Shakespeare Under the Stars presents ‘Love’s Labour Lost’

WEST HARTFORD » The artistic team at Capital Classics thinks we’ll want a good laugh this summer. That’s why it’s staging Shakespeare’s popular comedy “Love’s Labour’s Lost” for the Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival, which runs for three weekends (July 13–30, 2017), outdoors on the grounds of the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford.

Performances are held Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5:30 p.m.

In “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” Capital Classics will bring its spirited, raucous performance style to this rambunctious comedy of love, as a cast of characters stumbles and bumbles its way in pursuit of love with true Shakespearean silliness and joy.

“’Love’s Labour’s Lost” will be directed by David Watson, associate professor of theatre at the Hartt School and vice president of the board of directors of Capital Classics. The artistic team includes longtime collaborators, such as David Regan (set design), Vivianna Lamb (costumes), Robyn Joyce (lighting design), Matthew Valliere (technical director) and Chloe Trotta-Smith (stage manager).

“’Love’s Labour’s Lost’ is often acknowledged as Shakespeare’s most beautiful comedy of language,” said Director David Watson. “Every scene, every encounter is a delightful verbal tennis match. It’s a battle of the sexes — with four pairs of lovers. As an added treat, Shakespeare draws from the hilarious comic tradition of the Commedia del’Arte, giving us Zani servants, a love-sick Capitano, and two Docttores with much to say on every topic. The question is: how will this conversation ever end?”

As Connecticut’s oldest continuously running Shakespeare festival, Capital Classics has a reputation for making Shakespeare accessible and affordable. Over its three-weekend run, the Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival attracts more than 2,000 fans, who turn out each summer with their family and friends (and picnic baskets) on the grounds of the University of Saint Joseph to enjoy outdoor “Shakespeare under the stars.”

The cast of Capital Classics’ “Love’s Labour’s Lost” features Caitlin Harrity (Princess of France), Emma Krishnaswami (Rosaline), David Nottingham (King Ferdinand) and Billy Saunders Jr. (Berowne). Krishnaswami returns to Capital Classics after playing the role of Bianca in last season’s Othello, and both Emma Krishnaswami and Billy Saunders Jr. are recent graduates from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.

Many returning Capital Classics favorites will be part of the festival, including Jhulenty Delossantos (Dumaine), Michael Nowicki (Don Armado), David Regan (Holofernes), Geoffrey Sheehan (Costard), Laura Sheehan (Boyet) and Debra Walsh (Sir Nathaniel and Marcade).

The cast also includes Chris Bailey (Longaville), Maura Bonini (Jaquenetta), Eddie DeJesus-Diaz (Anthony Dull), Ariana Ortmann (Katherine), Dominique Rose (Maria) and Corey Welden (Moth).

Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to the Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival to enjoy pre-show entertainment, such as Youth in Community Arts performances on Thursdays; the Elizabethan Consort on Fridays; local music groups for Prize Night on Saturdays; and lectures by local experts for the “Professor Series” on Sundays. Visit HartfordShakespeare.org for the Festival calendar of events.

“Love’s Labour’s Lost” and the Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival are produced by the Capital Classics Theatre Company, in partnership with the Carol Autorino Center for the Arts and Humanities. Capital Classics is committed to providing job opportunities and training to Connecticut’s professional and student theatre artists. The Festival is supported in part by the Ensworth Charitable Foundation, the Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation, the John and Kelly Hartman Foundation, the Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation and the University of Saint Joseph

The festival is held on the grounds of the University of Saint Joseph, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford. In case of rain, performances will be held inside the adjacent Hoffman Auditorium.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students/seniors, and are available at the door or at the Frances Driscoll Box office at 860231-5555 or online at USJ. edu/arts

Learn more about Capital Classics and the 2017 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival at HartfordShakespeare.org or Facebook.com/CapitalClassics.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAPITAL CLASSICS Cast members Billy Saunders Jr. and Emma Krishnaswami will appear in “Love’s Labour Lost” during the Shakespeare Under the Stars festival in West Hartford.