Much Ado About Nothing
“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.”
In this one-hour Family Shakespeare adaptation, Beatrice and Benedick have sworn off love and each other. Their friends and family intervene to transform these sworn bachelors into a happy couple. Will these tricks finally put an end to their "merry war?"
Suitability: Much Ado is our Family Shakespeare performance, and is specifically designed for audiences of all ages. There is some cartoonish violence and lots of discussion of love and romance, as well as the hilarious use of one Shakespearean swear word.
Henry IV Part One
“The better part of valor, is discretion.”
The stirring and exciting historical tale of young Prince Hal, who enjoys spending his time in the tavern with the large and lusty Falstaff, “that huge hill of flesh.” When his father calls on him to fight for England, Hal must decide where his true loyalties lie.
Suitability: With political intrigue and historical action, Henry IV follows the journey of young Prince Hal from youthful indiscretions to taking his place by his father and defending the crown. Violence and war are integral to the story, and it contains several moments of sword fighting and other stylized violence. Hal also enjoys spending time at the tavern with some unsavory characters who make use of bawdy innuendo and some sexual suggestiveness.
Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady
“Why can’t the English teach their children how to speak?”
This classic musical adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion follows the ups and downs of Professor Henry Higgins attempt to turn a poor cockney flower girl into a well-spoken gentlewoman.
Suitability: My Fair Lady is a delightful musical comedy about a flower girl who is transformed into lady by changing the way she speaks. Full of catchy songs and dances, it does contain characters who enjoy the excessive consumption of alcohol and some mild swear words.
The Winter’s Tale
“Is whispering nothing? Is leaning cheek to cheek?”
In this late romance by Shakespeare, jealous King Leontes suspects his wife of infidelity, setting in motion a series of events at times both heartbreaking and heartwarming in this magical story of love, irrationality, adventure, and redemption.
Suitability: The Winter's Tale is a magical journey from despair to redemption, which explores themes of jealousy and betrayal. There are some intense emotional situations, as well as comic moments and light romance. It contains descriptions of violent acts, but no violence on-stage.