The Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (HSRT) will open its second show of the season when the contemporary comedy, "Shakespeare in Hollywood," opens on the DeWitt Theatre stage at 8 p.m. on June 23.
Commissioned by the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company, "Shakespeare in Hollywood" takes a fun look at the 1930s filming of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Hollywood. The film itself includes James Cagney and Mickey Rooney, and the play looks at the comedy created in filming Shakespeare's comedy.
Playwright Ken Ludwig's "Shakespeare in Hollywood" finds a Mickey "Puck" Rooney injured and the star planning to play Oberon walking off the set. Finding replacements could be tough until Shakespeare's original characters show up to play themselves.
Tinsel-town directors and Shakespeare's creations make for an interesting mix. Director David Colacci, who is also HSRT's artistic director, pushes the craziness even more as the actors playing Oberon and Puck will reprise their roles when HSRT opens Shakepeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" later this season.
Equity Guest Artist Mark Kincaid takes on the Oberon role, matched by Carmel Javaher's Puck. Another Equity artist, Mark Goetzinger, plays the legendary Hollywood director Max Reinhardt.
The cast also includes Christina Hall, who returns to HSRT after her outstanding role as Sour Kangaroo in last year's "Seussical." Quincy Marr, an Equity artist who is featured with the Holland Symphony Orchestra this summer in "The Best of Broadway," appears as Dick Powell.
After the June 23 opening, "Shakespeare in Hollywood" will show at 8 p.m. on June 24, 28, July 6, 10, 15, 18, 26, and August 5.
While at the ticket office, be sure to reserve tickets for the other great HSRT shows, including the musicals "Oliver!" and "Dames at Sea," and Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." "Memory House" is playing at Snow Auditorium, HSRT's space for contemporary, cutting-edge theatre. The popular cabaret show moves to Till Midnight Restaurant this year, and is the hilarious "Shakespeare Revue." The Children's Performance Troupe is presenting "Miss Nelson is Missing" and "The Rude Mechanicals."
The ticket office is located in the DeWitt Center, on the Hope College campus, at the corner of 12th Street and Columbia Avenue in Holland. Prices range from $8-$26 for musicals, and $8-$18 for plays. Season coupons, ranging from $48-$85 are also available. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and one hour before all showtimes. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 616-395-7890. For more information visit www.hope.edu/hsrt.