A new theater company is about to make a unique offering to the north shore’s vibrant community theatergoing public, and it will be done outside in the afternoon — just as the bard himself often did it in open-air playhouses back in the day.
The Northshore Shakespeare Company will give its debut performance, “Measure for Measure” under the direction of Julie Generes, on Sept. 15-16 outside the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum at 5:30 p.m. It is a “problem play” by William Shakespeare
Founded earlier this year, the new troupe is passionate about professionally producing classic Shakespeare in ways that will engage and excite audience members. In fact, the group plans to bring an annual Shakespeare festival to the area starting in the fall of 2024.
The true focus of Northshore Shakespeare, they say, lies in community collaboration and entertainment; mixing traditional and nontraditional performance techniques to make the bard as entertaining to the masses as possible. True to Shakespeare’s original intent, these productions will encourage everyone to come out and be part of the show.
“Measure for Measure” is the story of a young woman grappling with the morality of giving up sexual purity and beliefs in order to save her brother’s life.
But the cast and its production/direction team expect that the tale might remind audience, in some ways, of Louisiana politics: Plenty of comedy, a cast of real “characters,” moral choices and more. A corrupt lawman, a duke in disguise and the age-old battle between virtue and justice sets the backdrop.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students with an I.D. Buy them at the venue or online by going to https://playmakers-theater-05.webself.net (Click Northshore Shakespeare Co. tab at the top). The play is co-sponsored by Playmakers and the museum.
