The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane University opened its 2016 mainstage season with a sophisticated production of Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Patrons and cast were treated to a post-show reception with hors d’oeuvres and wine. In attendance were members of the festival’s Advisory Board, members of the Tulane faculty and prominent members of the New Orleans Community.
This production will be remounted in January 2017 as part of the festival’s annual Performance for the Schools, and the show will be seen by thousands of students from across the Gulf South.
This 23rd season of the festival is marked by a very special event. In April of this year, the world observed the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Tulane University was honored to host one of Shakespeare’s First Folios at the Newcomb Art Museum in May. This first edition of collected Shakespeare plays, published in 1623, came to Tulane from the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.
The “Opening Night Reception” benefited the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane. This year’s opening brought about 150 patrons to the Lupin Theatre at Tulane, where all mainstage productions are held. Board members who were present included Herschel Abbott, Bonnie Boyd, Marie Cahn, Robert Lemon, Barbara Motley, Clayton Shelvin, Cassie Worley and emeritus board member Juan Barona.
Other productions being produced by the Shakespeare Festival at Tulane this season are Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender, The Illusion and By Any Scenes Necessary.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
What: “Opening Night Party,” benefiting New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane
When: Saturday, June 18
Where: Lupin Theater at Tulane University
