CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
A photo from dress rehearsal. Actors (clockwise from lower left) Kendall Segovia, Eric Bermudez, Andie Lerner, Matt Mancuso, and Zak Risinger
OXFORD-SHELTON — The Valley Shakespeare Festival is opening its Ninth Annual Shakespeare In The Park Summer Show this week.
This year’s free offering is “The Adventures of Pericles” by William Shakespeare and George Wilkins, directed by Festival founder, Tom Simonetti.
About The Show
A storm at sea brings love into the life of Pericles, Prince of Tyre; other snatches it away. Many years must pass before fate guides the wandering hero to a poignant reunion with the family he thought he had lost forever.
“We toured a production of Pericles in 2016 to libraries and 4th-8th graders who fell in love with the play. They applauded and responded to how wild the show was. While it is not performed a lot, it is one of the only plays that retains choruses, which in Shakespeare’s day helped to continue the play and clarify the plot. If you hate Shakespeare, this is probably the one you have to see.”
In Year Nine, VSF Expands Its Summer Run
Valley Shakespeare Festival is currently in its 9th season of presenting Free Shakespeare in the Park. Throughout the year they tour to schools, farms, libraries, homeless shelters, and in normal times, the popular Shakespeare in the Bar series.
“The Adventures of Pericles” will run in two parks, Veteran’s Memorial Park in Shelton, from Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 18 at 7 p.m., and at Quarry Walk in Oxford from Thursday, July 22 through Sunday, July 25 at 7 p.m.
Shows are free with a suggested donation of $10. Mask wearing (if you are not vaccinated) and social distancing are encouraged.
Professional Actors Come To CT
All actors in this run of Adventures of Pericles are members of the union for actors, the Actor’s Equity Association (AEA). These five actors – Eric Bermudez, Andie Lerner, Matt Mancuso, Kendall Segovia, and Zak Risinger – will play all the roles in the show. Come on down to the park to see how it is done!
For any questions or weather alerts, please visit www.vsfestival.org or call (203) 513‑9446.
