GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Historic Town Hall is set to host a 90-minute production of William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The directors, Lydia Babcock and Isaac Slater, are committed to making this show fun, memorable, and accessible for all audiences. Babcock, who had directed a production of “Grease” at the town hall over the summer, is particularly invested in restoring the town hall as a community place for great local theatre. She has been working on a thesis regarding the use of witchcraft in Winter’s Tale all semester long, and is excited to bring her magical vision to life.
“The Winter’s Tale” is a special show in Shakespeare’s catalogue, being the only play categorized as a romance due to its moving, heart-wrenching themes of love, jealousy, and family. As thrilling a play as any in the Bard’s cannon, audience members can expect to see kings attempting to assassinate kings, live musical performances from clowns, and even a bear attack play out right in front of their eyes.
What sets this production apart is the infusion of live, modern music, a cast and production team who are all committed to ensuring that Shakespeare is as fun and accessible as possible, and a directing team who have studied Shakespeare extensively. Slater is from Oberlin College and is working on an English degree with a focus on Shakespeare’s plays in the modern era.
The Grand Rapids Historic Town Hall provides an intimate and classic setting for this romantic and hilarious tale, reinforcing the town’s commitment to promoting culture and the arts. This production is a pivotal step in an ongoing initiative to bring back quality theater to this space.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
