Water Works Theatre Company Sets 15th Annual Shakespeare Royal Oak Events

Shakespeare Royal Oak's 3rd Show: Romeo And Juliet August 7-8 (ROYAL OAK MI) Water Works Theatre Company announces the schedule and casts for its 15th annual outdoor summer theatre festival, Shakespeare Royal Oak. The festival begins July 27 in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park and continues through Sunday, August 9. Tickets ($10-$20) are on sale now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com for All's Well That Ends Well and As You Like It. A complete Shakespeare Royal Oak performance schedule follows this release. In addition to its outdoor productions, Water Works will also offer performance minded students an opportunity to learn from the experts with the Water Works Academy and KidsAct! July 27 - August 8.

Shakespeare Royal Oak
"At 15, Shakespeare Royal Oak is looking back and forward at the same time," says Water Works founder and executive director Ed Nahhat. "Gathering local veterans with the rising young talent in our area, in a professional show, is what Water Work has always been about. Terry W. Carpenter returns to us from Meadow Brook to helm All's Well and Travis Reiff debuts as director of As You Like It. Meanwhile we have two immensely strong and rising young women actors leading each show, Meredith Deighton for All's Well, and my former student, Anna Marck in As You Like It. This year we will also be adding a new "Third Show," Romeo and Juliet, that will be performed by students in our high school program, Water Works Academy. I'm also excited about kicking off the season at Royal Oak's first micro-brewery, MIP, with our Ale's Well fundraiser. This year promises to be fantastic."

All's Well That Ends Well
Water Works veteran Terry W. Carpenter returns to direct Shakespeare Royal Oak's 15th annual main stage production in Starr Jaycee Park. All's Well That Ends Well will take audiences to World War I Europe in the time period and style of the popular PBS series Downtown Abbey. Helena, a commoner, saves the King's life, so he grants her a choice of a husband; she chooses high-society Bertram, who would rather go off to war and chase women than settle down. Undeterred, Helena follows Bertram to the war and befriends Diana, who Bertram is trying to woo. Together the women concoct a hilarious and enigmatic Shakespearean scheme to make all end well, much to Bertram's surprise. Love, war, seduction, betrayal, and bed-hopping all come together in this comedic love story. All's Well That Ends Well will play at 8:00pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night and at 5:00pm on Sundays July 30 - August 9. Tickets ($20) are on sale now at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com. A complete cast list and schedule follows this release.

As You Like It
Water Works Theatre Company presents its seventh annual daylight family show, an abbreviated and family friendly version of Shakespeare's As You Like It, directed by Water Works veteran Travis Reiff. After the man she loves is banished by his evil brother, Rosalind disguises herself as a man and flees along with her cousin Celia to the forest. There they encounter a merry and mad bunch of exiles, including Orlando, who is still heartsick for his Rosalind. Alas, Rosalind can't reveal that she is really a she, now; leaving herself exposed to wooing by another woman (who also thinks she is a man), and the mere "friendship" of the man she loves. Hilarious sweet torture of the heart follows all the characters, even the evil brother, through Shakespeare's most luscious love comedy. Great for the whole family, As You LIke It runs about 90 minutes, including an intermission. Performances are at 2:00pm Saturday and Sunday August1, 2, 8 and 9, and 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 4 and Wednesday, August 5. Tickets ($10) are on sale now at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com.

Ale's Well - Shakespeare in the brewery, Fundraiser event June 19, 2015
Theatre fans across southeast Michigan are invited to Water Works Theatre Company's annual fundraiser event, Ale's Well Friday, June 19 beginning at 6:30pm. The event will be held at MIP Brewery in Royal Oak, the city's first micro-brewery and the official supplier of Water Works' ShakesBeer since 2012. This year's event will feature a special performance by Water Works Theatre Company veterans, a selection of handcrafted food, with a cash bar featuring wine & beer. Special games and a silent auction will round out the evening's festivities. Tickets for this fundraiser event are $35 and may be reserved by emailing Admin@waterworkstheatre.com or calling (248) 399-3727. MIP Brewing Company is located at 4847 Delemere Royal Oak, MI 48073. More information is available online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com/support-2/

Shakespeare in the Park educational programs

For the 14th 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 July 27 - August 8.

Water Works Academy is a one-week intensive for high school students that gives young actors the chance to rehearse and perform a full production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in the park. Directed by Water Works Eduction Director Frannie Shepherd-Bates, a team of working professionals will guide students in an intensive five-day rehearsal process culminating in two FREE live performances of Romeo And Juliet on the Shakespeare stage in Starr Jaycee Park. Water Works Academy classes are July 27 - August 2 with performances at 10:00am on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 & 2.

Water Works Academy performance students are advised to audition for Romeo And Juliet on Saturday, June 20 at 10:00am at Starr Presbyterian Church at 13 Mile and Crooks Road in Royal Oak. A FREE audition workshop will be available for interested students on Saturday, June 13 at the same location. Students are not required to audition, but it is highly recommended. Those interested in directing, stage managing and costume, props & sound design do not need to audition.

Tuition for Water Works Academy is $225 per student. Registration is available now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com or by emailing education@waterworkstheatre.com.

KidsAct! is a one week educational experience for students entering grades 1-8. Water Works' 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 Sunday, August 8. Tuition is $225 per student and registration is available now online at www.shakespeareroyaloak.com/education/ or by emailing education@waterworkstheatre.com.

Shakespeare Royal Oak Casting Information
(Hometowns are listed in parenthesis)

All's Well That Ends Well
Directed by Terry Carpenter

Helena - Meredith Deighton (Ferndale)
Countess - Connie Cowper (Rochester Hills)
Diana - Sara McEneaney (Rochester)
Widow - Jocelyn Etheridge (Eastpointe)
Mariana / Nurse - Callie Jeanine (Waterford)
Bertram - Peter Prouty* (Detroit)
Parolles - Travis Reiff* (Wyandotte)
King / Interpreter - Craig Bentley* (Pleasant Ridge)
Lefeu - Kirk Haas (Inkster)
Lavatch - Dan Johnson (Ann Arbor)
Dumaine Brother - Chris Peterson (Sterling Heights)
Dumaine Brother - Joshua Steckelberg (Leslie)
Duke/Lord - Daniel Martin Morency (Grosse Pointe Park)
Rinaldo/Lord - Alex W Wicz (Lathrup Village)
Lord - Andrew Barikmo (Garden City)
Lord - Christian Hubert (Canton)

*Member of Actor's Equity Association

As You LIke It
Directed by Travis Reiff

Orlando - Matt Pecek
Oliver - Jeff Miller
Roz - Anna Marck
Celia - Kim Alley
Charles / Silvius - Tym Faulk
Jay-queez - Dennis Kleinsmith
Phebe - Lucianna Piazza
Others to be announced.

Shakespeare Royal Oak performance schedule
All performances take place in Starr Jaycee Park, 1301 West 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak MI 48073

All's Well That Ends Well
Tickets: $20
Thursday, July 30 @ 8:00pm
Friday, July 31 @ 8:00pm
Saturday, August 1 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, August 2 @ 5:00pm
Thursday, August 6 @ 8:00pm
Friday, August 7 @ 8:00pm
Saturday, August 8 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, August 9 @ 5:00pm

As You LIke It
Tickets: $10
Saturday, August 1 @ 2:00pm
Sunday, August 2 @ 2:00pm
Tuesday, August 4 @ 7:00pm
Wednesday, August 5 @ 7:00pm
Saturday, August 8 @ 2:00pm
Sunday, August 9 @ 2:00pm

Shakespeare In Royal Oak educational program presents
Shakespeare In Royal Oak's 3rd show

Romeo And Juliet
Tickets: FREE
Saturday, August 1 @ 10:00am
Sunday, August 2 @ 10:00am

Since 2001 Water Works has presented Shakespeare Royal Oak and other award-winning productions. Water Works enhances the quality of life in the community by offering Michigan's only outdoor professional Shakespeare event in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park. Water Works' mission is to provide a place to call home for local professional actors, designers, directors, teachers, and other artists in a dynamic collaboration with skilled professional volunteers and other community supporters. Learn more at: www.waterworkstheatre.com.

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