Muneefa Abdullah is the Kuwaiti author of the children’s book “New Fairy Tales.” In her newest ebook “LORDOFSPIES,” she writes about William Shakespeare, the English playwright, poet, and actor who is widely considered as the greatest writer in the English language. (Muneefa Abdullah, 2023)
“LORDOFSPIES” – Shakespeare’s lost years are explained, revealed, the lost queen of England, the fair youth, all in the shadow of one man Robert Poley. The son of Stratford upon Avon who became the spy. The book started as a research and ended with a ghost of three men; two like beacons in the night and one like a shadow. This is an ebook about the famous poet William Shakespeare’s missing seven years, the secret identity, and why he chose to be in shadows. It will explain all the contradictions in his life.
‘The Taming of the Shrew’ will be playing at Palo Alto College’s Performing Arts Center Auditorium. Photo: Teatro Audaz, used with permission.
Teatro Audaz San Antonio’s next production is William Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew.’ Teatro Audaz gives this classic battle of the sexes tale a Latinx twist. Set in a Texas border town in 2018, this production cautions audiences to be careful what they wish for and invites them to come and find out who is taming who. In collaboration with Teatro Palo Alto. Thursday January 10 through Saturday January 12 at 7:30p.m. and Sunday January 13 at 2:30p.m. Tickets are $15 and are available online. It is directed by Laura T. Garza and stars Victoria Gutierrez as Grumio, Olivia Guerras as Bianca, Ruby Lopez as Wife/Kate and Gabriel Itzcoatl Luera as Sly/Petruchio.
Palo Alto College
Palo Alto Performing Arts Center Auditorium
1400 W. Villaret Blvd.
San Antonio, TX 78224
John Stillwagon and Carolyn Dellinger in The Classic Theatre’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.
September may be coming to an end, but there are still three more chances to catch one of William Shakespeare’s most famous comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio. It consists of four interconnecting love stories, connected by a celebration of the wedding of Duke Theseus of Athens and the Amazon queen Hippolyta, which is set simultaneously in the woodland and in the realm of Fairyland, under the light of the moon. Sometimes while dreaming and desiring, a little magic is all it takes to set the course of love, comedy and reality in motion. Upcoming showtimes Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ opens with four characters who are wrapped up in a love quarrel: Hermia who is in love with Lysander but whose father has promised her to Demetrius and Helena, Hermia’s best friend who secretly pines for Demetrius who broke up with her to be with Hermia. There is also Peter Quince, who along with his friends Nick Bottom, Francis Flute, Robin Starveling, Tom Snout and Snug are preparing to put on a play for the wedding of the Duke Theseus of Athens and the Amazon queen Hippolyta, which is titled “Pyramus and Thisbe.” In the parallel realm of Fairyland, Oberon, king of the fairies and Titania, his queen are estranged because of her refusal to give him her changeling. He plans to shame her into changing her mind and instructs his faithful servant Puck to help him. With the help of a magical flower, Puck wreaks havoc in the forest by causing everyone to fall for the wrong person. Eventually everything returns to normal and the actors perform the play for Theseus, Hippolyta and the lovers but the actor’s performances are so bad that the guests laugh as if it were a comedy. When everyone goes to bed, Oberon, Titania, Puck and the other fairies bless the house and its occupants with good fortune.
The story and the subplots can get confusing but the cast does a splendid job of moving the action along under the expert direction of Joe Goscinski. The poetic dialogue flows effortlessly throughout the production and the lighting and staging create a magical environment. Compared to Shakespeare’s other works, this is a light-hearted comedy and had the audience laughing all night. Jordon Acker, Kacey Roye, Tyler Smith and Hunter Wulff are excellent as the quartet of lovers but Maggie Tonra steals the show as the fiendish Puck. For anyone who has ever wanted to see a Shakespearean play but found the material intimidating, The Classic Theatre’s performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is the perfect way to dive right in. The combination of magic, action, love and humor along with the high-grade caliber performances from the entire cast makes this a show not to be missed. This is classic Shakespeare at its best.
John Stillwagon and Carolyn Delinger in William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ now playing at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio opened their 11th season on Friday with Shakespeare’s comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ This classic production will run until Sunday September 30 with show dates on Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. Tickets are available online and are $33 for general admission, $29 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $18 for students. Valid ID required. Season Passes are now available. (The Classic Theatre, 2018)
In ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ magic, action, love and humor are the ingredients for this unforgettable spell. Shakespeare’s most famous comedy features four interconnecting love stories, connected by a wedding celebration, which is set simultaneously in the woodland and in the realm of Fairyland, under the light of the moon. But sometimes while dreaming and desiring, a little magic is all it takes to set the course of love, comedy and reality in motion.
Student Performances nights are on September 20 and September 27, 2018 at 7p.m. and include a talk back with the cast and crew after the show.
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450
Allan Ross as Prospero, Grace Lamberson as Miranda and Hunter Wulff as Ferdinand in ‘The Tempest.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Last Friday William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ opened successfully at The Classic Theatre to a sold out audience with a library-themed set and newly renovated seating. With the weekend here, there’s three more chances to see quality classic theater in San Antonio. Thought to be one of Shakespeare’s last and greatest work it is part fairy tale and part romance with a touch of magic.
The story takes place on a remote island where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place as princess of Milan. Years later he develops magical powers and taking advantage that Antonio and his men are in a ship nearby he summons a storm that maroons them on the island. He is aided by Ariel, a spirit, and the slave Caliban, played by John Stillwaggon, last seen at The Classic Theatre in ‘Santaland Diaries.’
Allan S Ross stars as the mature and intelligent Prospero and seems right at home doing Shakespeare. Grace Lamberson is equally impressive as the young Miranda. This time around the male roles are cast as females and the ladies rock the roles. The highlight of the show are the funny scenes, especially those with Linda Ford as Trinculo and Rick Clyde as Stephano. Their drunken shenanigans had the audience roaring with laughter. The most memorable quote from the show is “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” Overall the cast and crew have done an excellent job in bring ‘The Tempest’ to the stage. It is a must see for classic theater fans and it does not disappoint.
‘The Tempest’ is now playing at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio through March 12, 2017. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. and tickets are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450
Allan Ross as Prospero, Grace Lamberson as Miranda and Hunter Wulff as Ferninand in The Classic Theatre of San Antonio’s production of ‘The Tempest.’ Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.
The mission of The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is to produce classic plays with contemporary connections and this continues with their next production. William Shakespeare’s comedy ‘The Tempest’ opens at The Classic Theatre stage on Friday February 17 and will run until Sunday March 12, 2017. This is considered one of Shakespeare’s last and greatest work and is part fairy tale and part romance with a touch of magic. The story is set on a remote island where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place as princess of Milan using illusion and skillful manipulation. It features begrudged creatures and drunken clowns, charmed royals and magical spirits who all struggle between the temptation for revenge and the grace of forgiveness and humility. Mark McCarver is the director and co-founder Allan S Ross stars as Prospero and Grace Lamberson as Miranda. (The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 2017)
Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Ticket prices are $25 for general admission, $20 for senior, military, educator or SATCO and $10 for students and are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450. There will be a complimentary champagne reception on opening night Friday February 17, 2017. Following the Sunday March 5 show at 3p.m. there will be a ‘Community Talk Back’ discussion about the play.
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450
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