10 Reasons you need to get to the Michigan Shakespeare Festival this summer August 9, 2014
Posted by ronannarbor in Entertainment, Michigan, Shakespeare, Theatre.Tags: Cymbaline, Hamlet, Jackson, Jackson College, Michigan, Michigan Shakespeare Festival, The Importance of Being Earnest
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With only a couple weekends left, it has come to my attention that some of you have yet to get out to the Michigan Shakespeare Festival this summer…so what are you waiting for? Here are the top 10 reasons you should get out there now, before its over for another season….
1. Shawn Pfautsch in Hamlet
2. Shawn Pfautsch in Hamlet
3. Shawn Pfautsch in Hamlet
4. The superb sparring partners in The Importance of Being Earnest — Joe Lehman and David Blixt are both hilarious, as are Lydia Hiller and Rachel Hull who exude their own merry camaraderie
5. Cymbeline — the rarely produced dramedy is like finding a twenty dollar bill in your pants pocket — you’ve probably never seen it before, and you might not see it again anytime soon…so see it now because it is a magical colorful production.
6. The strong direction of Janice Blixt and Robert Kauzlaric. These folks know what they are doing, and you’ll appreciate the very well edited and clearly focused productions.
7. Its inside!! I can’t believe people still think the Michigan Shakespeare Festival is outside — its not. And its been indoors at Jackson College (nee Jackson Community College) for the past decade…in sumptuous air conditioned bug-free splendor…and next summer it adds three weeks in Canton! So if you are thinking that an evening at the MSF means sitting in a bug-filled Ella Sharp park, then you have waited far too long to go see a show there.
8. MSF is LOA/LORT professional theater — and the quality is superb…and they have Wednesday matinees!!!
9. To count the number of cucumber sandwiches, muffins, and breads that David Blixt consumes over the course of Earnest…and to watch Joe Lehman laugh at him because he doesn’t have to.
10. Because it rivals the Stratford Festival in quality and variety and every season gets stronger and stronger — and its right here in your backyard. I’ve been attending shows at MSF for almost twenty years, and they get better and better each season — they’ve long surpassed my minimal expectations and quite frequently surpass my most stringent expectations.
Presented in Repertoire, you still have the chance to catch:
Saturday Aug 9 – 2:00 Hamlet — 7:30 The Importance of Being Earnest
Sunday Aug 10 – 2:00 Hamlet
Wednesday Aug 13 – 2:00 Hamlet
Thursday Aug 14 – 7:30 Cymbeline
Friday Aug 15 – 7:30 The Importance of Being Earnest (closing)
Saturday Aug 16 – 2:00 Cymbeline (closing) and 7:30 Hamlet
Sunday Aug 17 – 2:00 Hamlet (closing)
Get tickets at http://www.michiganshakespearefestival.com
Hamlet – Michigan Shakespeare Festival – Shawn Pfautsch July 26, 2014
Posted by ronannarbor in Entertainment, Michigan, Shakespeare, Theatre.Tags: Hamlet, Jan Blixt, Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Shawn Pfautsch
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I just got home from this afternoon’s performance of Hamlet, in repertoire at the Michigan Shakespeare Festival. While I don’t usually review non-musicals, I have to give two shout outs…
First, this is an excellent production under the guidance and direction of MSF Artistic Director Janice Blixt. Set in modern era clothing, it resounds as powerfully as it most likely did 420 years ago. Her direction is swift, perfectly focused, and edits are judicial and appropriate. Its a tight, gorgeous production, with beautiful lighting and scenic design, and a small, expertly crafted acting ensemble.
Second, Chicago-area actor Shawn Pfautsch turns in an amazing performance as the Dane…at first reserved and almost lifeless, he quickly takes on the role with an energy and performance force that you have to see. By Act two, he’s barefoot and galavanting around the stage faking his mental deterioration; while instantly being able to transform to composed, plotting, and revengeful. By Act V, he’s a force to behold. Combine his natural abilities with Blixt’s sure directorial hand, and this is a fine, fine Hamlet indeed.
I’m looking forward to the Festival’s other two offerings this summer — The Importance of Being Earnest, and the little-performed Cymbeline — but Hamlet is clearly this season’s centerpiece — and its a remarkable work of art.
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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