The Playhouse Gives Back with a Free Shakespeare Production on the Green Next to the Playhouse

Ridgefield, CT, August 03, 2007 --(PR.com)-- “As You Like It” is one of William Shakespeare’s most amusing, family-friendly comedies, involving all sorts of subplots. And, for the second year in a row, The Ridgefield Playhouse is hoping families can enjoy this Shakespeare comedy as presented by Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival for free on the field next to the Playhouse. The show, which is outside under a tent, is on Saturday, August 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets to this performance, which is part of the Benziger Family Winery Theater Series, and partially underwritten by the Altria Group, Inc., HealthNet, the Paul and Carol O’Connell and Family, and Sabina and Walter Slavin, are free; however, tickets are necessary to enter the tent and can be secured prior to the event as well as the day of the event. WEBE 108 is the events media sponsor.

It’s a great way to experience Shakespeare and local community sponsors are getting involved to make it an even more enjoyable experience-- Pepsi is donating bottles of Aquafina to audience members, Chez Leonard is going to be selling hotdogs and donating a portion of sales to the Playhouse to support the performance, Westchester Family Magazine will have free magazines and tattoos, Cogolulu Café will have food samplings, Union Savings Bank will be giving away beach balls, and Whistlestop Bakery will have free cookies. The show itself will be just as fabulous as the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival is known for their wonderful interpretations of Shakespeare classics. It’s a show that is filled with interesting sets and wonderful music. “It’s a great way to kick off our Benziger Family Winery Theater Series as well as a way to give back to the community,” says Allison Stockel, Executive Director of The Ridgefield Playhouse. “We do a lot of community outreach and this is just another way to make the arts accessible to everyone.” Indeed, a Hart bus will offer free transportation to families from low income areas to come and see the performance. “Last year, when we presented ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ we had a lot of people who thanked us because they had never seen a live performance of any show, let alone Shakespeare,” explains Ms. Stockel. “They said that it opened up new doors for them. That’s why we do it.” Tickets are free, but must be reserved by calling the box office at 203-438-5795. The Playhouse is located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street.

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