WATCH Amy Frear and Brett Ashley Robinson in 2019’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. Photos by Alessandra Nicole.
Picnic With Shakespeare DelShakes brings back community vibe with the return of its Summer Festival By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald
T
ake a serene outdoor venue, add a New Castle County festival tradition that’s arts-centric and family-friendly, and you’ve got a picture-perfect summertime experience: Delaware Shakespeare’s 2022 Summer Festival. From July 15 through 31, “DelShakes” presents the Bard’s work, The Tempest, directed by Producing Artistic Director David Stradley. “It’s my favorite Shakespeare play,” Stradley says. It is also Stradley’s first time in the director’s chair since 2016. This festival also marks Delaware Shakespeare’s 20th anniversary. That’s a significant milestone to celebrate given recent times. “After the last two tumultuous years, it's a joy to return to Rockwood Park in full this summer as DelShakes celebrates 20 years of bringing people together to explore their shared humanity,” says Stradley. “We're grateful to our visionary founders for establishing a professional Shakespeare company in the First State, and to all the artists, crew, staff, board, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and audience members for helping the company grow to where it is now. Here's to the next 20!” A Performance Years in the Making As in past festival years, the production of The Tempest is presented on the scenic grounds of Rockwood Park, located off Washington Street Extension and just outside Wilmington’s city limits. The storyline focuses on Prospero, who has been overthrown as the Duke of Milan by his brother Antonio, and now is marooned on an island with his
daughter Miranda. Twelve years pass, during which time Prospero learns the art of magic, with which he rules the island. His powers enable him to conjure up a storm that will bring his enemies to the island for a reckoning. As with so many of the Bard’s tales, the lust for revenge as well as burgeoning young love (and also drunken pirate raids) thicken the plot. ► JULY 2022 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM 55
