An entertaining evening of the various writings of the Bard, presented during the summer in Market Square. An old blanket or lawn chair is all you need to view the free performances under the stars. Donations of $5.00 are always welcome.

2009 SHAKESPEARE ON THE SQUARE

A Midsummer Night's Dream

July 16, 18, 24, 26, 30; August 1, 7, 9, 13, 15; 7:00 pm nightly

Directed by Amy Hubbard.

This famous romantic comedy is set in the Athenian woods on one magical midsummer night. Two young lovers, pursued by rivals for their love, spurned fathers and the angry Duke of Athens find themselves lost in a magical woodland peopled by the King and Queen of the fairies and their mischievous henchman, Robin Goodfellow, known as Puck. All three delight in playing games with mere mortals who chance to enter their woods. Add a group of tradesmen seeking a quiet spot to rehearse for their presentation of The Most Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisby, and you have all the ingredients for a wild evening of magic and comedy that could only have come from the imagination of William Shakespeare. “O, what fools these mortals be."

Hamlet

July 17, 19, 23, 25, 31; August 2, 6, 8, 14, 16; 7:00 pm nightly

Directed by Tom Parkhill.

The most famous play ever written, Shakespeare's immortal story of the young prince who suspects his stepfather of murdering his father for his crown - and his wife! Of all of Shakespeare's plays, Hamlet is the most difficult, questioning, disturbing, spiritual, provoking, transcendent, whirling and honest. It is perhaps the playwright's most profound and elusive depiction of the human condition. “To Be, or not to be, that is the question."

View the 2009 Shakespeare calendar here!

Don't Forget

* All performances at Market Square (map), Knoxville, TN are FREE!

* Donations are appreciated!

* Seating is limited, lawn chairs are recommended.