Photo Flash: First Look at LOVE'S LABOUR LOST at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Outdoor Stage production of Love's Labour's Lost. The enormously popular summer venue, located on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, hosts the show through July 26th.

Outdoor Stage performances are Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:00 pm, with a special twilight performance on Sundays at 4:30 pm. Tickets are $15 for students and $35 for adults. Children under age 5 go for free. For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visitwww.ShakespeareNJ.org. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group discounts.

Nestled into the hillside on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth, this replica of the Theatre of Dionysius in Athens has been a popular performance space since its creation in 1932. Constructed from stones gathered from the College of Saint Elizabeth campus, college employees undertook the building of the theatre, supervised by Sister Marie Victoire Corr. The ancient Greek-style theatre boasts outdoor seating on stone and grass tiers. Surrounded by a large lawn, the amiptheatre is ideal for picnicking before the show. Audience members may bring their own food and beverages, or purchase snacks and soft drinks on-site. Patrons are encouraged to bring either a low-backed beach chair or picnic blanket to sit on. Higher-backed beach chairs are allowed in the top rows of the theatre. Seating at The Outdoor Stage is general admission.

Written in 1594, Love's Labour's Lost has the distinction of being one of Shakespeare's only works that does not draw its plot from history, literature, or mythology. This completely original tale tells the story of four young noblemen, who vow to spend the next three years studying and swearing off the company of women. Almost immediately, four witty French beauties arrive at their door, testing the limits of the noblemen's vows. In true Shakespearean fashion, love letters between the noblemen and the ladies of France fall into the wrong hands, resulting in the brilliant wordplay that Love's Labour's Lost is known for.

Recent performances of Love's Labour's Lost include a 2014 production by the Royal Shakespeare Company, lauded by the Daily Telegraph as "blissfully entertaining," as well as a 2013 musical adaptation- penned by the collaborators behind Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson- by The Public Theatre, performed at Shakespeare in the Park. Additionally, this intellectual comedy was adapted for film by Kenneth Branagh in 2000, and for the BBC Television Shakespeare project in 1985. A 2007 episode of Doctor Who featured Love's Labour's Lost in an episode titled "The Shakespeare Code."

The Outdoor Stage is generously supported by Bank of America. A partner of The Outdoor Stage since 2004, their committed and generous support has helped make The Shakespeare Theatre's Outdoor Stage a hallmark of the summer season in the region. "We are immensely grateful to Bank of America for their steadfast backing," said the Theatre's Director of Development Heidi Speckhart.

Photos by Jerry Dalia

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