COMEDY OF ERRORS

by William Shakespeare

Antipholus and his servant Dromio live in the town of Ephesus, but Antipholus and his servant Dromio have just arrived in Ephesus. 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! Shakespeare's silliest comedy is also a heart-warming story of families reuniting under the most unusual circumstances.

Opening Friday, July 12 @ 8:00 p.m.

The Theatre at Ewing and The Center for the Performing Arts

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. Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, Macbeth is the harrowing tale of a hero-turned-tyrant's attempt to take fate into his own bloodstained hands. This scary thriller is a fitting choice for the Summer of 13!

Opening Saturday, July 13 @ 8:00 p.m.

The Theatre at Ewing and The Center for the Performing Arts

FAILURE: A LOVE STORY

by Philip Dawkins

This beautiful, whimsical, extraordinary new play follows the three Fail sisters – who live in a clock shop, love each other dearly, and all happen to die in the very same year – and Mortimer Mortimer, the man who falls in love with all three of them. Set in 1928 Chicago and featuring a quirky chorus of musicians, animals and talking furniture, Failure is a charming and witty tale of the triumph of love over loss.

Opening Sunday, July 14 @ 7:30 p.m.

The Theatre at Ewing and The Center for the Performing Arts

THE REIGN OF KING EDWARD III

by William Shakespeare

Most modern scholars have concluded that The Reign of King Edward III was a collaborative effort between Shakespeare and one of his Elizabethan contemporaries (Thomas Kyd). 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.

The Center for the Performing Arts

A PLAY THAT HAS YET TO BE WRITTEN

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!

Thursdays, June 6 and 13 @ 8 p.m.

The Theatre at Ewing

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.  Fanny's story unfolds on and off the stage in England and America, from her glorious acting debut in London and subsequent tour of America to her exit from the stage to marry an American slaveholder, Mr. Pierce Butler.

Monday, July 1 @ 7:30 p.m.

The Theatre at Ewing

Free Shows

THE MAGICAL MIND OF BILLY SHAKESPEARE

by Kevin Rich

In 1575, a friar visits the town of Stratford and discovers a lot of talent in that little town.  Not only is a group of actors rehearsing a play they'd like to perform for the Queen, there's also a young boy named Billy Shakespeare who is full of ideas for plays he'd like to write someday.  When Billy and the actors team up to bring some of these ideas to life, everybody is surprised at what they discover! Appropriate for children of all ages, Magical Mind provides a fun and interactive introduction to the plays of William Shakespeare.

Wednesdays & Saturdays beginning May 29 @ 10 a.m.

Wednesdays: The Grounds of the Ewing Cultural Center
Saturdays: Lincoln Park @ BCPA (June 1, 8, 15, 29); Bloomington Farmers Market (June 22); Ewing Cultural Center (July 3 - August 10)

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. Tuesday evenings, on the Grounds. Audience participation! Puppets! Real Shakespeare words! And guess who else is coming? A stuck-up Egyptian Queen, a confused Prince, and a very odd fellow named Bottom. Bring the family and watch, too! Soup's on!

Tuesdays beginning July 16 @ 6:30 p.m.

The Grounds of the Ewing Cultural Center

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.  We'll have a cowboy-boot-stomping, rip-snortin' good time.  Learn about the Festival's three shows, sing-around style.  Happy trails!

Wednesdays beginning July 17 @ 6:30 p.m.

The Grounds of the Ewing Cultural Center

TIME TO MAKE THE SHAKESPEARE

The Shakespearean Globetrotters featuring the award-winning Improv Mafia will perform Time to Make the Shakespeare each Sunday evening. This side-splitting improv show is fun for the whole family - caution, drinking beverages during the performance may cause nasal irritation!

Sundays beginning July 14 @ 6:30 p.m.

The Grounds of the Ewing Cultural Center

GLENN WILSON & FRIENDS

Enjoy live Jazz each Friday and Saturday night and hear a variety of traditional and contemporary musical groups on Thursdays.

Thursdays - Saturdays beginning July 12 @ 6:30 p.m.

The Grounds of the Ewing Cultural Center

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. Don't miss the chance to laugh-along with a great craft beer in your hand.

Every Thursday in May @ 8 p.m.

Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works - Patio