Tampa Shakespeare to Offer Free Performances at Waterworks Park

Tampa Shakespeare Festival will be launching their second season on Thursday, March 17th at Waterworks Park in downtown Tampa with William Shakespeare's Richard III and Much Ado About Nothing playing in repertory on alternating nights. The festival will run from Thursday, March 17th until Sunday, April 3rd. Performances will begin at 6pm Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2pm on Sundays. Admission is free to the general public. More information on Tampa Shakespeare Festival and their productions can be found at www.TampaShakesFest.org

Tampa Shakespeare Festival is dedicated to bringing the works of William Shakespeare to Tampa communities in a fun and accessible way. We strive to create productions that are fast paced and enjoyable for the whole family. Tampa Shakespeare Festival's productions are performed outdoors with minimal technical support in beautiful Waterworks Park.

Richard III, centers around the last king of the House of York, the series of ruthless betrayals and lies he uses to ascend the throne, and his ultimate comeuppance. Think of it as a medieval House of Cards. The villainous title role will be played by returning company member and Artistic Associate Derrick Phillips (Tender Napalm, Lebensraum) Richard III is directed by Dan Granke (Bethany, Tender Napalm) an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and is a certified teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. Granke also teaches acting and movement at the University of South Florida. Richard III will run March 17, 19, 25, 27, 31, and April 2.

Much Ado About Nothing is a Comedy about one scheme to undo true love and another to help it grow, and features Shakespeare's famous bickering lovers Benedick and Beatrice engaged in a pithy war of the sexes. Benedick will be played by Associate Artistic Director Jack Holloway (Macbeth, True West) and Beatrice will be portrayed by Katrina Stevenson (Intimate Apparel, Lebensraum) Much Ado About Nothing is directed by Megan Lamasney (True West, Disco Pigs) and will run March 18, 20, 24, 26, and April 1 and 3.