FC Buzz: Summertime … and the theater is easy in Stamford

BY LOU URSONE

That lyric from one of Broadway”™s best-loved musicals (“Showboat”) may hold true for some, but at Curtain Call, no one takes it easy during the summer because there”™s a very full schedule of day and evening activities right through the dog days of summer!

Just as we close out our 23rd season ”“ which ran at 94 percent capacity ”“ we celebrate the 11th anniversary of our free outdoor Shakespeare on the Green program with a production of “Twelfth Night.” As one of Shakespeare”™s best-known plays we expect large crowds of all ages out on the great lawn along-side The Royal Green Restaurant at Sterling Farms.

Lou Ursone
Lou Ursone

Show dates: July 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19. Performances of “Twelfth Night” begin at 7:30 p.m. each evening. The park opens for picnic and seat selection at 6 p.m. Additional parking is available across the street at Davenport Ridge School. Admission is free with suggested contributions of $10 and $20.

Outdoor Shakespeare is a terrific way to introduce audiences to the works of the Bard of Avon. The casual atmosphere makes the entire event less intimidating ”“ more accessible ”“ and ultimately more enjoyable. From Shakespeare aficionados to those hearing his words for the first time, young and old alike will enjoy this production set in modern day. This is a truly terrific, full-family event.

Closing out the summer will be the annual youth musical production ”““The Music Man” ”“ featuring nearly 100 area youth ages 10-21 on and off the stage. Performances in The Kweskin Theatre will be held evenings at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 6-16; and 2 p.m. matinees Aug. 10 and 16.

Filling the daytime hours will be full-day summer theater workshops: Summerstock and Summerstock Jr. Each program runs in two-week sessions throughout the summer. Students age 6-11 and 11-16 will learn from some of the best theater-arts instructors in the area ”“ plus they”™ll have fun.

Curtain Call is the nonprofit theater company in residence at Sterling Farms, 1349 Newfield Ave., Stamford, providing year-round live productions as well as theatre arts educational workshops for youth and adults. Curtain Call has been voted Fairfield County”™s Best Local Theater Group 2005-”™14 and received The Governor”™s Award for Excellence in Culture and Tourism in 2011. Information is available at curtaincallinc.com or by calling 203-329-8207.

Lou Ursone is executive director of Curtain Call Inc., Stamford, a member of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.