The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Shakespeare goes outdoors with live readings
Outdoor Shakespeare returns to Greater Hartford with a reading of Shakespeare’s “rom-com” epic poem, “Venus & Adonis” by members of the Capital Classics Theatre Company, Aug. 5 at HillStead Museum, 35 Mountain Road.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the performance begins at 6:30 p.m. on Hill-Stead Museum’s Veranda and West Lawn. Guests are encouraged to maintain safety standards and bring a blanket, picnic dinner and even order beverages online from the Wise Old Dog boutique bottle shop in West Hartford.
Tickets are $20 each and must be purchased in advance on the Hill-Stead website.
“Venus & Adonis” tells the story of the Roman goddess of love, Venus, who is smitten with Adonis, the most beautiful youth ever created. It seems like a match made in mythical bliss, but in Shakespeare’s comedic twist Adonis would much prefer to go hunting. The cast includes some of the regular members of the Capital Classics Theatre Company, who will present the tale in a lively reading, accompanied by live music by Jaeme McDonald.
For safety precautions, Capital Classics and HillStead Museum require that guests practice physical distancing by standing/ sitting at least six feet apart while standing in lines and moving around the property. Face masks should be worn by all visitors. Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed at entrances and high contact areas.
Hill-Stead employees have pre-marked spaces on the lawn for groups. Upon arrival, guests will be escorted to a pre-marked space on the west lawn by an employee wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Visit Hillstead.org or CapitalClassics.org to order $20 tickets in advance or for more information. For tickets, go to www.hillstead .org/event/from-the -porch-august-5/