Lineup includes Hamlet Sandwich, The Three Musketeers, Measure for Measure & As You Like It
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks embarks on their 51st season with a production lineup fit for a king… or perhaps a bard more appropriately. Ranging from well-known favorites like Measure for Measure to an original production of Hamlet with a twist, MSIP is geared up to bring timeless tales of life, love, and tragedy to schools and parks across the Northwest.
“The beginning of a new season is always a fun and exciting time around here,” said Kevin Asselin, Executive Artistic Director. “Our team and crew have been working hard to put together performances that not only honor Shakespeare’s immortal stories, but also bring about new relevance and understanding in today’s world. We can’t wait to see these stories come alive on stage!”
The traveling group’s 2023 season begins in elementary classrooms with an original Montana Shakes! production, Hamlet Sandwich. Adapted from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the play walks elementary students through the heart of this Shakespearean classic, replacing tragedy with uplifting lessons on bullying and creative imagination.
As warmer weather prevails, MSIP will hit the road for their free summer tour, bringing two unforgettable productions to the stage – Dumas’ The Three Musketeers and Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. With a cast of 10, the crew will travel across Montana and neighboring states, performing, as always, under the welcoming blue skies of the west.
To wrap up, MSIP will end the season with their Shakespeare in the Schools production of As You Like It. A story of entangled romance and comedy, where all the world’s a stage, As You Like It is a keep-you-on-your-toes production, sure to captivate middle and high school students with its happily ever after.
Born from aspirations to bring the timeless tales of William Shakespeare directly to rural and under-served communities, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has been enriching the lives of people in Montana, and beyond, for more than 50 years. In addition to their free summer and winter tours, MSIP provides robust educational programs through their Shakespeare in the Schools program and Montana Shakes! interactive plays and workshops.
Further details on MSIP’s 2023 productions can be found at www.shakespeareintheparks.org. •
