Elm Shakespeare Announces THE IMAGINARY INVALID And HOLIDAY 8/13 Thru 9/6

James Andreassi, Artistic Director of The Elm Shakespeare Company, now in its second decade of presenting free, professional productions of classic plays, has announced the two plays that will be produced this August outdoors in New Haven/Hamden's Edgerton Park. Moliere's 17th century comedy The Imaginary Invalid and Philip Barry's 1920s comedy of manners Holiday will be presented in repertory from August 13 through September 6.

All Elm Shakespeare performances are free of charge, with donations welcomed. Family audiences are always encouraged to attend.

"This marks the first time in our company's history that we are not presenting a work by William Shakespeare," noted Mr. Andreassi. "Our commitment to the Bard continues through our educational programs this year and will be reflected in future seasons. However we thought this year would be a good opportunity to explore other classics, two extraordinary comedies from different eras and written by masters of the genre."

Holiday , Barry's witty, pre-depression comedy about the trivial problems of the seriously rich, will be directed by Mr. Andreassi and presented beginning August 13 for four consecutive performances, Thursday through Sunday evenings. The Imaginary Invalid, a knockabout comedy of eccentricity, disguises, trickery, and 17th-century medical quackery, will be directed by Allyn Burrows, joining the repertoire for its first four performances on August 20. The following week, starting on August 25, the two plays will alternate performances on Tuesday through Sunday evenings through September 6.

All Elm Shakespeare performances begin at 8:00 pm in Edgerton Park, entrance at 75 Cliff Street, near the corner of Cliff Street and Whitney Avenue, in New Haven. Audience members are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs. Reservations are not necessary.

For additional information on Elm Shakespeare Company call 203.393.1436 or visit its website at www.elmshakespeare.org.

Founded in 1995, The Elm Shakespeare Company rapidly became one Connecticut 's most exciting professional theater companies. In addition to the plays presented each summer, The company offers in-school residency programs working with at-risk inner city youth, who work with Elm Shakespeare teaching artists to develop a 60-minute production based on Shakespeare's work which is then performed throughout the New Haven school system for 5th through 8th grade students.

 

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