Shows & Events
Theatre
West Side Story
Who: Presented by the Great River Educational Arts Theatre (GREAT)
Where: Paramount Theatre
When: April 28 - May 13
How Much: Click Here for Tickets ranging from $18-$22
The world's greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time. Fall in love at first sight with this passionate musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.
Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream for Kids
Who: Presented by the Great River Educational Arts Theatre (GREAT)
Where: Stephen B. Humphrey Theatre, St. John's University
When: May 18-20
How Much: Click here for tickets priced at $10
The play's the thing!* Come see one of William Shakespeare's most hilarious and enchanting works comes to the stage in a production created especially for students. Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is a whimsical story of love, mischief, matchmaking and magic as four young lovers enter the woods on a midsummer's night and get caught up in a lover's quarrel between the king and queen of faeries. Expect the unexpected with our fanciful, glimmering vision of laughter and mayhem in this classic turned modern comedic fantasy.
As You Like It
Who: Presented by SCSU School of the Arts, Department of Theatre and Film Studies and Dramatic Action
Where: Arena Stage, Performing Arts Center
When: May 17-20
How Much: Tickets available at the door priced at $10
Shakespeare's classic comedy is staged in an intimate in-the-round environment and set during the "summer of love," with an all-Beatles soundtrack. This classic comedy centers on the strange courtship of Rosalind and Orlando. After a brief, chance meeting, Orlando flees the dangers of his brother's jealousy and Rosalind is suddenly banished from the court. With her cousin Celia, Rosalind sets off for the Forest of Arden, where by chance she discovers Orlando, the object of her affections. There's small catch: she has disguised herself in her travels as a boyish young man. This timeless story proves that "All You Need is Love."
Much Ado About Nothing
Who: Presented by Technical High School Drama Department
Where: Tech High School
When: May 18-20
How Much: Click Here For Tickets ranging from $5-$10
Everyone can see that Beatrice and Benedick are meant for each other except Beatrice and Benedick. Claudio and Hero, themselves newly betrothed, conspire to trick the two into announcing their feelings and falling for each other. Meanwhile, a bitter and troublesome Don John schemes to destroy Claudio and Hero's engagement by besmirching Hero's reputation. Join students from Tech High school as they perform this classic tale of matched wits and love.
Film
Titus Andronicus
Where: Paramount Theatre
When: April 10 at 7:00pm
How Much: Free
The acclaimed stage director Julie Taymor ( The Lion King & Spider Man, Turn Off The Dark) in her feature film debut. Titus returns victorious from war, only to plant the seeds of future turmoil for himself and his family. War begets revenge. Victorious general, Titus Andronicus, returns to Rome with hostages: Tamora queen of the Goths and her sons. He orders the eldest hewn to appease the Roman dead. He declines the proffered emperor's crown, nominating Saturninus, the last ruler's venal elder son. Saturninus, to spite his brother Bassianus, demands the hand of Lavinia, Titus's daughter. When Bassianus, Lavinia, and Titus's sons flee in protest, Titus stands against them and slays one of his own. Saturninus marries the honey-tongued Tamora, who vows vengeance against Titus. Who says revenge is sweet? This event is rated R.
Roman Polanski's Macbeth
Where: Paramount Theatre
When: May 8 at 7:00pm
How Much: Free
A ruthlessly ambitious Scottish lord siezes the throne with the help of his scheming wife and a trio of witches. Roman Polanski's brutal, sexy film version of Macbeth continues to puzzle viewers and critics alike, particularly as it was financed by Playboy. The film operated in the tradition of the "Theatre of Cruelty" as it presented a collage of bleak landscapes and underscores the eerily contemporary themes of cynicism, political assassination and terrorism. This event is rated R.
Music
Strike The Viol
Who: Presented by the Minnesota Center Chorale
Where: Calvary Community Church
When: April 29 at 3:00pm
How Much: Click here for tickets ranging from $5-$15
Join MCC and special guest instrumentalists for a concert highlighting the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare in madrigals, opera choruses, and modern choral works featuring compositions by Purcell, Diemer, Nygard, Schubert, Dickau, Quilter, Verdi and others.
Visual Art
West Side Story All Ages Art Show
Who: Presented by Visual Arts Minnesota
Where: Paramount Theatre Lobby
When: April 27 - May 15
How Much: Free
Visual Arts Minnesota invites artists of all ages to participate in the West Side Story Themed art show as part of the City Wide Shakespeare Festival! The exhibit will be in the Paramount Theatre Lobby Gallery where the musical will be presented by GREAT THEATRE. There is no cost for artists to participate. Artwork should be inspired by the play, soundtrack, or themes from West Side Story. This is open to interpretation!
Call for Entries: Click here to submit your entry
Drop Off: Tuesday, April 24, 3pm - 6pm
Shakespeare All Ages Art Show
Who: Presented by Visual Arts Minnesota
Where: St. Cloud Public Library
When: April 4 - May 15
How Much: Free
Visual Artists of all ages are invited to participate in the Citywide Shakespeare Festival by submitting a work that will be on exhibit at the new St. Cloud Public Library! The exhibition is free and open to the public. Artists do not have to pay a submission fee. Pieces can be submitted that are inspired by a piece of Shakespeare's work (or the man himself!) This exhibit is open to interpretation. Artists of all ages are encouraged to submit work!
Call for Entries: Click here to submit your entry
Drop Off: April 3rd after 3pm at the St. Cloud Library
Installation: April 3rd
Literary
St. Cloud Public Library Interactive Shakespearean Display
Who: St. Cloud Public Library
Where: St. Cloud Public Library
When: March 23-May 20
Check out the Interactive displays and activities throughout the library including: Word searches, interesting Shakespearean facts, famous lines, what's in a word, and building your own Shakespeare paper doll.
Poetry
History
Stearns Shakespeare Display
What: Display of photos of Stearns County Students performing Shakespeare Plays from turn of the century to today.
Where: Stearns History Museum
When: March 23-May 20
How Much: Members free, included in Museum Admission
Granite City Brewery
I would give all my fame for a pot of ale.* **You've had to scroll all the way to the bottom of this events page, but it was totally worth it to learn about our custom created ShakesBEER (exclusive at Granite City.) Truly more of an Ale. Get thee some today!
Here is what you missed from the Festival:
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Abridged
Who: Presented by Pioneer Place Theatre Company
Where: Pioneer Place on Fifth
When: February 10 - March 4
How Much: Click Here for Tickets ranging from $18-$21
The show that started it all for Pioneer Place some thirteen years ago is finally returning! The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) will return in all of its ridiculousness for 18 performances February 10-12, 16-19, 23-26, & March 1-4. In this hilarious romp, you will see ALL of Shakespeare's 37 Plays in 97 Minutes! An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard's plays, this is London's longest-running comedy , performing 10 years on the West End. Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless with laughter.
The Taming Of The Shrew
Who: Presented by Shattuck-St. Mary's Fesler-Lampert Performing Arts Series
Where: Hewhall Auditorium
When: Thur. March 22 at 7:30pm
How Much: Click Here for Tickets ranging from $9-$15
The National Players troupe has earned a distinctive place in American theater.
They are America’s longest running touring company, presenting the world’s
greatest dramatic literature to audiences from coast to coast for over sixty years.
This year they bring William Shakespeare’s bawdy comedy “The Taming of the Shrew”
to the Newhall stage as part of SSM’s Shakespeare Week. National Players present
the show with a Wild West flare. Cowboy boots, whips, and lassos give a biting punch
to this classic. The play is an examination of the nature of love and relationships that
focuses on a battle of wills between two strong and independent individuals. The verbal duel never stops in this rollicking western comedy!
TO BE OR NOT TO BE: A Writing and Performance Workshop Inspired by Shakespeare
What: Poetry Slam Workshop conducted by Cynthia French
Where: St. Cloud Techncial and Community College, Room 187
When: Wednesday, February 22nd 3:30 to 5:00
How Much: Students Free, Community Members $5
Romeo and Juliet
Who: Presented by Pioneer Place Theatre Company
Where: Pioneer Place on Fifth
When: March 16 - April 1
How Much: Click Here For Tickets Ranging From $18-$21
Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's classic tale of romance and tragedy. Two families of Verona, the Montagues and the Capulets, have been feuding with each other for years. Young Romeo Montague goes out with his friends to make trouble at a party the Capulets are hosting, but while there he spies the Capulet's daughter Juliet, and falls hopelessly in love with her. She returns his affections, but they both know that their families will never allow them to follow their hearts. For this production, Director Michael Kelley will take a new look at this tragedy as he stages it with a very modern flair, while still maintaining the language and brilliant story. You will be in awe as these characters come to life on our stage.
Shakespeare Celebration
Who: Presented by the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra
Where: Ritsche Auditorium, St. Cloud State University
When: March 31 at 7:30pm
How Much: Click here for tickets ranging from $5-$25
The orchestra, under the baton of guest conductor Keitaro Harada, will perform the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by P. I. Tchaikovsky, Selections from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 by Sergei Prokofiev and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. Experience a full stage of seventy plus local musicians perform music inspired by the works of William Shakespeare.
Theatre Workshops
Shakespeare In The Spring Workshop - Performance
Who: Presented by Pioneer Place Theatre Company
Where: Pioneer Place on Fifth
When: March 3 - April 1
How Much: Cost $100, Limit 8
Led by Artistic Director Michael Kelley, this workshop starts with the core of Shakespeare: text. Prior to the first day of class, students will be asked to come to an “audition” to be placed in a scene with a fellow classmate. From there, students will hit the ground running, as we explore and analyze the text, finally bringing it to the stage. Classes are Saturdays from 9am-Noon, for ages 16 and up. This workshop is open to students, amateurs and professionals, and will conclude with a public performance on April 1st at 7:30PM. Spots are limited, so register today!
Call (320) 203-0331 to register by March 3rd.
Shakespeare In The Spring Workshop - Fighting
Who: Presented by Pioneer Place Theatre Company
Where: Pioneer Place on Fifth
When: March 3 - April 1
How Much: $100, Limit 8
In this workshop students will study three forms of common Shakespearean stage fighting: hand-to-hand combat, broadsword and the rapier/dagger fight. Led by Artistic Director Michael Kelley, this class will explore some of the most fun, visceral, and passionate scenes written by Shakespeare. After learning basic stage fighting techniques, students will incorporate Shakespeare’s text from his most famous fight scenes, and finally, block their own fights. Classes are Saturdays from 1pm-4pm for ages 16 and up. This class is for Shakespeare lovers/ fighters with any level of experience. Public performance on April 1st, at 7:30 PM.
Call (320) 203-0331 to register by March 3rd.
Five Good Reasons present My Spirit Sang All Day
Who: Five Good Reason Quintent
Where: Atonement Lutheran Church
When: Friday, March 23 at 7:00pm and
Where: Waite Park Library
When: Saturday, March 24 at 11:30am
How Much: Free
If music be the food of love, play on!* * Join Duane Anderson, Jody Martinson, Kristen Mattick, Pamela Moench and Jason Parker for a free performance of music for the whole family.
*William Shakespeare, Hamlet.
**William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night.
***William Shakespeare, Henry V