Marin Shakespeare Company has announced it will open its 2012 outdoor summer festival season on July 13th with King John.
The rousing story of battle for the English throne, the rarely performed King John is an action-packed history play full of humor, drama and pathos when King John is asked to renounce his throne in favor of his nephew Arthur. Against a backdrop of shifting fortunes, politics and family dynamics, Shakespeare reveals human complexity and fallibility in this compression of history.
Directed by Lesley Schisgall Currier, Marin Shakespeare Company offers its summer festival of three plays presented under the stars in its outdoor venue, Dominican University of California’s Forest Meadows Amphitheatre in San Rafael, Calif.
In the Victorian era, King John was one of Shakespeare’s most frequently staged plays, in part because its spectacle and pageantry were congenial to Victorian audiences. It has been staged four times on Broadway, the last time in 1915. It has also been staged four times from 1953 to 2010 at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
The MSC summer festival features a variety of special events and discounted ticket options including “Pay What You Will” preview performances. Marin Shakespeare offers free onsite parking and is located near public transit. Theater, featuring comfortable bench seating, opens one hour prior to show time for picnicking.
If you go: Bring your own picnic or purchase snacks at the Theatre Café. Warm clothing, jackets, blankets recommended for evening performances.
King John
by Marin Shakespeare Company
~ JULY ~
Friday July 6, 8 PM – King John Pay What You Will Preview
Saturday July 7, 8 PM – King John Preview
Sunday July 8, 8 PM – King John PreviewFriday July 13, 8 PM – King John Opening / Pre-Show Conversation
Saturday July 14, 8 PM – King John
Sunday July 15, 8 PM – King JohnSaturday July 21, 8 PM – King John
Sunday July 22, 4 PM – King John Senior Day Matinee- Senior Tickets $15
Friday July 27, 8 PM – King John Pre-Show Conversation
Sunday July 29, 8 PM – King John Post-show Q&A~ AUGUST ~
Saturday Au 4, 8 PM – King John
Sunday Au 5, 4 PM – King John Family Day Matinee – Youth 18 & under FREEFriday Au 10, 8 PM – King John Pre-Show Conversation
Saturday Au 11, 8 PM – King John
Sunday Au 12, 8 PM – King John Closing
