Shakespeare Free For All: Hamlet @ Carter Barron

May 20, 2008 by Svetlana  Send to a Friend

One of Washington’s favorite springtime traditions, the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All presents Hamlet at Carter Barron Amphitheatre (16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW) in Rock Creek Park from May 22 to June 1, 2008.

Pack a picnic (and a friend) and get to it.

More than 560,000 people have attended the Free For All since 1991, when Shakespeare Theatre Company Artistic Director Michael Kahn and Founding Chairman R. Robert Linowes inaugurated the tradition of free Shakespeare in D.C. with Kahn’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor.

“Each summer, we pack up one of our mainstage plays, take it out to the park and make a great work of Shakespeare accessible to as wide an audience as possible, many of whom have never been to the theatre before: young people, students and people on fixed incomes,” Kahn said. “It’s a great pleasure to see people discover Shakespeare in a relaxed, outdoor setting, often alongside their children.”

Shakespeare Theatre Company Free For All
at Carter Barron Amphitheatre

Hamlet
by William Shakespeare
directed by Alexander Burns
original direction by Michael Kahn

May 22 to June 1, 2008
7:30 p.m. nightly; no performance Monday

Commanded by his murdered father’s ghost to seek revenge, Hamlet struggles with the human and spiritual costs of pursuing justice.

One of the greatest plays ever written, Hamlet has captivated audiences for 400 years with its explorations of life, love, duty and vengeance. Commanded by his murdered father’s ghost to seek revenge, Hamlet struggles with the human and spiritual costs of pursuing justice. Featuring some of the most beautiful language ever written, Hamlet marks a turning point in Shakespeare’s career toward more complex depictions of good and evil, of heroes and villains. The production is set in a modern world evoking the secrecy and mystery of its Danish court. Jeffrey Carlson portrays Hamlet as a young man experiencing death, love and betrayal for the first time.

When the Shakespeare Theatre Company first presented Hamlet in 2007, the Washington Times praised Carlson as “magnetically effective as the moody, unpredictable Hamlet,” and DC Theatre Reviews call the production “lush, gorgeous, thrilling, lucid, hilarious, moving and profound.

For more information on the 2008 Shakespeare Theatre Company Free For All, visit ShakespeareTheatre.org.

TICKETS: All tickets are free. Individuals may get up to four free tickets on the day of the performance at the following locations:

* Sidney Harman Hall: 610 F Street NW. Tuesdays through Sundays beginning at noon.
* Carter Barron Amphitheatre: 16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW. Tuesdays through Sundays beginning at noon.
* The Washington Post: 1150 15th Street NW. Tuesdays through Fridays only, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
* Online: A limited number of tickets will be available at ShakespeareTheatre.org from May 22 through May 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the day of performance.

PARKING: Free on-site parking is available at Carter Barron but often fills to capacity. Carpooling is recommended.

METRO: Silver Spring station (Red Line): Transfer to an S2 or S4 Metrobus with a “Federal Triangle” destination sign. McPherson Square station (Blue and Orange Lines): Patrons should transfer to an S2 or S4 Metrobus with a “Silver Spring,” “16th & Colorado,” “14th & Aspen,” or “16th & Eastern” destination sign. The Amphitheatre is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop at 16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW. For more information on taking Metro to Carter Barron Amphitheatre, call Metro at 202.637.7000 or visit the Metro website at WMATA.com.

Additionally, lend a hand:
Volunteers
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help the annual Shakespeare Theatre Company Free For All run smoothly. Volunteers receive a complimentary light meal and reserved seating. For more information on volunteering call 202.547.3230 ext. 2319 or email FFAvolunteer@ShakespeareTheatre.org.

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