The Arc Theatre is returning to Ridgeville Park District’s annual Shakespeare on the Ridge festival for the fourth straight year to present “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare’s classic comedy of a mistaken-identity love triangle emerging in the aftermath of a shipwreck on the Mediterranean Sea.
“Twelfth Night” will be performed Saturday and Sunday evenings through Aug. 4 at Ridgeville Park, 908 Seward St. Admission is free. The show will run approximately 90 minutes.
Shakespeare on the Ridge was created in 2010 through a collaboration between The Arc Theatre and Ridgeville Park District. In the last three years, Shakespeare on the Ridge has expanded from one weekend of shows on the side of a hill to a full run of four weekends in an outdoor performance space. Shows are created specifically for the festival, adapted by The Arc Theatre to focus on the colorful relationships and intricate storytelling of Shakespeare’s great works. The Arc brings professionally trained actors from all over Chicago to create these one-of-a-kind experiences each summer.
“Twelfth Night” features some of the most provocative young artists in the Chicago Arts Community. The show is directed by The Arc Theatre’s artistic director and co-founder Mark Boergers and features Tyler Meredith, Sean Wiberg, Michael Olavson, Kate Smith, Colin Wasmund, Ryan Lempka, Daniela Colucci, returning Shakespeare-on-the-Ridge alum Joe Flynn as Duke Orsino, new Arc Company member Natalie Sallee as Maria, and Arc co-founder Teddy Boone as Malvolio. The show’s head designer is Arc Company co-founder Cailin Short. Returning artists Dustyn Martincich, Matthew Reich and Chris Rickett direct movement, sound design and stage violence, respectively. Stage manager is Arc Company member Belinda Bing.
Audiences are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy during the performance. Some seating is provided, but the audience is welcome to bring seating of their own. Performances will continue through light weather interruptions, but will be suspended for safety reasons if there is lightning or severe thunderstorms.
More information on the show can be found at arctheatrechicago.org and ridgeville.org/shakespeare.