ESU Presents our Annual Shakespeare Festival Group Night

Event

The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival's 24^th season brings to Kansas City audiences one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, Twelfth Night. It was believed to have been written around 1601–02 as a Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season.

Like so many of Shakespeare plays, Twelfth Night relies on mistaken identity, deception, disguises, trickery and double entendres for its humor. It is a hilarious, yet romantic comedy that displays Shakespeare's tendency to write themes that are ahead of his time, featuring scenes including gender reversal, practical jokes, raucous antics, ravishing language and rich characters.

In Shakespeare's captivating comedy, mismatched lovers and devious tricksters navigate the slippery shores of Illyria in search of their own happy endings. This is a lively and funny play that all audiences will enjoy.

This promises to be a spectacular production with lavish stage sets, colorful costuming and all of our favorite actors and actresses: Bree Elrod as Viola, Vanessa Severo as Olivia, Scott Cordes as Sir Toby Belch, Bruce Roach as Malvolio, and Cinnamon Schultz as Maria, just to name a few in this great cast!  Twelfth Night is directed by Sidonie Garrett who is a terrific supporter of the ESU of Kansas City.

If you like Shakespeare, a beautiful evening outdoors in the park, and sharing with friends and family, then plan to join fellow ESU members and friends to experience the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival's production of Twelfth Night.  We will be attending Twelfth Nightas a group. Our Folger Shakespeare Master Corp Teacher, Jessica Cakrasenjaya, who is the Folger teacher for our ESU-Folger Teaching Shakespeare Workshop, will be joining our group to see the Twelfth Night. Please join us for this fun evening and welcome Jessica to one of Shakespeare's best comedies.

When:  Wednesday, June 15 at Southmoreland Park.  We will have reserved seats. Curtain is 8:00 pm.

Tickets:We are have arranged a group discount for our reserved seats at a price of $20.00 per seat--this is a savings of $5.00 off the regular price. To purchase your tickets, simply phone the Festival's office at (816) 531-7728. Tell them you are ordering a reserved seat for the "ESU Group" so you will get the $20.00 discount price. You can pay over the phone by credit card. They do not issue physical tickets. When you arrive at the Park, just tell the staff at the entrance you are part of the ESU Group and have a reserved seat. They have a list of names of reserved seat holders and will direct you to the section where our group will be sitting.

Show Talk:  "Show Talk," presented by local Shakespeare enthusiast, Philip blue owl Hooser and scholar Felicia Hardison Londré gives audiences an entertaining and educational preview of the play which begins at 7:00 PM. You are welcome to arrive by 7:00 pm. Otherwise, just plan to be at the park before the 8:00 PM "curtain."

Twelfth Night Parody:  The Green Show features Team Shakespeare teens, presenting a 20-minute parody version of the Festival play. Two performances: 6:30 and 7:15.

Food Options—

        A. You may bring your own picnic basket with food and drink items of your choice. 

        B. You may purchase food and beverages from the various vendors at the park.

       C. Blanc Burgers + Bottles has a stand offering a selection of grilled burgers and brats, sandwiches and salads.

         D.  Other snacks are available too…funnel cakes, kettle corn, soft drinks, bottled water and more!

Donations:  The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization. While the $20.00 for your reserved seat is not tax-deductible, if you choose to make an additional contribution above $20.00, those additional amounts ARE tax deductible (even $5.00 or $10.00 are greatly appreciated). To make an additional donation to the Shakespeare Festival, there are two ways to make it easy:

    1.  When you call the Festival office (816-531-7728) to reserve your seat, just tell them you would also like to make an additional tax-deductible donation. They will add that amount to your credit card (or you can mail a separate check for the donation if you wish). They will send you a receipt for tax purposes. 

    2.  You may make a donation online and pay by credit card. Click here.           

They will send you a receipt for tax purposes.

Parking:  For detailed parking information: Click here.       

Allow yourself plenty of time to park and walk to the Festival's entrance. 

Carpooling:  If anyone wants to use their car to carpool to reduce the number of cars, let us  know and I'll pass along information so members can contact the carpool drivers to make pick up arrangements.

Weather:  It's usually very pleasant in the park by curtain-time.  Watch forecasts and plan accordingly.

Friends of ESU and Guests:  If you have friends or relatives who would like to join our group at the discounted price, please feel free to invite them.  They should arrange for their reserved seats as stated above.  Be sure they mention that they are part of the ESU Group

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