“Learning Shakespeare: A Layman’s Guide” updated with “Step 3) Watch the DVD”

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Jamie

Wow, creating  this “Laymans Guide” is taking more time then I thought it would. I had started Step 3 two days ago, had it typed up for the most part, then lost half of it and had to start over again.

I love watching Shakespeare on DVD, the section “Step 3″ describes the methods I use to track down the best versions to watch. I hope you find it helpful.

Heres the link: Learning Shakespeare: A Layman’s Guide

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Learning Shakespeare: A layman’s Guide

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Jamie

I’ve had someone ask me how I got into Shakespeare, and what I do to understand a play as far as character, plot, and understanding Shakespeare’s use of language. I thought I’d just type up a short little something on the subject, but it had started to grow into something more then I intended. The more I thought about it, the more I came to believe  it deserved it’s own page, so it can grow and change with my own personal experience, as well as with others suggestions.

Here are the first two steps out of the four I use for studying a play:

Link: Learning Shakespeare: A Layman’s Guide

Filed under: bargain, essay, local, maryland, MD/VA/DC Shakespeare Happenings, shakespeare, Shakespeare Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

American Shakespeare Center Faces Budget Cuts

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Jamie

Link: VCA faces huge budget cuts

“On Feb. 21, the Virginia House of Delegates’ Appropriations Committee voted, 15-7, to cut state funding for the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) by 50 percent in 2010-11 and to eliminate the agency altogether as of July 1, 2011.”

This is really bad news for the American Shakespeare Center considering they received $96,000 last year, which is about 15% of their budget. And they are hoping to get that same amount this year.

Now I may not be the brightest bulb on the tree, so correct me if I’m wrong. But I think $96,000 is probably nothing compared to how much money the Blackfriars, and the American Shakespeare Center bring into Staunton each year, in tourist and taxes.  I’d never have even heard of Staunton if it wasn’t for the Blackfriars. To me it would have been just another small college town. But now after going to the Blackfriars several times a year over the past few years, I’ve come to love the town of Staunton. We usually will arrive on Friday night at the Microtel, and catch a play on Saturday or Sunday. The rest of the time is spent shopping in the town, or hiking around the outlying areas.

I know it seems like an easy thing to eliminate the arts any time there’s a state budget crunch, but I really do believe it will end up costing the community in the long run.

If your heading up to Staunton any time soon, here’s an blog I posted a while ago with some tips:  Staunton VA, and the American Shakespeare Center. One of the best hidden spots in the world.

Filed under: live play, local, MD/VA/DC Shakespeare Happenings, Shakespeare Maryland, Virginia | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Do you know how many Shakespeare plays you have to choose from in the DC area this week? (A shocking answer!)

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Jamie

Do you know how many Shakespeare plays you have to choose from in the DC area this week? SIX!
How cool is it to live in the Washington DC area where you get the choice of SIX Shakespeare plays performing at any one time! And at prices starting at the bargain basement price of $15.00.

Here’s the shows you can catch this week:
Richard II: (DC) Shakespeare Theater Company
Henry V: (DC) Shakespeare Theater Company
Comedy of Errors: (Baltimore MD)  The Shakespeare Factory Players
Measure for Measure: (MD) Baltimore Shakespeare Festival
And a little further out, but well worth the trip
Twelfth Night: (VA) Blackfriars Playhouse Staunton, VA
Henry VI, Part 2: (VA) Blackfriars Playhouse Staunton, VA

I’m looking forward to catching the The Shakespeare Factory Players for the first time this Saturday (Feb. 20th), performing The Comedy of Errors at the amazingly low price of $15.  I’ll also be getting my tickets within the next couple of days  to see Henry VI  at my favorite theater the Blackfriars Playhouse  in Staunton.

See the Marylandshakespeare.com calendar for more details on these and other up coming events.

Filed under: bargain, live play, local, maryland, MD/VA/DC Shakespeare Happenings, shakespeare, Shakespeare Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

2010 is starting with a BANG!!!

Posted on January 14, 2010 by Jamie

WOW!! I really, really, really need to get my 2010 calender started… This season is really starting to kick butt… Richard II, Romeo and Juliet, Comedy of Errors,  and Henry V, all within the next month, in the DC Area… Henry IV part II and Twelfth Night are only hours away.

I’ve yet to see  Romeo and Juliet live, which the Maryland Shakespeare Festival is putting on as a Bare Bard (Which are energetically awsome!) January 23rd at 8pm and Sunday, January 24th at 2pm.

Also I have not seen Henry IV part II, which will be at the Blackfriers theater in Staunton. This is part of the ongoing series performing all the Shakespeare Histories in order… Last year I was able to catch Richard II and Henry IV part I (Falstaff Rules!), and looking forward to continuing the trend.

So for now, in two weeks I will be in Frederick to see “Romeo and Juliet”

Filed under: live play, local, maryland, MD/VA/DC Shakespeare Happenings, shakespeare, Shakespeare Maryland, Washington D.C. | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

May 1-17: Othello in Manassas Virginia

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Jamie

Okay’ Now were getting down to the wire, I get married, and am going on a othello_o_pchoneymoon in a couple of weeks, and it looks like this is going to cut into a couple of plays I haven’t seen yet… O’ the choices we make!

Othello happens to be one that I haven’t seen live yet, and may not get to see anytime soon unless I can finagle some time in there.

Heres the info…

Link: VPStart Crow

Cramer Center
9008 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. Advance individual ticket sales are available only through BoxOfficeTickets.com or 800-494-TIXS. Adults are $20; Students/Seniors are $15.

Filed under: live play, local, MD/VA/DC Shakespeare Happenings, shakespeare, Virginia | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

FREE: April 23rd ASC Does Shakespeare’s Birthday plus more…

Posted on April 10, 2009 by Jamie

Shakespeares BirthdayIt seems the American Shakespeare Center would like to invite you to a special celebration of William Shakespeare’s Birthday happening on April 23rd with cake and contests , and much mirth and merriment.  RSVP requested, more details at this Link: http://www.americanshakespearecenter.com/v.php?pg=380

BUT… That’s not all, as  I was bouncing around their web  site to see what else was going on that weekend, it turns out on  Saturday the 25th they’re having their annual  “Stark Raving Sane Benefit” at 5:30 pm at the  Blackfriars Playhouse. Looks like it will be a lot of fun also, so check out that  Link: http://www.americanshakespearecenter.com/calendar.php?d=%272009-04-25%27

If you do decide to go to Staunton you can check out this prior post  for ideas about where to eat, stay etc…   Link:  Staunton VA, and the American Shakespeare Center. The best hidden spot in the world.

Filed under: bargain, FREE, MD/VA/DC Shakespeare Happenings, shakespeare, Virginia | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Malvolio’s Case Thrown Out Lady Olivia Relieved!

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Jamie

ginsburg14Malvolio  (Twelfth Night) appeared visibly shaken last night after the Supreme Court of Illyria denied him the 10 million dollars he had hoped to gain from his lawsuit against the Lady Olivia. Malvolio did take a couple of minutes to talk to the press, stating after this humiliating defeat he may “Take up an offer to go on Celebrity Surviver next season”.

“More likely VH1′s Celebrity Rehab!” said the Lady Olivia as she was seen leaving the court by a back entrance.

Links:

Verdict Handed Down – Malvolio Loses

The Shakespeare Theatre Company and REAL Supreme Court Justices stage a mock trial

Filed under: live play, local, MD/VA/DC Shakespeare Happenings, shakespeare, Virginia | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Don’t forget tonights one time only: “Malvolio’s Revenge: Mock Trial” from The Shakespeare Theater Company

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Jamie

kma_mocktrial06_2341

The Shakespeare Theater Company Link: http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/support/events/trial.aspx

Prior article link: April 6th The Shakespeare Theatre Company Presents “Malvolio’s Revenge: Mock Trial”. (Malvolio from Twelfth Night gets his day in court)

Filed under: live play, MD/VA/DC Shakespeare Happenings, shakespeare, Virginia | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

April 6th The Shakespeare Theatre Company Presents “Malvolio’s Revenge: Mock Trial”. (Malvolio from Twelfth Night gets his day in court)

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Jamie

MALVOLIO'S REVENGE!
MALVOLIO’S REVENGE!

I just watched Twelfth Night over the Winter at the Blackfriars (ASC), and thought John Harrell did a fantastic job playing  Malvolio. Now’ during this play Malvolio (John) shouts out, “I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you.” (act 5, scene 1.) Well’ It turns out, that indeed he will get a chance to be revenged on them… In court.  The Shakespeare Theatre Company is staging a mock trial where his grievances can be heard… Now here’s what cool, and why living in the DC area can have it’s advantages… Check out who the judges are for The Supreme Court of Ilyria (Ummm… Actual United States Supreme Court Justices) :

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, presiding
Justice Samuel Alito
Judge Paul R. Michel
Judge Rosemary M. Collyer
Judge Merrick B. Garland
Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg
Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh

I thought that was a pretty impressive lineup… The Tickets are $35–$50,
and Student Tickets: $20.  Jump the link for the rest of the details.

Link: http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/support/events/trial.aspx

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Filed under: live play, MD/VA/DC Shakespeare Happenings, shakespeare, Virginia | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

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