All of UC Santa Cruz is a stage this month—well, at least part of it is—during the annual Shakespeare Santa Cruz festival that runs through August 31. This celebration of plays by The Bard as well as contemporary playwrights returns with an impressive lineup that explores the theme of passion in all its forms.
No Shakespeare festival would be complete without Romeo and Juliet, the classic story about two star-crossed lovers from rival families. Shakespeare’s comedy, All’s Well That Ends Well, is also in the lineup, and follows a woman who hatches a cunning scheme to get what she wants—the love of a nobleman.
Contemporary playwright Itamar Moses presents passion in a different way—that is, as hard-driven ambition—only with hilarious results. Bach at Leipzig (pictured above) follows seven organists in the 18th century as they lie, cheat and scheme to attain the coveted organ master position at the illustrious St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany. Fast-forward to the 20th century with Burn This by Lanford Wilson. Set in a Manhattan loft, the story revolves around three thirty-somethings grappling with the death of a friend, Robbie. Robbie’s coke-addled brother joins them, and the four are forced to make sense of their lives and of the tragedy.
With new artistic director Marco Barricelli at the helm, Shakespeare Santa Cruz promises to offer a fresh outlook on human nature.
Where: University of Santa Cruz campus
When: Through August 31; Tues-Wed, 7:30pm (no show Aug 5); Thurs, 2 & 7:30pm (no 2pm show on Aug 28); Fri, 8pm; Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 2 & 7:30pm.
Info/Tickets: (831) 459-2159; www.shakespearesantacruz.org
