On Stage

Announcing Maryland Shakespeare Festival’s 2011-12 Season!

Fall 2011

Inspired by the stage practices of William Shakespeare’s original acting company, Maryland Shakespeare Festival performs plays in the spirit of lively, raucous, and improvisational Elizabethan theatre. Professional actors are brought together to create the tale, replicating Shakespeare’s original practice of limited rehearsal and minimal direction, replete with spirited audience interaction.

Julius Caesar, October 7 – 9, 2011

Witness the actions of some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters – the proud Caesar, the manipulative Mark Antony and the conflicted Brutus. Savor the power of “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” and “Et tu, Brute,” among other famous lines. Choose your sides in the Roman forum as MSF tackles this formidable tragedy in its Bare Bard style.

All’s Well That Ends Well, December 9 – 11, 2011

Meet the orphaned commoner, Helena, and the nobleman Bertram, her would-be love. Faced with seemingly impossible obstacles, their disparate backgrounds create problems as their romance follows a course of love that never runs smooth. Revel in one of Shakespeare’s most enjoyable comedies as it hurtles toward a conclusion that compliments its title.

Winter 2011

In conjunction with OMBELICO Mask Ensemble, MSF presents

Dead Man’s Mambo, January 20-22, 27-29, 2012

The commedia troupe is missing and our hapless stage manager must play all 11 characters with only his mute musician for help. Watch as he juggles love, swords and scudi in this fast-paced commedia clown show . . . 400 years in the making. Part Commedia dell’Arte, part Clown, Dead Man’s Mambo is a unique mix of highly structured scenario, wildly improvised performance and live music. Written and conceived by Brendon Gawel and John Bellomo.

To purchase Tickets in Advance click here!

Bare Bard – in Rep!

Over the course of one month – join us for our first-ever repertory Shakespeare adventure! See three different plays in one weekend. March 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, and April 1, 2012!

Julius Caesar

All’s Well That Ends Well

Much Ado About Nothing

The Merchant of Venice

Much Ado About Nothing, the beloved comedy that introduces us to lovers Beatrice and Benedick, and Claudio and Hero, with its lively banter, and the classic Merchant of Venice with its famous character of Shylock and the famous quote, “All that glisters is not gold,” join this season’s previous offerings to create one great month-long event! All Shakespeare plays at All Saints Episcopal Church and Dead Man’s Mambo at Frederick Cultural Arts Center.

To purchase Tickets in Advance click here!