Following preview for the 2004 Summer Season appeared in the June 6, 2004 of the New York Times
NEW JERSEY WEEKLY DESK
JERSEY FOOTLIGHTS
By MICHELLE FALKENSTEIN (NYT)
Published: June 6, 2004
''Summer's lease hath all too short a date,'' Shakespeare lamented in Sonnet18. But the many productions of his plays this summer should help lengthen the days pleasurably.
THE PRINCETON REP SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
For those who like their Shakespeare alfresco, the Princeton Rep will present ''Romeo and Juliet'' through June 27, then ''Much Ado About Nothing'' from July 15 to Aug. 18 at Pettoranello Gardens Amphitheater, Community Park North, in Princeton. All performances take place Thursdays through Sundays at 8 p.m.; they are free, though a $10 donation is suggested. The actors who play Romeo and Juliet, Johnny Giacolone and Nicol Zanzarella, plan to marry right after the play's run, according to the company's artistic director, Victoria Liberatori. ''Their chemistry is just fabulous,'' she said. Information: (609)921-3682.
THE SHAKESPEARE THEATER OF NEW JERSEY
Shakespeare Theater will stage ''Love's Labour's Lost'' from Tuesday through June 27 and ''Richard II'' from Aug. 10 to 29 at F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theater at Drew University in Madison. The artistic director, Bonnie J. Monte, finds ''Richard II'' apt for modern times. ''It's about the nature of good government, and what makes a good leader,'' she said. ''Richard II is not a good leader, and they get rid of him.'' Information: (973)408-5600.
THE HUDSON SHAKESPEARE COMPANY -- The troupe will offer ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' through June 30, ''Coriolanus'' from June 15 to July 16 and ''Cymbeline'' from Aug. 2 to 23 at a range of outdoor locations throughout the state (and at no cost). Many of the sites have limited or no seating, and those who attend are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. '''Cymbeline' celebrates and sends up the usual fairy-tale stuff,'' said Jon Ciccarelli, the company's artistic director and the director of the play. A complete schedule can be found at www.hudsonshakespeare.org.
