Illinois Shakespeare Festival

2013 Season

Next Up!!

>>> Saturday, June 8 @ 10 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts

THE MAGICAL MIND OF BILLY SHAKESPEARE

by Kevin Rich

Appropriate for children of all ages, Magical Mind provides a fun and interactive introduction to the plays of William Shakespeare.

 

>>> Thursdays, June 6 & 13 @ 8 p.m.

IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

Based on one audience suggestion (a title for a play that has yet to be written) The Improvised Shakespeare Co. creates a fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your eyes.  Nothing is planned-out, rehearsed, or written.  All of the dialogue is said for the first time, the characters are created as you watch, and if ever you're wondering where the story is going...so are they!  Come see the show TimeOut Chicago calls, "staggeringly brilliant" and "downright hilarious."  You've never seen the Bard like this before!

 Call 866-IL-SHAKE for tickets

Eat with the 'Two Blokes' between now and the show and get a coupon for $2 OFF your show admission. Find the Blokes' schedule on Facebook (Two Blokes and a Bus) and Twitter(twoblokesbus).

The Improvised Shakespeare Company hosted by Two Blokes and a Bus: Dinner service will be offered on the drive of Ewing from 5:30 - 7:30 pm; Steffan and Jon will welcome you from the stage at 8 pm.

 

 

---

On the Main Stage

COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare Two pairs of identical twins separated at birth–each pair sharing the same name–unknowingly collide in this hilarious farce of false starts, mistaken identities, and growing pandemonium! Opening Friday, July 12 @ 8:00 p.m. More information

MACBETH by William Shakespeare Returning home from victory abroad, Scottish general Macbeth encounters three witches in the woods who predict the young warrior will one day be King. Blinded by ambition, Macbeth and his wife are propelled by this prophecy into a plot to kill the reigning King Duncan and take the throne. Opening Saturday, July 13 @ 8:00 p.m. More information

FAILURE: A LOVE STORY by Philip Dawkins This beautiful, whimsical, extraordinary new play follows the three Fail sisters and Mortimer Mortimer, the man who falls in love with all three of them. Failure is a charming and witty tale of the triumph of love over loss. Opening Sunday, July 14 @ 7:30 p.m. More information

  Special Performances

THE REIGN OF KING EDWARD III by William Shakespeare Kevin Rich, the Festival’s artistic director, will read the part of Edward in The Shakespeare Project of Chicago’s staged reading of this political history play. Society reception to follow.  Monday, April 22 @ 5 p.m. More information

THE IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY Based on one audience suggestion (a title for a play that has yet to be written) The Improvised Shakespeare Co. creates a fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your eyes. Come see the show TimeOut Chicago calls, “staggeringly brilliant” and “downright hilarious.”  Thursdays, June 6 and 13 @ 8 p.m. More information

SHAME THE DEVIL! AN AUDIENCE WITH FANNY KEMBLE by Anne Ludlum This one-woman tour de force starring Lori Adams about a nineteenth-century British actress, author, abolitionist, wife and mother captivates audiences.  Don't miss this great performance! Monday, July 1 @ 7:30 p.m. More information

Free Shows

THE MAGICAL MIND OF BILLY SHAKESPEARE by Kevin Rich Appropriate for children of all ages, Magical Mind provides a fun and interactive introduction to the plays of William Shakespeare. Opening Wednesday, May 29 @ 10 a.m. More information	DOUBLE TROUBLE by Nancy Steele Brokaw Eye of a newt and wing of a bat - who’d cook up a soup containing that? The Three Witches, of course, and guess what? They’re inviting everyone - young, old, and in-between - for a free, funny, fast, fresh take on Shakes. Opening Tuesday, July 16 @ 6:30 p.m. More information	THE BALLAD OF MACBETH AND OTHER CAMPFIRE STORIES by Nancy Steele Brokaw Do you like campfires?  Ghost stories?  Cowboy songs?  Round up your pardners – young and old – and git along over to the Shakespeare  O.K. Corral on Wednesday nights. Opening Wednesday, July 17 @ 6:30 p.m. More information
TIME TO MAKE THE SHAKESPEARE The Shakespearean Globetrotters featuring the award-winning Improv Mafia will perform Time to Make the Shakespeare each Sunday evening. Opening Sunday, July 14 @ 6:30 p.m. More information	GLENN WILSON & FRIENDS Enjoy live Jazz each Friday and Saturday night and hear a variety of traditional and contemporary musical groups on Thursdays. Opening Friday, July 13 @ 6:30 p.m. More information	THE SHAKESPEAREAN GLOBETROTTERS SHAKE IT UP IN BLO-NO! The Shakespearean Globetrotters featuring the award-winning Improv Mafia will perform Time to Make the Shakespeare on the patio of Destihl Thursdays in May. Every Thursday in May @ 8 p.m. Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works - Patio More information

Events for Adopt-A-Bard-Buddy Families

MOONIE THE MAGNIF'CENT

MooNiE the Magnif'Cent is back again with slack rope walking, juggling, magic and more! MooNiE is Festival alum Phil Johnson, who has performed many times on the Festival stage (Henry VIII, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing). With experience honed over 5500 performances in nearly every conceivable venue, MooNiE's show is tight enough to work every time and loose enough to allow for whatever each unique audience brings to the show. This performance is for the Festival company and their Adopt-A-Bard-Buddy families (see below for program details and how to get involved).

Monday, July 22 @ 6:30 p.m.

The Grounds of the Ewing Cultural Center

What's New at the Festival

Introducing 'THE FLEX' Ticket

A new ticket that matches your busy lifestyle - 'THE FLEX'.

More information

Artistic Director

The Festival is pleased to welcome Kevin Rich as the new artistic director. Kevin is an Actors’ Equity member and a familar face for Festival audiences. In addition to being Artistic Director, Kevin joins the acting faculty in the School of Theatre and Dance at Illinois State University (the home of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival).

Matinees

Watch in the air-conditioned comfort of our indoor theatre (Center for the Performing Arts) during our matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays.

More information

Tourism Packages

Visiting the Festival from out of town? Select one of our all-inclusive packages that has hotel accomodations, four shows, two tours, meals, and a scholarly lecture. We have you taken care of...

CALL BRANDON at (309) 438-3586 to order your package.

Detailed Information

Courtyard Aftershow

The Festival courtyard will be open after evening shows (9:45 p.m. Sundays - Thursdays, 10:15 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays for desserts and drinks. Visit with your party about the performance and enjoy special entertainment and open-mic nights.

‘Adopt-A-Bard-Buddy’ Program

(Bard = William Shakespeare)

The Festival brings more than 100 artisans and technicians to Bloomington-Normal each year as part of the Festival company. Join us in welcoming the company by ‘adopting’ a company member for the season and participating in special events.

• Inaugural Day Dinner - Meet your ‘Bard-Buddy’ and have dinner with the company in this opening day event held at the Ewing Cultural Center. Monday, May 20th.
• Memorial Day Picnic - Join us at Ironwood Park for food and fun with the company. Monday, May 27th.
• Opening Nights Treatsfest - Surprise your ‘Bard-Buddy’ with treats and messages of encouragement during our opening weekend. Friday, July 12 - Sunday, July 14.
• MoonNiE Night Fun and Games - MooNiE the Magnif'Cent will perform for the company and guests. Join us for games and a potluck dinner. Monday, July 22.
• Preshow Dinners - Invite your ‘Bard-Buddy’ to join you for a picnic on the grounds before any show.

*Join as many or as few activities as you wish

Sign-up to participate in the Adopt-A-Bard-Buddy today!

Special Events

John Stevens Memorial Golf Outing Fundraiser

Tee off for the Bard! Dust off your clubs to support the Festival at this 11th annual event which helps fund an Actor's Equity Actor and honors one of the Festival's most beloved patrons. Play begins mid-day on June 20 at Weibring Golf Club. Contact Yvette at (309) 438-8785 to participate.

Previews – Special 2 for 1 Ticket Offer

Come with a friend to the final dress rehearsals and be the first to see this season’s productions. Tickets for Previews are 2 for 1. Previews include Comedy of Errors on July 5, Macbeth on July 6, and Failure: A Love Story on July 11.

Society Garden Reception

Join us Friday, July 12 at 6 p.m. for the 2013 Season opening reception before the premiere of Comedy of Errors. Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres in Ewing’s beautiful Genevieve Green Gardens. Hear Fight Director Paul Dennhardt discuss and demonstrate fight choreography and techniques. Tickets are $25.00.

Alumni Night

Join us on Saturday, July 20 at 6 p.m. for Alumni Night. Enjoy dinner in Ewing’s beautiful Genevieve Green Gardens, special tours and Comedy of Errors. Contact Alumni Relations for more information.

GLT Night

This top-notch evening at the Festival includes a boxed picnic dinner from the Garlic Press Market Café to enjoy on the shaded lawn of Ewing Manor. Enjoy eating with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival Company and special entertainment as actors perform a variety of green shows. Or take a self-guided walking tour of the beautiful Genevieve Green Gardens. Dessert and your choice of soda or water are included with the meal. You are also welcome to pack a bottle of wine or additional beverages to bring along in your picnic basket.

A performance of Comedy of Errors follows dinner. Your $56 admission includes dinner, dessert, green show on the lawn, and a ticket to the play, made possible by generous GLT sponsor Busey Bank. Proceeds of GLT Night benefit the Equipment Fund of public radio station WGLT 89.1/103.5 FM.