2017 Shakespeare in the Park Opens Thursday With THE WINTER'S TALE

Nashville Shakespeare Festival presents its latest version of The Winter's Tale, directed by NSF artistic associate and apprentice company director Santiago Sosa, the 2017 season opening production of Shakespeare in the Park this Thursday, August 10, at Centennial Park's band shell.

"The Winter's Tale is a fascinating romance, and Santiago's direction and vision of the play will transport the audience into a wondrous world where jealousy creates great suffering and faith restores joy," according to Denice Hicks, executive artistic director of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. "It has been 12 years since we have presented The Winter's Tale, and I look forward to audience reactions to the story and its pairing with Antony & Cleopatra, which opens a week later on August 17."

The Winter's Tale is a fanciful story set in a fairy tale world of contrasting peoples inspired by the diverse South American cultures during the Gran Colombia era. The performance also features original music by Natalie Bell, who composed the score for Winter Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet at Belmont's Troutt Theater.

The Winter's Tale will be performed at Centennial Park on August 10-13, 24-25 and September 2-4, 7-8, 16-17. The play will then travel to Franklin's Academy Park for two performances on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, October 1.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early for the best blanket and lawn chair space or find an available seat on the benches or bleachers. Food trucks begin serving at 6 p.m. with featured vendors, such as Jeni's Ice Cream, Lil' Choo Choo BBQ, Moosehead Kettle Corn, King Tut's and Dose Coffee. The free Talking Shakespeare series with nightly special guest speakers also begins at 6 p.m. with pre-show entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. The featured performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.

General admission is open to the public with a $10 per person donation suggested. Royal Packages are available for those seeking the ultimate VIP experience. This package is the festival's signature fundraiser and includes reserved parking, prime seating, a gourmet picnic dinner from Bacon & Caviar Catering, personal welcome from the Nashville Shakespeare Festival staff and a souvenir gift for $75.

The 2017 season of Shakespeare in the Park will kick-off with The Winter's Tale on August 10, followed by Antony & Cleopatra beginning on Aug. 17 and directed by David Ian Lee. One cast performs both shows in repertory. Shakespeare in the Park is supported in part by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and The Tennessee Arts Commission.

To purchase the Royal Package, for more information or to book a Royal Box, visit www.nashvilleshakes.org, email rickeychick@nashvilleshakes.org or call 615-255-2273.

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