There鈥檚 a lot to love about summer in Boulder. The trails aren鈥檛 covered in snow anymore, swimming holes finally have enough water for a dip and Shakespeare鈥檚 timeless works fill the nights.
Returning for its 61st season, the brings five classic plays, including William Shakespeare鈥檚 and , to CU Boulder stages through Aug. 12.
and once again plays host to the same brilliant performances that have characterized the festival for years. The nation鈥檚 second-oldest Shakespeare festival is, however, set to embark on some notable changes this .
If you go
Who: Open to the public
What: Colorado Shakespeare Festival
When: June 8 through Aug. 12
Where: Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre and University Theatre
For the first time in many years, CSF will put on two plays not written by Shakespeare: and .
鈥淐yrano is no small undertaking for any theatre company鈥攖his is one we鈥檝e been preparing for years,鈥� said CSF Producing Artistic Director Timothy Orr. 鈥淎nd turning CSF鈥檚 deep bench of character actors loose inside the world of You Can鈥檛 Take It With You will be a joy to watch. I鈥檒l be there, front row.鈥�
Additionally, CSF will perform for the first time in its history. While the exact origins of the play remain unknown, many scholars believe it was co-written by Shakespeare and Thomas Kyd.
Summer season attendees will be treated with activities before and after each production. The Hellems Lawn and are both popular spots for pre-show , and many productions will be accompanied by early in the Shakespeare Gardens.
CSF staff experts will also lead free talks about the productions that will be delivered before most shows, and . After most shows, audience members are invited to stick around for discussions with members of the company at and .
Love鈥檚 Labour鈥檚 Lost: June 8 to Aug. 12
A lighthearted homage to CSF鈥檚 academic settings on the CU Boulder campus,听Love鈥檚 Labour鈥檚 Lost听follows four young men who make a pact to concentrate only on learning and swear off love鈥攋ust as the four loves of their lives wander by. CSF sets this Shakespearean comedy at the turn of the 20th century.
鈥�Love鈥檚 Labour鈥檚 Lost is the original rom-com,鈥� said Orr. 鈥淲e haven鈥檛 seen it on our stage in 10 years and we can鈥檛 wait to revisit it. As with any Shakespeare play, it鈥檒l be interesting to hear what this play has to say to us now.鈥�
Richard III: June 22 to Aug. 11
Shakespeare shares a dark political drama centering on corruption in the government that may feel startlingly relevant to contemporary audiences. The CSF production will explore timely themes surrounding the portrayal and agency of women, whose roles have historically been cut dramatically in productions of the play.
Cyrano de Bergerac: July 6 to Aug. 11
Edmond Rostand鈥檚 iconic romantic comedy will be performed under the stars at The Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre. CSF will tell one of the greatest love stories of all time: a comedy complete with elaborate swordplay, gorgeous language and a timeless romance.
You Can鈥檛 Take It With You: July 20 to Aug. 12
Written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, this three-act classic screwball comedy uses a dinner party to present the idea that ambition and success don鈥檛 necessarily lead to happiness.
The play premiered on Broadway in 1936 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama one year later; its subsequent film adaptation won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director.
Edward III: Aug. 5
This gripping historical play takes audiences back to the beginning of England鈥檚 Hundred Years鈥� War. Part of CSF鈥檚 鈥極riginal Practices鈥� tradition,听Edward III听is a unique, one-night-only performance inspired by the stage practices and styles of Shakespeare鈥檚 own time.
