BroadwayHD CELEBRATING SHAKESPEARE

By Stewart F. Lane

William Shakespeare infamously shared the same month for his birth and death: April! It’s been centuries since his birth in April 1564, but his works continue to be produced worldwide, and for good reason: They delve deep into the intricacies of being human. So, join BroadwayHD in celebrating Shakespeare this April; visit broadwayhd.com to see the entire collection.

The Tempest With Christopher Plummer

Exiled Prospero lives on a desolate island with his daughter, Miranda. When Prospero’s usurping brother sails by the island, Prospero conjures a storm that wrecks the ship and changes all their lives. This production, starring the beloved actor Christopher Plummer as Prospero, was captured on stage at the Stratford Festival in 2010.

MUSE OF FIRE: A SHAKESPEAREAN ROAD MOVIE

Funny, passionate, and exciting, Muse of Fire will forever change how you feel about Shakespeare. This unique feature documentary follows two actors, Giles Terera and Dan Poole, traveling the world to discover everything about Shakespeare. Consulting a host of helpful luminaries along the way—including Ian McKellen, James Earl Jones, Judi Dench, and Tom Hiddleston—their road trip takes them to Denmark, Berlin, and Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon. Muse of Fire aims to demystify and illuminate Shakespeare’s work. Think Shakespeare is boring? Think again!

The Comedy Of Errors

One of Shakespeare’s early comedies, The Comedy of Errors, is a fast-paced farce exploring mistaken identities and relations lost and found. This production was captured by Digital Theatre live at the Clapham Community Project. It was devised specifically for schools and families by the Royal Shakespeare Company in collaboration with the critically acclaimed theatre company, Told by an Idiot. Directed by Paul Hunter, it features a cast of the RSC’s ensemble and uses a pared-down script, props, live music, and physical comedy to convey the story.

KISS ME, KATE

Taking its inspiration from Shakespeare, this hilarious musical romp recounts the backstage and on-stage antics of two feuding romances during an out-of-town tryout for a musical adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew. Directed by Michael Blakemore, this Tony winner for “Best Revival” stars Brent Barrett, Rachel York, Nancy Anderson, and Michael Berresse as the squabbling couples whose offstage disputes entangle them with a pair of song-and-dance gangsters and a pompous U.S. Army General.

Macbeth

Inspired by the prophecies of three witches, a murderous king claws his way to power. Surrender to the Stratford Festival’s production of this haunting story of ambition and its dark consequences, as a military hero and his wife conspire to seize the throne of Scotland.