By 1812Blockhouse
This year we’re continuing our weekly look at unique events and attractions that are within an easy driving distance of Richland County. We call these “Summer Road Trips.” Of course, we regularly feature the many extraordinary places to visit right here in Richland County and encourage our readers to get out and experience what is on offer in our own backyard.
The unique kind of summer Ohio is experiencing has meant that trips and vacations have been kept a bit closer to home, and many are emphasizing outdoor experiences.
The Ohio Shakespeare Festival is doing something important this summer — it is making works of the great bard available both in person and online.
At its current venue at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, an environment has been created to present live versions of smaller shows, with fewer actors and crew than usual. At the same time, in working with the Summer County Health Commissioner, a plan has been created to keep actors and audience members safe and socially distanced.
The list of safety measures can be accessed here.
Through August 9, the company is presenting “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield. The work presents all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in 97 minutes. According to the company, “Follow three madcap wo/men in tights as they attempt to tackle all of Shakespeare’s plays — frontwards and backwards and inside out (and socially distanced).”
The production features Ryan Zarecki, James Rankin, and Natalie Sheen.
Each evening at 6 PM, gates will open for picnicking and staggered entry, with the performance beginning at 7:30 PM. The performance will last 90 minutes without intermission.
Tickets are all pre-sale and cost $30 — $15 for those under 18. Stan Hywet is at 714 North Portage Path in Akron.
For those not wishing to attend in person, there will be a special, one night-only livestream performance of the production. This will take place in early August, and information will be available at the Ohio Shakespeare Festival Facebook Page.
Photo by Matt Riches on Unsplash
