BOZEMAN – Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will perform “Hamlet” and “Twelfth Night” during its upcoming 2012 tour throughout Montana, northern Wyoming, eastern Idaho, western North Dakota and eastern Washington this summer.
In its 40th season, the troupe expects to perform 76 performances in 59 communities in the region. The company features 10 professional actors selected by national auditions who tour without technical assistance to bring live theatre to communities primarily in rural areas.
The company launches its 10-week tour with eight performances in Bozeman before hitting the road July 2 and concluding its summer tour on Sept. 9. This year performances have been added in Columbus, Whitehall and two days in Butte.
“This summer, the anticipated audience of more than 30,000 people will be treated to two wonderful performances that cover the broad perspective of Shakespeare’s genius as a playwright,” said Joel Jahnke, MSIP’s artistic director and a professor of theater at Montana State University.
Jahnke directs “Hamlet,” which he said is almost universally hailed as the greatest play ever written in the English language. Associate artistic director William Brown directs “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare’s comedy of wild infatuation and mistaken identities.
All performances of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, with the exception of those at Bozeman’s Sweet Pea Festival, are free and tickets are not needed for admission. Audiences are encouraged to show up prior to the appointed curtain time with chairs, blankets, a picnic supper, and friends and family to enjoy the evening.
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is an outreach program of MSU’s College of Arts and Architecture. Grants, corporate sponsorships and individual donors help support the performances.
2012 selected shows from the tour schedule
June 20-23 – Bozeman, Hamlet, MSU Grove, 8 p.m.
June 27-30 – Bozeman, Twelfth Night, MSU Grove, 8 p.m.
July 2 – Dillon, Twelfth Night, JayCee Park, 6 p.m.
July 3 – Big Timber, Hamlet, City Park, 6 p.m.
July 15 – Sheridan, Wyo., Twelfth Night, Kendrick Park, 6:30 p.m.
July 16 – Billings, Twelfth Night, Pioneer Park, 6:30 p.m.
July 17 – Billings, Hamlet, Pioneer Park, 6:30 p.m.
July 19 – Worland, Wyo., Twelfth Night, Sanders Park, 6 p.m.
July 22 – Red Lodge, Hamlet, Lions Park, 6 p.m.
July 24 – Cody, Wyo., Hamlet, Canal Park, 6:30 p.m.
July 25 – Absarokee, Hamlet, Fishtail Family Park, 6 p.m.
July 26 – Columbus, Twelfth Night, Heritage Park, 6 p.m.
July 27 – Cooke City/ Silver Gate, Hamlet, Silver Gate Park, 6 p.m.
July 28 – Gardiner, Twelfth Night, Arch Park, 6 p.m.
Aug. 1 – Driggs, Idaho, Twelfth Night, Driggs City Park, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 2 – West Yellowstone, Twelfth Night, Union Pacific Building (indoor), 6 p.m.
Aug. 3 – Sweet Pea, Bozeman, Twelfth Night, Lindley Park, 4:30 p.m. (admission fee)
Aug. 5 – Sweet Pea, Bozeman, Hamlet, Lindley Park, 5 P.M. (admission fee)
Aug. 11 – Deer Lodge, Twelfth Night, Old Montana Prison Yard, 6 p.m.
Aug. 12 – Boulder, Twelfth Night, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 6 p.m.
Aug. 13 – Helena, Hamlet, Pioneer Park- next to Lewis and Clark Library, 6 p.m.
Aug. 14 – Helena, Twelfth Night, Pioneer Park
Aug. 15 – Philipsburg, Hamlet, Philipsburg City Park, 6 p.m.
Aug. 16 – St. Ignatius, Twelfth Night, St. Ignatius Amphitheater, 6 p.m.
Sept. 2 – Manhattan, Twelfth Night, Alterbrand Park, 6 p.m.
Sept. 4 – Townsend, Hamlet, Heritage Fun Park, 6 p.m.
Sept. 5 – Whitehall, Hamlet, Whitehall School Lawn, 6 p.m.
Sept. 6 – Chico, Twelfth Night, Main Lawn, 6 p.m.
Sept. 7 – Big Sky, Hamlet, Town Center, 6 p.m.
Sept. 8 – Laurel, Twelfth Night, Laurel Practice Football Field, 6 p.m.
Sept. 9 – Bozeman, Hamlet, Ellen Theater (indoor venue), 1 p.m.
