TIME FLIES: Rockland Shakespeare Company Marks 20 Years

PERFORMANCES MOVED INDOORS FOR FIRST TIME; Shows begin July 7 at RCC’s Cultural Arts Theater and are free and open to the public  

RAMAPO – Continuing a tradition spanning two decades, Rockland Community College this summer is once again the place for free performances of William Shakespeare’s plays. All are invited to enjoy the Rockland Shakespeare Company’s 20^th anniversary season, running from Friday, July 7, through Sunday, July 23.

This year offers a mix of traditional Shakespeare with madcap comedy. The season features the classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet, the first play ever performed by the Rockland Shakespeare Company in 1998. “We immediately decided that we should produce ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in celebration of the 20^th season,” said Christopher Plummer, RSC co-director.

The other two shows scheduled this season will feature plenty of laughter. The company will present a gender-bending version of Shakespeare’s comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor, with women playing the male roles and vice versa. “For years, we have wanted to produce a predominantly female-cast production,” Plummer said. “We hope audiences love the result as much as we do.”

The third production is the irreverent “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),” in which three actors attempt to perform all 37 of the Bard’s plays in 90 minutes, with hilarious results.

In a change from the past, this year’s performances will take place inside RCC’s Cultural Arts Theater instead of outdoors. A new outdoor performance space, the John and Joan Maloney Rockland Globe Stage, is in development. In the meantime, the RSC will experiment with seating in the Theater this summer, placing some audience members directly on the stage. All performances begin at 7 p.m.

“We are thrilled to celebrate 20 incredible seasons,” Plummer said. “We have grown in so many ways.” He added that a production of an adapted version of “Macbeth,” initially planned for this summer, will now be staged in late October to continue the anniversary celebration.

Soap opera star Lawrence St. Victor of “Guiding Light” and “Bold and the Beautiful” began his journey as an actor with RSC, performing the title role in “Othello” early in the theater company’s existence.

Rockland Shakespeare Company 20^th Season
RCC Cultural Arts Theater
145 College Road
Suffern, NY 10901

Week 1 (July 7–9)
Fri July 7:      The Merry Wives of Windsor
Sat July 8:     Romeo and Juliet
Sun July 9:   The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

Week 2 (July 14-16)
Fri July 14:     The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
Sat July 15:     The Merry Wives of Windsor
Sun July 16:    Romeo and Juliet

Week 3 (July 21-23)
Fri July 21:     Romeo and Juliet
Sat July 22:     The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
Sun July 23:   The Merry Wives of Windsor

Call RSC 845-574-4471 or visit: www.facebook.com/RockTheBard

  RCC, RCC Cultural Arts Theatre, rockland shakespeare company