Shakespeare in LA

“The Pinchtones” Mary Guilliams and Ashley Nguyen

Independent Shakespeare Co. presents Vaudeville in the Park, a concert to benefit the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival, the annual summer presentation of 10 weeks of 40 classical theater performances, education workshops, pre-show arts performances and salon-style discussions, all presented admission-free.

The event takes place on Sunday, May 4th at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park featuring an eclectic lineup that will include musical performances, side show performers and special guests. The concert is headlined by ISC’s house band, Dr. Pinch & the Pinchtones. (Dr. Pinch is a minor character from The Comedy of Errors who found a new lease in life after performing at Independent Shakespeare Co.’s Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival in 2012.) 

“Vaudeville in the Park is a great event to kick off the summer!” comments Melissa Chalsma, ISC’s Artistic Director. “It’s a freewheeling event (which is also entirely family-friendly). It’s got swing music, comedy, variety performances and, of course, some great Shakespeare! The afternoon performance is a fantastic way for us to celebrate our relationship with our audience, which has always been exceptionally close. They expect our work to be fun and more than a little surprising, and Vaudeville in the Park fits that bill perfectly. We’re excited to share this event as we raise funds for the 2014 Festival.”

ISC Managing Director David Melville adds, “How do you finance a professional Shakespeare Festival when you don’t sell tickets? We do take donations at the park but that is a fraction of what it cost to put the whole thing on. Before the first performance we pay actors, designers, directors and crew for months of preparation and rehearsal. We need to raise $150,000 before we start Festival rehearsals and Vaudeville in the Park is a huge component of that. It is our most important fundraising day of the year. It is also one of the most enjoyable days for cast and audience alike… Last year’s show had more in common with the Marx Brothers than William Shakespeare, with great music and variety acts plus special turns by people like John C. Reilly. This year’s event will once again be a celebration of spring, swing and Shakespeare.”

Vaudeville in the Park will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2014 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm at the Old Zoo in Griffith Park. Tickets: Guest $35; Guest – Family $70; Premium $100; Premium – Family $180; VIP – $250; VIP – Family $400 Tickets are available by visiting www.iscla.org and are tax deductible.