South Brooklyn Shakespeare to Present TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL

Now in its fourth year presenting free Shakespeare in the streets of Park Slope, South Brooklyn Shakespeare (SBS) has announced its 2016 season: Four FREE performances of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will in Park Slope, kicking off with opening night serving as the main event of Park Slope Fifth Avenue's Summer Strolls performed on Fifth Avenue at 18th Street (7/23) plus three performances outside The Old Stone House (8/4, 5 & 6).

The production of Twelfth Night is the culmination of a long-held dream, marking South Brooklyn Shakespeare's first full season as a 501(c)(3). SBS founders/producers/directors Paul Molnar and Dee Byrd-Molnar first brought free outdoor Shakespeare to their South Slope neighborhood in 2013 with A Midsummer Night's Dream staged in a parking lot across from South, the bar they own on Fifth Avenue and 17th Street. That production drew an audience of 300. Since then it's grown considerably with free outdoor productions of Romeo & Juliet (2014) and Much Ado About Nothing (2015) drawing crowds in the thousands.

SBS' production of Twelfth Night is a perfect fit for a street party like Summer Strolls. It presents an Equity cast of 17 actors dressed in 1940s Film Noir period costumes with professional lighting and amplification. "Film Noir awakens an air of shadow and mystery," says Molnar. "Illyria begins as a drab colorless place of grief and longing which transforms, once love is allowed to bloom, into a bright and vibrant world." The 2016 season also marks South Brooklyn Shakespeare's launch of its Educational Outreach Programs with Sunset Park Prep, a New York City Public School. "With support from the teachers and the administration, we will work with the kids on everything involved with a Shakespeare production from the text, set, lighting, costumes, props, music and producing."

Opening night of Twelfth Night at Park Slope's Fifth Avenue Summer Stroll is set for 6:30, with bars and restaurants on the street serving drinks and dancing permitted outdoors from 5-9pm each night. Playgoers can bring their own chairs and blankets; a limited number of folding chairs will be available.

Production team: Director: Paul Molnar, Co-Director: Dee Byrd-Molnar, Technical Director: Aris Paganakis, Production Stage: Manager Lindsay M. Stringfellow*, Sound: "Gypsy" George Mihalopoulos, Lighting: Leon Chase, Costumes: Pete Ascolese & Phoebe Minardi, Movement & Dance: Emma Cotter, Fight Director: Paul Molnar, Crew Chief: L.A. Jones, Front of House & Scenic Assistant: Alyssa Ruggiero, Photographer: Justin Bereman, Poster Design: Eric Adams

Cast: Sir Andrew: Arthur Aulisi*, Malvolio: John Bergdahl, Maria: Dee Byrd-Molnar, Officer (Cornell U/S): Matt Clifford, Antonio: Brian Flanagan, Sir Toby: Brad Fryman*, Musician: "Gyspy" George Mihalopoulos, Valentine: Al Patrick Jo, Olivia: Alix Jones*, Viola: Heather Kelley*, Priest/Curio: Cornell McIntosh, Orsino: Paul Molnar*, Servant: Lisha Nadkarni, Fabian: Katie Osborn, Captain/Officer: Jesse Sneddon, Sebastian: Kevin Stanfa*, Feste: Bethany Weise*.

*Actors Appear Courtesy of Actors' Equity Association

IF YOU GO:

South Brooklyn Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will

· July 23/Summer Stroll at 6:30 pm on 5th Ave between17th and 18th Streets

· August 4, 5 and 6 at 8:00pm at The Old Stone House in Washington Park, 3rd Street between 4th and 5th Avenue

Park Slope, 5th Avenue, Brooklyn 11215

Summer Strolls, four fabulous nights when a stretch of Brooklyn's Fifth Avenue closes to vehicle traffic and opens for all kinds of FREE local fun and festivities - transforms Fifth Avenue into a big block party from 5-9pm. All Summer Strolls feature food and drinks from local bars and restaurants served open air, sales galore from local shops, free live music and dancing in the streets, free vintage car show, street yoga, giant rock climbing wall, bouncy house, mini golf and photo booth. All activities are FREE.

Summer Strolls are sponsored by the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District and the NYC D.O.T. as part of their Weekend Walks program.

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