Shakespeare Festival St Louis Cuts Pre-Show Tradition

The Shakespeare Festival St. Louis usually offers theater-goers a short version of its big play before the big play begins, echoing the traditions of old. However, this summer viewers will not be as lucky, as the pre-shows have been canceled due to budget cuts.

The 'green show' or outdoor entertainment will still be provided every night before the show, complete with jugglers, fire eaters, musicians and dancers.

The elimination of the mini-show was due to a slashed budget, giving the Festival $225,000 less to use. St. Louis' situation comes with little surprise, as Milwaukee Shakespeare folded in October and Shakespeare Santa Cruz has come very close to the same fate.

Hoping for good weather, the St Louis Shakespeare Festival remains positive.

The Merry Wives of Windsor will open the festival.

"Shakespeare's plays were raucous entertainment for an open-air arena full of all walks of London life, cheering, eating and gossiping, seeing and being seen," says Matthew Arbour, who directed the Festival's 2008 production of The Tragedy of King Richard the Third. We hope you will join us in Forest Park May 20-June 14, 2009 nightly except Tuesdays for fun, frolic, and Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor."

For more info visit http://www.shakespearefestivalstlouis.org/