Acorn Productions' Naked Shakespeare Presents SEVEN DEADLY SINS

In celebration of the season for lovers, Naked Shakespeare presents a special fundraising event entitled Cupid's Flight: Never Doubt I Love on Friday, February 16th at 8pm in the Ballroom at Mechanics Hall.

The evening features tableside performances of some of the bard's most passionate language, followed by a performance featuring well-known speeches from his plays cued by modern cue lines provided by audience members. Shakespeare's words have wooed countless romantics since he first put quill to paper in the late 16th century, and Cupids' Flight offers audience members the rare chance to hear his seldom-performed sonnets up close and personal as Naked Shakespeare company members present "menus" of three selections to each table throughout the first part of the evening. Each ticket includes complimentary desserts from area bakeries and one wine ticket, and all proceeds benefit the monthly free First Friday performance series offered by Acorn Productions. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple and advance reservations made be made on Acorn's website at www.acorn-productions.org.

Naked Shakespeare has always sought to provide local audiences the chance to experience Shakespeare's language in accessible and innovative ways, and Cupid's Flight brings the performance literally to the audience as 12 actors roam from table to table with their selections. During the first part of the performance, selections actors bring to life 17 classic sonnets including Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day"), Sonnet 29 ("When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes"), and Sonnet 116 ("Let me not to the marriage of true minds") while audience members help themselves to a dessert buffet and sip vintage red and white wines. The second half of the event showcases soliloquies and speeches featuring several well-known and beloved lovers from his plays as well as other lovable characters.