Shakespeare at the Lake cast and crew prepare for weekend ‘As You Like it’ production
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The work of the greatest playwright will once again light up Library Park this weekend when the third annual Shakespeare at the Lake presents “As You Like It.”
The play will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29.
This year's play is brought to the community by Mendocino College and the Lake County Theatre Co., in cooperation with the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College and the city of Lakeport.
Putting on a production of this size is, without a doubt, a group effort. Aside from the 20 actors, all of whom are enrolled in a performance class at the college, there are dozens of behind the scenes players who help make the dream of an outdoor Shakespearean experience a reality.
Producers, directors, set designers, scene painters, costumers, lighting and sound operators, stage managers, publicity coordinators, and security guards (to watch over the set and tech equipment overnight in the park) all play an important role in the production.
The cast and crew have worked tirelessly for the past few months and they are excited to present the play to a live audience.
The first two years of the project were crowd-pleasing sensations. Audiences in the hundreds flocked to the idyllic setting in Library Park to enjoy “A Midsummer Night's Dream” in 2016 and “Much Ado About Nothing” in 2017.
Thanks to its success during the first two years, Shakespeare at the Lake, under the direction of Mendocino College theater instructor John Tomlinson, earned the award for “Best New Idea” at the 2017 Stars of Lake County.
Unlike the more traditional presentations of the past two years, this year's play will break away from the Renaissance era and embrace a much later rebirth: the 1960s.
Peace-loving, forest-dwelling hippies will tell the story of corrupt royalty, banishment, mistaken identity and, of course, plenty of love to go around. You may even hear some of your favorite groovy 60s tunes throughout the production.
Concessions, including hot dogs and bratwurst, fresh salads, cookies, and local beer and wines, will be for sale before and during the performance. Don't forget to bring a chair.
For more details about the production visit www.lctc.us.