CURRENT 2010 runs through October 11, 2010.  The exhibition features 9 regional artists and 25 sculptures sited on the majestic grounds of Boscobel House & Gardens and along the banks of the Hudson at Garrison Art Centeron Garrison’s Landing in Garrison, New York.   This year’s featured artists are Emil Alzamora, Leonda F. Finke, Kevin Forest, Mara Haseltine, David Hayes, Brett Hunter, Eric David Laxman, Judith Steinberg and Jay Wholley.

CURRENT 2010 is made possible by the generosity of Exhibition Benefactors, Lisa and Lloyd Zeiderman of Garrison, Jasmine Swann and John Wieker of New York City, and Angelina Fiordellisi and Matt Williams of Garrison.

Corporate sponsors Cathryn’s Tuscan Grill, Riverview Restaurant, D. Yannitelli Fine Wines and Spirits, and Grey Printing , all businesses in Cold Spring, New York, make it possible for 100% of the proceeds from party admission to benefit the need-based scholarship fund.   Admission is $35 per person.   Reservations are required, 845-424-3960.

For more information on Garrison Art Center programs and events, visit garrisonartcenter.org.

This season will take the audience to the Trojan War where love turns to infidelity in the bedroom and on the battlefield.  A cast of celebrated Greek heroes bring intrinsic values of honor and love into question with Troilus and Cressida. From classic war time battlefields to the battle of the sexes, the question ‘who’s taming whom?’ will be answered with classic wit in the comedy, The Taming of the Shrew. And what would a season at HVSF be without an all out irreverent takes on Shakespeare, in this case The Bomb-itty of Errors, a comic hip-hop rapping romp through The Comedy of Errors?

The Bomb-itty of Errors, directed by Associate Artistic Director Christopher Edwards, opens the season on Saturday June 19 (previews begin Tuesday, June 15).  The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Kurt Rhoads opens on Saturday, June 26 (previews begin Friday, June 18).  Terrence O’Brien, Founding Artistic Director of the Festival, directs Troilus and Cressida which opens Saturday, July 3 (previews begin June 16).

Performances begin at 7pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (grounds open for picnicking at 5pm); 8pm Friday and Saturday (grounds open at 6pm); and 6pm on Sundays (grounds open at 4pm).

“I am very excited about this season. It’s a great mix of plays and a real exploration of men, their views on women and the world. It should offer some interesting dialogue with our audience. As I work on Troilus and Cressida I am struck by the fact that the play doesn’t really seem to fit into any true Shakespeare “categories”. It seems to defy what we’ve come to expect – taking on somewhat of an experimental form said Mr. O’Brien.  “I am also very happy to welcome Festival veterans Chris Edwards and Kurt Rhodes back this season as directors of our two other shows.

Watch the interview with the actor’s from last year’s Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.  Don’t miss this year’s performance, it is sure to be terrific!!

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has inspired and delighted audiences with its vigorously original interpretations of the great works of William Shakespeare for twenty-three seasons to much critical acclaim from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The Poughkeepsie Journal, The Journal News and numerous other national and regional  publications.  Founding Artistic Director Terrence O’Brien has maintained a commitment to making the timeless plays accessible to all audiences, relieving the burden of heavy language and over-dramatization that so many equate with Shakespeare.  “We want the audience to feel the same way about the plays as we do,” explained O’Brien.  “The stories are timeless and we work to eliminate the affectation so often associated with Shakespeare.  Our productions are lively, fast-paced and reflect our own excitement.  You know it’s working,” he continued, “when you not only have people return season after season but every year they bring more new friends.”

The region’s only professional resident Shakespeare Company, HVSF, makes its home under an open-air tent theater perched high up on the banks of the Hudson River on the grounds of the historic 19^th Century Boscobel estate in Garrison, New York. Using the dramatic views of the Hudson Highlands and the sweeping vistas from the elegant lawns of Boscobel as near-perfect stage scenery, the critically acclaimed Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival presents unparalleled productions with the perfect marriage of theater and nature. Audience members are invited to arrive two hours early in order to enjoy a picnic meal – with one of the most spectacular al fresco views – on the grounds of the estate.

“Populism without pandering: That’s the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s style and I’ve never seen it go wrong.” –—Terry Teachout, the Wall Street Journal

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Ticket prices for all performances are $29-$47.  Tickets are available through the HVSF Box Office, which opens May 3: 845-265-9575 and are now available online at hvshakespeare.org.  Discounts are available on most nights for groups, students, senior citizens and children 12 and under. The Festival offers several special packages, including a tour of the Boscobel mansion and Exhibition Gallery plus tickets.  In addition discounts at local hotels and restaurants are also available.  For packages and information visit the Festival website, http://www.hvshakespeare.org/ and are available through the box office.  On-line sales are currently available.

For more information about the 2010 Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, as well as information about their ongoing Education and Community Outreach Programs, contact the Festival at (845) 265-7858.

Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig are characters featured in the Charles Dickens book, A Christmas Carol. Mr. Fezziwig is the proprietor of a warehouse business for whom Ebenezer Scrooge worked as an apprentice with Dick Wilkins; and in Stage 2 of The Christmas Carol, has a Christmas ball. Mr. Fezziwig is a happy man with a large Welsh wig. Old Fezziwig liked to dance to “Sir Roger de Coverley”, a lively tune of the 1800s.

Scrooge revisits Fezziwig with the Ghost of Christmas Past, during the Fezziwigs’ lively Christmas party. Fezziwig is one of the few people to whom Scrooge is thankful, for he says, “He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”

Scrooge is reminded how much he once appreciated Fezziwig. Since Fezziwig is the elder Scrooge’s opposite in many ways — in kindness, generosity, affection for his employees, relationship with family, and apparent happiness — Scrooge is thus confronted with the fact that his own choices have diverged greatly from those of someone he admires.

Festive fare and drinks to follow.

Tickets just $75 – Order Now!

(Fifty dollars tax deductible, all proceeds to benefit Boscobel and the HVSF.)

To Order Tickets, Click Below: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/89802

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED
 
Boscobel House & Gardens
1601 Route 9D Garrison NY
www.Boscobel.org

www.HVShakespeare.org

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s 2009 Eco-Comic Stimulus Season is designed to bring laughter, joy and relief from the news of the day in a spectacular outdoor setting, offering something for everyone at below market prices.  The season features total mad-cap hilarity; love hiding in plain sight; battles of wit (and the sexes); shipwrecks; marriage; near death experiences; and one of the greatest reunions in all of Shakespeare.

It will open with last season’s runaway hit, the impossibly funny The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), followed by the romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing, and the action packed adventure/romance, Pericles.  

The grounds at Boscobel open at 5pm for picnicking.

 “These are tumultuous times and we know that a lot of people are really struggling,” said Mr. O’Brien. “We hope that our 23rd season will provide a bright spot by giving people an opportunity to leave the news behind for a few treasured hours.  I think we have everything you could ask for built into our plan: romance, adventure, comedy, a magical setting and a night out that leaves some money in the bank (or under the mattress)!  We may not be able to provide tax relief, but we can certainly provide eco-comic relief!” 

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has inspired and delighted audiences with its vigorously original interpretations of the great works of William Shakespeare for twenty-two seasons to much critical acclaim from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The Poughkeepsie Journal, The Journal News and numerous other regional and national publications. 

Founding Artistic Director Terrence O’Brien has maintained a commitment to making the timeless plays accessible to all audiences, relieving the burden of heavy language and over-dramatization that so many equate with Shakespeare.  “We want the audience to feel the same way about the plays as we do,” explained O’Brien.  “The stories are timeless and we work to eliminate the affectation so often associated with Shakespeare.  Our productions are lively, fast-paced and reflect our own excitement.  You know it’s working,” he continued, “when you not only have people return season after season but every year they bring more new friends.” 

Throughout the season Boscobel will offer HVSF ticket holders a special $5 ticket price to see the new exhibit Home on the Hudson: Women & Men Painting Landscapes 1825-1875.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Tickets are available through the HVSF Box Office: 845-265-9575.  For additional information and directions visit www.hvshakespeare.org.