Merced Shakespearefest is still Merced’s local Shakespeare company after 22 years, and yet the productions are getting more and more regional.
Cast members and directors have come from all over the middle Central Valley. The upcoming staging of the popular comedy “As You Like It” is a good example.
The show opens this Saturday, June 17, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the MOAT (outdoor stage) in Merced’s beautiful Applegate Park. It will also be performed on Sunday, June 18 at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 24, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and again on Sunday, June 25, at 6 p.m. And it is FREE for all. There is plenty of room on the lawn at the park.
The director is Michael Lynch, retired Drama Professor from Modesto Junior College; the fight choreographer of the exciting wrestling match in Act I is Ambrose Mac. Both live in Modesto. The two romantic leads, Briana Garcia as Rosalind and Jeffry Jackson as Orlando, are also spending a lot of time on the road, both hailing from the Turlock area. Their witty banter and romantic poetry push the story forward to the happy ending.
The cast has worked for six weeks, sometimes with five rehearsals per week, to put on a wonderful show for the audience. Some of them, about half of the cast, reside in Modesto, Waterford, Ripon, Turlock, Denair, Los Banos, and Dos Palos.
It takes a lot of dedication and passion to spend these many weeks to pursue a polished performance. Merced Shakes leadership is very proud to attract that many artists from afar, and of course, from Merced.
Come out to see the show, bring blankets or low chairs!
For more information go to www.mercedshakespearefest.org or call (209) 723 3265.