GENEVA | Free Shakespeare in the Park Event Returns to Geneva August 3 at New Venue

Free, Family-Friendly Play with Preshow Story Time for Kids, Contests and Food Vendors Featured at Geneva Shakespeare in the Park

Geneva’s beloved free, family-friendly Shakespeare in the Park performance returns on Aug. 3 at a new venue. Due to flooding in Island Park, the event will be held at Geneva’s Sunset Park, just south of Sunset Community Center.

Goodly Creatures Theatre will perform “Twelfth Night,” a play about the hilarious and heartbreaking consequences of mistaken identity. The performance starts at 6 p.m. and runs about 90 minutes without intermission.

Seating begins at 4 p.m. Guests should bring chairs and blankets for seating. Pack a picnic or purchase sandwiches, drinks and ice cream from Stockholm’s and Graham’s.

At 5 p.m., The Republic of Letters will host a story time for kids read by local children’s author, Leo Zarko. At 5:30 p.m. contests will be held for the most elaborate picnic and for the audience member who traveled the greatest distance to attend the event.

“Twelfth Night” begins as Viola, shipwrecked in a foreign land, decides the best way to survive is to dress as a boy. She works for a duke who is hopelessly in love with a countess. He sends Violain disguise to woo the countess on his behalf. The countess becomes smitten with Viola in disguise, who in turn, becomes smitten with the duke but is unable to share her feelings for fear of blowing her cover.

Meanwhile, there’s another young man about town who looks suspiciously like Viola. It’s her twin, Sebastian, whom she thought perished in the shipwreck. Comedy and confusion ensue when Viola in disguise and Sebastian are mistaken for each other.The countess’ servants scheme to play a prank on a fellow servant with hilarious results.

The play is suitable for all ages and even audience members brand-new to Shakespeare will enjoy the comedy, said Goodly Creatures director Katrina Syrris. “Our mission is to make The Bard accessible to all, and so we ensure that we use our body language and comic opportunities to propel the story forward. Delivery is everything!”

Shakespeare included those comic elements of farce, hilarious interactions and punchlines to amuse his audiences, Syrris added.

Plus themes in the play are applicable to modern audiences, said Kristina Drendel, who plays Viola. The play “shows how truly absurd love and coming of age can be, whether it’s (seemingly) unrequited love, or confusion about what you're looking for, everyone can reflect on their own mishaps in romance and growing up.”

The modern viewer can learn the value of an open mind and an open heart, Syrris said, “and most importantly, the freedom that comes with not taking yourself so seriously!”

As always, admission to the play is free and voluntary donations are accepted.

Shakespeare in the Park is presented by Waubonsee Community College, Geneva Foundation for the Arts and Geneva Park District. It is also sponsored by Graham's Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream, Stockholm's Restaurant & Brewery, Geneva Concours d'Elegance, The State Bank of Geneva, The Republic of Letters and Tim Nelson, Architect Ltd.

For more details on the event, visit https://genevaartscenter.org/events or follow Geneva Shakespeare in the Park on Facebook.

Geneva Shakespeare in the Park

Date: Saturday, Aug. 3

Time: 6 p.m. (seating at 4:30 p.m.)

Place: Sunset Park, 701 Western Ave., Geneva

Free, family-friendly play with preshow story time for kids, contests and food vendors. Donations accepted. More information at https://genevaartscenter.org/events