Shakespeare Royal Oak to Host MURDER HE WROTE Fundraiser, 6/24

Shakespeare Royal Oak will host its annual summer fundraiser Friday, June 24 beginning at 6:30pm at the Royal Oak Farmer's Market. Hosted by Fox 2 Weekend Anchor and WWJ Newsradio personality, Charlie Langton, the event will feature a strolling dinner, silent auction, mask-making, and an interactive original murder-mystery comedy, Murder, He Wrote. Tickets ($40) are on sale now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com and will be available in person the night of the event.

"This year's event is going to be our best yet," says Shakespeare Royal Oak founder and Executive Director Edward Nahhat. "We have our friend Charlie Langton from Fox 2 and WWJ hosting. You'll have loads of laughs with our fun murder mystery, great food, beer and wine, and even music from market favorite singer-songwriter Mia Green."

Throughout the evening, patrons will enjoy a quality strolling dinner, beverages, a silent auction benefiting the Shakespeare Royal Oak youth education programs, mask making, and a performance of Murder, He Wrote - an original interactive comedy highlighting some of Shakespeare's most famous murder scenes in the style of the murder-mystery TV show Murder, She Wrote. "We pioneered the special event at Royal Oak's Farmers Market 15 years ago," Nahhat explained. "Yet we are dedicated to raising money the old fashioned way - by giving folks a great show, good food and a friendly atmosphere."

Doors to the Royal Oak Farmer's Market, located at 316 E 11 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067 will open for this event at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 24. Tickets for the Murder, He Wrote fundraiser are $40 and available now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the event.

Now in its 16th Season, Shakespeare Royal Oak has grown into the premier outdoor Shakespeare event in Michigan. The festival will present Richard III as its featured evening show, July 28 - August 7, and 12th Night as its daylight family show, July 30 - August 7. This season, the newly expanded Water Works Youth Ensemble - comprised of high school students - will present three performances of The Tempest, July 30 - August 1. "Our goal has always been to offer our audiences a unique entertainment experience as well as employ local artists and keep them in this community by providing jobs and opportunities to expand their careers," states Shakespeare Royal Oak founder and Executive Director Ed Nahhat. "And through the years our program has grown from one production to a ten-day festival of three shows and 14 professional performances with two exemplary youth education programs."

Shakespeare Royal Oak educational programsFor the 15th year, Water Works Theatre Company will offer performance-minded students a chance to learn from experts and to perform on the outdoor stage in Starr Jaycee Park during the Shakespeare Royal Oak festival July 25 - August 7. Water Works Youth Ensemble is an extraordinary high school-age outdoor experience, Last year, high school students auditioned for, performed, and produced a full-fledged production of Romeo and Juliet in the Park. This summer, the program will be expanded with more rehearsal time for an even more invigorating performance of William Shakespeare's The Tempest July 30 & 31 at 11:00 am and August 1 at 7:00 pm. KidsAct! is a one week educational experience for students entering grades 1-8. Water Works Theatre Company's professional staff will encourage students' natural confidence and inspire their creative expression. In an open park setting, students will discover the basics of Shakespeare, safe stage combat (including sword fighting), dance and improv. The week culminates in a free performance in Starr Jaycee Park on Saturday, August 6 at 11:00 am.

Tuition for the Water Works Youth Ensemble and KidsAct! is $225 per student and registration is available now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com or by emailing education@waterworkstheatre.com.

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