, and a play within a play, and you can count yourself in for a fun romp on a summer’s evening.
Hamlet
August 23 – Sept. 14, 7:30 PM Fri – Sun Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
By popular demand we present The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Often called, “The greatest play ever written in the English language”, Hamlet explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, moral corruption, duty, and madness. The play takes the audience through Hamlet’s own roller coaster of emotions from grief to rage, trickery to madness, comedy to tragedy. Come enjoy the drama as we close our summer outdoor season with Hamlet.
Othello
October 10 – 27, 7:30 PM Thu-Sun Asheville Masonic Temple
This tale of racism, love, jealousy and betrayal is another of Shakespeare’s greatest works. When his trusted ensign, Iago, convinces Othello, the Moorish general of the Venetian army, that his lieutenant is sleeping with his wife, Othello begins a slow descent into a jealous rage and leaving us with a tragedy for the ages. Featuring one of Shakespeare’s greatest villains, one of his greatest heroes, and one of his greatest love stories gone wrong, Othello is a must see classic.
A Christmas Carol
December 5 – 22, 7:30 PM Thu-Sun Asheville Masonic Temple
Our annual production of Charles Dickens’s classic tale of greed and redemption, merriness and humbuggery is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.