2024 Brochure: Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

SUMMER 2024

JUNE 11 – SEPT 2

MEDEA: RE-VERSED THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD

BY THE QUEEN

EDUCATION TOUR MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Dear Friends

2024 is a big year for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, one in which we are honoring our roots and our cherished traditions, while also breaking new ground (literally and metaphorically!) and looking forward to the future.

Why do I say that? Well, 2024 is the year in which we plan to break ground on the construction of our new permanent open-air theater – the first purpose-built LEED Platinum theater in the United States.

The same sense of boldly venturing into the future is manifest in our 2024 Season lineup, complete with two world premieres!

The Wall Street Journal called HVSF a “classical theater for the 21st Century,” and this year we’ll be bringing HVSF’s trademark playfulness and imagination to the timeless stories of Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, and Euripides, in thrilling new adaptations by three living American playwrights – Whitney White, Heidi Armbruster, and Luis Quintero. Suspense, drama, comedy, passion — there’s something for everyone in the mix this season, and we can’t wait to share it all with you.

We’re also on the lookout for the theatergoing audiences of the future, and we love seeing young people and families under the tent. That’s why we’re so excited to be offering $10 tickets for children 18 and under, for any seat to any performance, when accompanied by an adult. Help to pass on a summertime tradition to the next generation by bringing the young folks in your life to a show at HVSF. It’s an unbeatable deal for a night out with the family, and an experience they’ll never forget.

A brilliant group of directors, designers, technicians, and actors are already preparing to astonish and delight you when summer finally arrives. As Shakespeare says, we “feel now the future in the instant!” All we need to complete a perfect night under the Tent is you and your family. I hope to see you there.

Warmly,

Davis McCallum, Artistic Director

“... a pilgrimage to the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival [is] a rewarding endeavor”

Charles Isherwood, The Wall Street Journal

Major support for our programs are provided by:

Cover Photo: Love’s Labour’s Lost, 2023. Back cover photo by Jeff Mikkleson. All other photos by T. Charles Erickson.

SHS Foundation

Westchester Community Foundation

Save Thy Date

Member Exclusives!

Season Opening Party

Saturday, June 29, 5:30 pm

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

Help us kick off the 2024 Season! Members of the Festival Circles program will enjoy pre-show wine, hors d’oeuvres, and more at The Valley Restaurant. To join visit hvshakespeare.org/support.

Midsummer Mingle

Saturday, July 27, 5:30 pm

Join your fellow members for a night of revelry as we celebrate another wonderful season of summer theater. Open to Festival Circles and Saints & Poets Members at the $500 level and up. Join now to receive your invitation to the party!

Closing Weekend Toast

Saturday, August 31, 5:30 pm

We hope you can join us to raise a glass of wine and toast another exciting summer season of theater. Festival Circles Members enjoy the chance to celebrate together one more time over drinks and light bites.

Out at the Tent

Sunday, June 23, 6:00pm

Get to know local LGBTQIA+ organizations and enjoy a complimentary reception with drinks and light fare while you mix and mingle before the 7:30 PM performance of BY THE QUEEN.

Family Day

Saturday, July 20, 5:30pm

Celebrate with a fun-filled family picnic on our beautiful grounds. Indulge in our delicious menu offerings or bring your own feast. Stay for the sunshine, or for the afternoon matinee performance!

Thursday Night Prologues

Thursdays, 6:15 pm

June 13–August 29

Picnic? Check. Wine? Check. Insightful, behind-the-scenes commentary from industry experts? Check! Join us for engaging discussions about our productions, the theater industry, and the world at large. This program is free and available to all. Find the full list of speakers at hvshakespeare.org/prologue.

Sunday Night Encores –Pizza Night at the Valley Restaurant

July 7 – September 1

5pm curtains on Sunday means the show is done around 7:00pm! To keep the party going, the Valley Restaurant is open late on Sundays for post-show food & drink with the HVSF acting company. Come meet your favorite performers, enjoy a great meal, and watch the sun set over the Hudson River from the outdoor deck.

Enhanced Performances:

Open-Captioned Performances

Monday, August 19 (ACKROYD)

Wednesday, August 21 (QUEEN)

Thursday, August 22 (MEDEA)

American Sign LanguageInterpreted Performances

Thursday July 18 (ACKROYD)

Monday July 29 (QUEEN)

Sunday August 4 (MEDEA)

Relaxed Performances

July 20 and August 31

Relaxed performances offer a more accommodating atmosphere, and are tailored especially for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or those who simply prefer a less formal environment. During these performances, thoughtful adjustments to the show’s elements may be made in consideration of the audience’s needs.

Early Curtain Times on Sundays

Have some fun and enjoy the summer sun even after the play is done! Starting July 7, our Sunday performances begin at 5:00 PM. After the show, join us in the Valley Restaurant for Sunday Night Encores!

Neighborhood Nights

We know what makes the Hudson Valley special: our neighbors, who make it a wonderful place to live, work, and play. With our thanks, save 15% when you purchase full-price tickets for specific dates with a local zip code on file. Discounts will automatically apply online at checkout once you are logged in. Proof of residency is required.

Putnam & Dutchess Counties

July 5, 22, 24 | Aug 9, 26

Westchester County

July 8, 17, 19 | Aug 7, 30

Ulster & Orange Counties

July 10, 15, 26 | Aug 2, 23

Rockland & Bergen Counties

July 12, 29 | Aug 2, 14, 30

Romeo and Juliet, 2022

WORLD PREMIERE MEDEA: RE-VERSED

by LUIS QUINTERO

co - conceived and directed by NATHAN

WINKELSTEIN

adapted from EURIPEDES in co - production with RED BULL THEATER and BEDLAM

“There’s more to her than anyone could ever infer –You can kick my words to the curb. I think it’s time that we heard from her.”

An ice-cold, high-octane adaptation of Euripides’ play written in battle rap verse, this brand-new hip-hop version of Medea sheds contemporary light on the classic tragedy of family, power, and revenge – as stunning today as it was two thousand years ago. Quintero’s version of the story reignites the sacred rage of our ancestors and illuminates the extraordinary lengths that some people will travel to even the scales of justice.

WORLD PREMIERE

THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD

by HEIDI ARMBRUSTER

directed by RYAN QUINN adapted from AGATHA CHRISTIE “Everyone

has something to hide.”

The murder of Roger Ackroyd sends shockwaves through the tight-knit community of King’s Abbot, a drowsy village now awash with suspicion and secrecy. Not to fear — a certain mustachioed Belgian detective is on the case! This highly theatrical adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1926 masterpiece delves deep into the human psyche’s intricate dance with truth and deception, re-inventing the pleasures of the theatrical whodunnit with HVSF’s signature playful and freewheeling style.

BY THE QUEEN

by WHITNEY WHITE

directed by SHANA COOPER

adapted from WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S HENRY VI and RICHARD III

“What does it take to survive?

Everything. It takes everything.”

Experience Shakespeare’s story of the War of the Roses through the lens of Queen Margaret, the ultimate survivor in a country coming apart at the seams. Part disco party, part riotous post-mortem on a life lived to the fullest, By The Queen puts one brilliant woman at center stage, and the light and heat given off by her stories of resistance and resilience will make you want to call the queens in your own life — your mother, your grandmother, your sister, or your daughter — and ask, “What was it like for YOU?”

Credits, top, left clockwise: Mr. Burns: A PostElectric Play, 2022; Henry V, 2023; Love’s Labour’s Lost, 2023; The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington, 2021; Romeo and Juliet, 2022; Into the Woods, 2019; Penelope, 2023. Season artwork and brochure by Ligature Creative.

Highland Lights: Full Fathom Five

Saturday, April 20 at 8:00 pm

This year’s Highland Lights is a luminous lantern procession inspired by the streams, wetlands, lakes, and rivers of the Hudson River Valley. Free and open to the public! Join us and immerse yourself in a spectacular experience at the convergence of nature and art.

Rain date: Saturday, April 27

FREE Workshops

March–April 2024

Our friends from Processional Arts Workshop return to lead us in a series of hands-on lantern-making workshops. Join us for a completely free, drop-in session to help design, build, and animate an underwater world in motion.

Visit HighlandLights.org to RSVP and learn more.

HVSF2

August 10 & 17 at 2:00pm

Experience new stories and old friends. Our popular new works series features brand new plays read by HVSF company members and other great actors. Catch these titles here before they hit stages in New York and across the country.

THE CHERRY TORTURED

by Aaron Posner

based on an old play by Anton Chekhov directed by Jenn Thompson

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

by William Shakespeare

adapted and directed by Davis McCallum

Annual Gala

Sunday, October 13 at 4:45pm

Join us at The Garrison to celebrate and support our mission and programs with cocktails, dinner, a live auction, and performance highlights under the stars! The Annual Gala is our primary fundraising event. It’s a festive way to toast the 2024 season, and get a sneak peek of what’s to come in 2025!

We can’t do this without you! We look forward to raising a glass together to support the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

directed by KHOLOUD SAWAF

“There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and Beatrice: they never meet but there’s a skirmish of wit between them.”

Scandal abounds in Shakespeare’s hilarious, biting comedy about lies, courtship, and the chaos created in pursuit of true love. The famous bantering lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, trade barbs while matching wits (and hearts) in this celebrated romantic romp. Touring from March 20 to April 28, this 90-minute production is perfect for Grades 6 and above. To bring a performance to your school, contact Sean McNall, Director of Education, at smcnall@hvshakespeare.org.

Major support for education programs is provided by:

HVSF’s

The Louise Este Bruce Foundation SHS Foundation

$10 Tickets for 18 and younger

Summer is the perfect time to spend with family. We are thrilled to extend our popular $10 Family Night discount for the entire 2024 season! This special offer applies to ANY performance and ANY section, for theatergoers aged 18 and younger, with the purchase of an adult admission.

At HVSF, we love seeing young faces under the Tent, lit up with awe and wonder as they discover the magic of live performance, and we’d like to share that experience with every kid in the Hudson Valley.

CENTER

2024 SEASON TICKETS

Parents know best, all our shows are recommended for ages 10+. Our box office staff are standing by to answer any questions about the content of each show. We hope to see you (and your family) at the theater this summer! PREVIEWS

Box Office Hours

March 1 – June 10, 2024

The Box Office is available online boxoffice@hvshakespeare.org and via phone, 845-265-9575

June 11 – Sept. 2, 2024

In addition to being available online and by phone the box office will be open in-person once the season starts.

Wednesday – Monday Noon – Showtime (closed Tuesdays)

What’s a Preview?

Previews are performances that allow our actors and creative teams to put the finishing touches on a production before it opens. They’re also our best-kept secret! Choose a Preview performance for our most affordable seats this summer, and be among the first to see our exciting productions.

What’s a Partial vs. Obstructed View?

As a nearly-in-the-round theater, every seat offers intimate access to live, effervescent storytelling. A partial view means a tent element may occasionally impact viewing. An obstructed view means a tent pole or set piece will obstruct viewing throughout the performance

Simple Exchanges

Exchange any ticket up to 48 hours before showtime for $10 per ticket (and any additional seat value). Exchanges are free for members of our Saints & Poets Society and Festival Circles Program as part of their membership benefits.

Discounts (Sundays – Fridays)

(Excludes Saturdays, openings, closings and CenterFront section).

Students

18+ with full-time student ID

Seniors (Ages 65+)

Active Duty Military

Veterans

Deals

Early Bird Savings

15% off

15% off

15% off

15% off

Purchase ADULT tickets to weekday performances and save 20%!

Ends April 16.

Loyalty Package

Get the best deal under our tent when you book for all three mainstage shows at once.

BEST DEAL

Book BEFORE May 1, take 25% off. Book AFTER May 1, take 20% off. All sections.

Gather Friends and Save!*

Groups of 12+ receive 15% off (or better!) all season long. Plus, create a customizable package including a catered dinner, conversations with artists, and more! Learn more at hvshakespeare.org/groups

Neighborhood Nights

HVSF Neighbors save 15% on ADULT tickets for select performances. Limit four per household, per date.

Note: *Discount applied to Adult ticket type only.

Non-Standard Discounts only apply to Adult ticket types. Only one discount may be applied to each ticket, and no discounts may be applied retroactively to completed purchases.

Standards Discounts, Neighborhood Nights, and Group Discounts exclude Center Front Section, Side Obstructed Section, Saturday Performances, Opening Nights, and Closing Performances.

Loyalty Packages and Early Bird Discounts exclude Saturday Performances and Closing Performances.

Your Visit

Arrive early to picnic, enjoy the site and our extraordinary Hudson River view, and see plans for our future permanent venue.Evening performances begin at 7:30PM. Beginning July 7, Sunday performances begin at 5:00PM. All matinees begin at 2:00PM.

Directions

By Car

2015 U.S. 9, Garrison, NY 10524

By Train

Free Weekend Shuttle Service

Friday–Sunday, Arrival trips run from three hours before showtime and return trips for 30 minutes following each performance. Take the Metro-North Hudson Line Train to Garrison Station and catch our free round-trip shuttle from the train to Tent.

What’s for dinner?

Picnics Pre-order a fresh, locally sourced, chef-prepared picnic to enjoy with our stunning Hudson River view. Order on our website when you purchase tickets, or before noon on the day of your performance. Bring blankets or camp chairs for comfort, and we’ll pack the rest for your easy pickup at the Concessions Tent!

Valley Restaurant Reserve your indoor or outdoor table and enjoy a three-course prix-fixe dinner in the Valley Restaurant. $55 per person, reservations recommended.

Visit the Concessions Tent

Drop by our Concessions Tent before the performance and during intermission. We offer local brews, wines, house sangria, non-alcoholic beverages, ice cream, sweets, and snacks. Pre order ahead of the curtain for your treat!

Friday, March 1

Festival Circles Members

P.O. Box 125 Garrison, NY 10524

Buy tickets to weekday performances before April 16 and save 20%.

Wednesday, March 6 Saints & Poets Members

Tuesday, March 12 General Public

845-265-9575

To join our FESTIVAL CIRCLES PROGRAM or SAINTS & POETS SOCIETY visit our website — hvshakespeare.org/support .

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival 2015 U.S. 9 Garrison, NY 10524