Free to All: Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra in The Outdoors
This year, the 44th season of “Free Shakespeare in The Park” is featuring outdoor performances of Antony and Cleoprata, directed by Katja Rivera.
(Note: Shakespeare in the Park will host its final San Francisco performances of “Antony and Cleopatra” this weekend Sept. 26 and 27 at 2 p.m., at Sue Bierman Park — Washington and Drumm streets.)
The Jerry Garcia Amphitheater was packed on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 13, for a free performance of "Shakespeare in the Park." Under warm sunny weather, families gathered to watch the play, packing the house and lounging on blankets in the cool shade of the hilltop trees.
Established in 1983, the SF Shakespeare in the Park program has always aimed to make the timeless works of Shakespeare accessible to everyone regardless of their age, ethnicity, financial status, or level of education.
Literary intern Setareh Greenwood says she hopes audiences leave with a sense of community, “I want them to go like ‘wow it’s okay if this isn't the most comfortable language for me, I still belong here. I can still come back.’”“.
Based on historical events, the play tells of the tragic story between Roman commander, Mark Antony, and Egyptian Queen,Cleopatra.
What starts as an uncertain political alliance between Antony and Cleopatra grows into love. However, their affair becomes entangled in the Roman civil war against Octavian, the antagonist in the play, when Antony abandons his duty in the battlefield to follow Cleopatra.
For this adaptation, the story takes place in the Jazz Era of the 1920s. The tone of the script wasn’t changed. It was the same old Early Modern English of, “if thou must” and “shall hear a storm of love”. It blended very well with the roaring ‘20s theme along with the glitz and glam of the decade.
The cast gave an enthusiastic performance loved by the crowd. Audience members were in awe at the end as the play and its cast received a standing ovation.
Jeremy Ohta Lee, who plays Mark Antony, explained his technique through message, “trusting Shakespeare’s unexpected twists and turns is key - as well as committing to bold choices,” Lee said. “For example, there is no onstage reunion for Antony and Cleopatra in the first half of the play as some might expect from the movie. Instead, we are whisked away on a roller coaster of flawed decisions by the couple.”
When asked how he was able to relate to his character he explains, “Antony challenges the very authoritative structure through which he rose to power. In my interpretation he does so with a smile on his face,” Lee said. “I wanted to bring a rebelliousness to Antony that audiences could connect with. I wanted them to enjoy his fight in spite of all his flaws.”
Ruth Darlene is a huge Shakespeare fan and earned a masters degree in English literature with a focus on Shakespeare.
The performance that afternoon had moved her to tears, “I told one of the actors going around with the basket, as I put my donation in her basket I said ‘that's for making me cry.’”. said Darlene“The lead actress and the actors brought the characters to life and breathed new life into Shakespeare's work,” Darlene said.
Audience member Emily Ruth said, “all the actors are so talented.I was amazed by how riveted I was the entire time.”
“So many generations have loved Shakespeare now. We're happy to be able to enjoy it together and to get to be here,” Ruth added.
“There's so many little moments where the actors are hitting the beat with so much energy that I still laugh or gasp even though I know what's about to happen,” Greenwood said.
Front of House Manager, Sylvia Abrams-Wolffsohm, watched her favorite parts,“I get to anticipate what's about to happen and watch the audience react.”
“Having the community experience is one of the best things we can offer. Connecting with Shakespeare, connecting with the person next to you or an actor. Whoever it may be,”said Abrams-Wolffsohm
