Free Outdoor Production Of HAMLET To Be Put On In Stamford, CT

"To be or not to be, that is the question," is probably the best-known line of any of Shakespeare's plays. Spoken by Hamlet, this quote, and so many more that have become common-place, will be heard during Curtain Call's Shakespeare on the Green presentation, of Hamlet, July 12 through 22. Curtain Call is thrilled to bring this searing Shakespearean tragedy of murder and revenge to Stamford for its 15th annual free, outdoor production.

In Hamlet, a student is called home from university to find his life turned upside down. He had the world at his feet, but now everything has changed. Who can be trusted, who can be believed?

Sent by the ghost of his father to avenge his brutal death, Hamlet's mission to expose the truth is a perilous journey of madness, murder and lost love. What will ultimately become of a young man sent to kill?

What other famous quotes come from Hamlet? "To thine own self be true," "Brevity is the soul of wit," and "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't" - which is today mostly misquoted as there is method in this madness.

This is the fourth year that Kyle Runestad will be directing for Curtain Call. He previously appeared on stage in nine Shakespeare on the Green productions. "I'm thrilled to have Kyle back with us," said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call executive director. "He's passionate about Shakespeare and really knows how to work with actors to get the most out of them," he added. In addition to Runestad, Robin Mazzola serves as costume designer with set design by Peter Barbieri, Jr., and lighting design by Ellie Mallardi. The stage management team, led by Jan Ursone, includes Martha Dombroski and John Zimmerman.

Nestled among the pine trees of the Sterling Farms complex on Newfield Avenue, Stamford, this is a unique experience for the community to participate in and enjoy the works of William Shakespeare. Productions are presented on Curtain Call's own version of The Globe Theatre Stage designed by associate artistic director, Barbieri. Curtain Call's annual outing is much akin to an old-fashioned repertory company: many actors return each year either on stage or off, to be a part of it. The entire cast (along with many past performers) were on hand to help build The Globe.

While returning audiences will recognize many past performers, there are several cast members making their debut "on the lawn." This year's cast includes: Zoe Bebon, Hunter Brady, Philip Cook, Abigail Darin, Taj Dyami Dey, Donna Glen, Robert Thomas Halliwell, William Kenyon, Kaite Laurie, Joey Macari, Daniel Mann, Celine Montaudy, Jason Nekritz, Karyn Samuelson, Joey Sanzaro, Tyler Small, J. Kevin Smith, Alexandra Stewart, David Tate, Kevin Thompson, Fred Tisch, Amy Wade, Ruby Wilkos and Christopher Woodside.

Performances of Hamlet will be held July 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22, evenings at 7:30 p.m. The park opens for seating at 6 p.m. each evening with parking across the street at Davenport Ridge School. A limited amount of reserved seating is available. "An average night's attendance for us is about 300," said Ursone, "however, when we have a Saturday night with perfect weather, we've had nearly twice that many - comfortably - on the lawn."

'We are thrilled to offer this free event each year to the community," Ursone said. "Of course, we appreciate contributions from our guests, but all are welcome...whether they can contribute or not. We especially want families to come and enjoy this production," Ursone concluded. Curtain Call suggests contributions of $20 per person for adults; $10 for senior citizens and children.

Shakespeare on the Green is produced by Curtain Call, Inc., in conjunction with the Stamford Golf Authority, Zody's at Sterling and The City of Stamford. This year's production is sponsored by support from The Connecticut Office of the Arts, RBC, Garden Homes Foundation, and Simply Signs.

More information is available at www.curtaincallinc.com or by calling 203-329-8207. Curtain Call is the non-profit community based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Year-round productions and workshops are presented by and for area residents in The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre.

Curtain Call was voted Fairfield County's BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP 2005 through 2014 in the Annual Readers' Poll of The Fairfield County Weekly and has received similar BEST OF awards from Stamford Magazine and StamfordPlus magazine for 2008 through 2015. Curtain Call received The Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2011 and the ACE Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.

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