Unrequited love, forbidden love, mistaken identity, death threats, magical fairies and the love of donkeys are all part of a regular day in the world of Shakespeare. The Rose of Athens Theatre will present two of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Taming of the Shrew, this summer at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which will run June 19-29, includes star-crossed lovers, hilarity, music and a choreographed dance. UGA almuna Lisa Cesnik will direct.
The Taming of the Shrew, which will run July 3-13, is one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. Kristen Kundert-Gibbs, assistant professor in UGA’s drama and theatre department, will direct the adaptation. Set in Athens, the comedy will tell the story of Bianca, a perfect and popular young woman who is looking for love, but cannot pursue it until her devil-fiend of a sister, Katharina, is married. This production features some of the theatre’s core group of actors, including alumni Cesnik and Bajo Sonubi. Theatre newcomers include UGA graduate students Scotty Gannon, Norman Ferguson and Jonathan Phipps.
Both shows will be in the Georgia Center’s Mahler Auditorium at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinée’s at 1 p.m. on June 22 and 29. Tickets will cost $15 or $10 for those ages 25 and younger and are available at the box office, (706) 340-9181.
