Houston Shakespeare to Present 'Labour's Lost' and 'R&J'

Two of William Shakespeare's most beloved plays - Love's Labour's Lost and Romeo and Juliet, both believed to have been written by the Bard within months of one another in 1595-96 -- will be paired this summer at the 33rd annual Houston Shakespeare Festival, July 27 to August 11 at Houston's 2700-seat Miller Outdoor Theatre (100 Concert Drive) in Hermann Park, Houston, Texas.  The Miller Outdoor Theatre is the only open-air, fully air-conditioned facility of its kind in the U.S. 
 
Directed by Dr. Sidney L. Berger, founder of the Houston Shakespeare Festival and longtime Director of the University of Houston's School of Theatre, Love's Labour's Lost kicks off the annual free Shakespeare Festival in Houston with performances beginning on Friday, July 27.  "Dr. Berger's production of Shakespeare's poetic comedy - about four noblemen who vow to pursue their studies for three years and at the same time attempt to foreswear matters of the heart - is set on the eve of World War I.  Featured in the cast are Justin Doran, Celeste Roberts and veteran Houston Shakespeare Festival company member Rutherford Cravens," state press notes.
 
Romeo and Juliet, which begins on Saturday, July 28, stars Andrew Love and Jessica Boone in Shakespeare's tragic tale of star-crossed lovers, placed in a contemporary setting and directed by Carolyn Houston Boone, an associate professor of theatre at University of Houston.
 
Members of the 2007 Houston Shakespeare Festival repertory company are Brady Alland, John Arp, Al Baker, Jessica Boone, Bob Boudreaux, Amy Bruce, Matt Carter, Melissa Davis, Justin Doran, Eric Doss, Scotty Fults, Bill Hardy, Alan Heckner, Erin Kidwell, Philip Lehl, Andrew Love, Rick Olvera, Tom Prior, Celeste Roberts, Joel Sandel, Ann Marie Siegwarth, David Wald, Bree Welch, Laura Yosowitz.
 
"Now in its 33rd season, the 2007 Houston Shakespeare Festival -- a professional theatre company founded by University of Houston's Dr. Sidney L. Berger in 1975 -- has attracted over a half million theatergoers in its recent history: a unique collaboration of the City of Houston and University of Houston School of Theatre, the annual summer two-production season attracts a broad mix of ethnic groups, young people, adults and families. In 1989, the Houston Shakespeare Festival received a special grant from the Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts and became a member of the League of Resident Theatres, the nation's professional community of Equity companies. HSF is also part of the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America, an organization co-founded by Mr. Berger that unites all Shakespeare theaters of North America. Houston Shakespeare Festival also sponsors Shakespeare Outreach which presents programs and residencies free to schools and other institutions throughout the city."
 
Lover's Labour's Lost runs Fri July 27; Thur, August 2; Sat, August 4; Wed, August 8; and Fri, August 10. Romeo and Juliet runs Sat, July 28; Wed, August 1; Fri, August 3; Thur, August 9; and Sat, August 11. All performances are at 8:30 pm at the Miller Outdoor Theatre located in Hermann Park. Performances are FREE to the public, but tickets are required for covered seating. Tickets are available (four per person) on the day of performance at the Miller Box Office between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm and again one hour before performance. All unclaimed seats are released 5 minutes before curtain.
 
For more information about Houston Shakespeare Festival, log on to www.hfac.uh.edu/theatre or call the Miller Theatre box office 713- 284-8352.

Photos courtesy of Houston Shakespeare Festival - 1) Bree Welch and Philip Lehl in Love's Labour's Lost; 2) Andrew Love and Jessica Boone in Romeo and Juliet