Shakespeare on the Sound Presents ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, Now thru 6/28

Shakespeare on the Sound's production June 11-28 of "All's Well That Ends Well" is the centerpiece of the theater's 20th anniversary season, offering broader exposure for apprentices and an expanded dimension to the educational activities in Pinkney Park.

"Budding Bards" is the name given to the selection of original one-act plays to be presented by the 16-member company of apprentices on the main stage in the park June 26 at 5 p.m. prior to the curtain for "All's Well That Ends Well."

The last two seasons, the theatrical trainees have created original work--from writing and direction through performance. But the stage readings were done off-site and the audience was limited to family and friends, never a full, live audience.

Claire Kelly, Shakespeare on the Sound's director of education and artistic associate, said: "Some of the work generated by the apprentices is outstanding and this year we wanted to share it with the general public."

At the same time, the Education Tent in the park is being transformed into an inter-active destination-a kind of mini-camp--for the younger set, age 5 to 13, starting at 4:30 p.m. and running through 7:15 p.m. for the run of the play.

Ashley Malafronte of Guilford, CT, an education apprentice, oversees the initiative. In addition to the coloring book activities and picking names from Shakespeare's inimitable from years past, the apprentices intend to introduce games and other activities.

The concept calls for children under 6 to be supervised by parents and those older need to be accompanied by a parent in the park.

Returning for another season is the popular Kids Pre-Show, a 1/2 hour retelling of main play to unfold nightly at 6:30 p.m. behind the Education Tent.

Three members of this season's ensemble of apprentices-Max Kenyon, Kate Murphy and John Lewis-are from Darien and two more-Alice Bloomer and Kyra Baldwin-are from Greenwich.

For the first time, the company incorporates four members from outside the tristate area-Meredith Casey of Minneapolis, Trevor Hayes of Newport News, Va., Joey Santia of Ventura California and Thomas Shuman of Amherst, MA.

Rounding out of the company with Malafronte, the education apprentice: Sadie Andros of Westport, Michelle Blau of Fairfield, CT, Rachael Viccaro of Middlefield, CT, Angela Licari of Bethel, CT and Arif Silverman of Brooklyn, NY.

Mary B. Robinson is directing "All's Well That Ends Well," a provocative challenge to the conventions of gender. Against the backdrop of rustling trees and the sounds of the seashore, the play unfolds under the stars in the natural outdoor amphitheater of the park in Rowayton where a family-festive audience assembles on blankets and low-slung deck chairs with picnic baskets crammed with goodies.

Admission is free and so is parking nearby. At the same time, donations are collected at the gate, $20 suggested for adults, $10 for seniors and students. Reserved seating is also available for $50. To reserve: www.shakespeareonthesound.org or call (203) 299-1300.

(Cutline)

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