Maryland Shakespeare Festival

Love, Hate, and Just Desserts
Fill Festival's Fund-Raiser

The Maryland Shakespeare Festival in Frederick is celebrating Valentine's Day with a lot of love and a little bit of hate, too.

"Shakespeare: Love and Hate" on Saturday, Feb. 16, is the festival's first-ever Valentine's Day tie-in fund-raiser with proceeds going to support the company's Good Will Summer Tour, which takes free Shakespeare to parks throughout the state. The program will feature scenes for couples in and out of love; and for those without a date, the festivities will include scenes and songs for singles, too.

The range of scenes and sonnets from the Bard will examine the many facets of love, including popular moments from such plays as Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Richard III. Musical interludes performed by MSF's acting company will tie the action together. Audience members can also purchase a sonnet to be read to a special someone by one of the actors during the show. Wine, beer, and other beverages will be available along with a selection of catered desserts, all in a relaxed, cabaret-style atmosphere.

Sonnet-a-grams will also be available at some downtown restaurants on the two evenings before the show. Advanced reservations to have one of MSF's talented thespians deliver a sonnet to your love are suggested. Participating restaurants include The Tasting Room, Acacia, and Isabella's. Contact MSF to schedule a Sonnet-a-gram and get a full list of participating downtown restaurants.

"Shakespeare: Love and Hate" will be at All Saints Episcopal Church, 105 W. Church St., Frederick, MD 21701. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show will start at 8:30, so those who want to enjoy fine dining in downtown Frederick can eat a relaxed dinner and join MSF afterward for dessert and Shakespeare. Tickets are $25 for singles and $40 for couples. Sonnet-a-grams are $25. For tickets and more information, call 301-668-4090 or visit www.mdshakes.org.

February 14, 2013

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