Acorn Productions Expands First Friday Naked Shakespeare

Naked Shakespeare, Acorn Productions' performance series dedicated to presenting the works of the Bard in accessible ways for contemporary audiences, expands their popular series of First Friday performances next month with three performances of "Cupid's Arrow," a compilation of the stories of five Shakespearean romances. On the occasion of their happy nuptials, Theseus and Hippolyta (Midsummer Night's Dream) are joined by their famous friends/acquaintances: Benedick and Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing), Suffolk and Margaret (Henry VI), Antony and Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra) and Touchstone and Audrey (As You Like It). As usual wedding hijinks ensue, the lovers are by turns coupled and uncoupled, elated then heartbroken, and for better or worse, affected by the spell of love through some of the most hilarious and stunningly beautiful language in the canon. "Cupid's Arrow" is performed by twelve Naked Shakespeare company actors and directed by company member Sarah Barlow. The performances are free with a $10 suggested donation. For more information, audience members are encouraged to visit Acorn's website at www.acorn-productions.org.

Naked Shakespeare's First Friday shows feature one-hour of text selections from different plays centered around a theme. By hearing Shakespeare's text in a different context, Naked Shakespeare aims to help audiences find new meanings and connections to the universal themes present in his plays. The script for "Cupid's Arrow" was compiled by Artistic Director Michael Levine, who wished to bring to life some of Shakespeare's lesser-known lovers. The play is presented on First Friday during downtown Portland's art walk, repeated the next night in the Ballroom at Mechanics Hall, and then once again on Wednesday, February 10th at the Merrill Memorial Library in Yarmouth. Upcoming Naked Shakespeare First Friday shows are "The Seven Deadly Sins" in March, and "Drunks and Fools: An Evening at the Eastcheap Tavern" in April.