In celebration of MACBETH, the Guthrie Theater's 50th production of a Shakespeare play, the Theater today launched a new section of its website devoted entirely to Shakespeare at the Guthrie. The site, www.guthrietheater.org/shakespeare, contains cast lists, photos, video, play guides and more, and is designed to serve as a resource for theatergoers, artists, scholars and educators.
Beginning with the very first production of Hamlet in 1963, the new website outlines the history of the Guthrie's Shakespeare productions. The site will continue to grow and expand through the years.
"We have a treasure trove of information about these productions, but once a show closes the information becomes much less accessible," said Trish Santini, Guthrie Theater director of external relations. "Each year we work with thousands of educators and students who are studying Shakespeare and one of our goals with this site is to create an ongoing resource to serve them. But we're very excited to share this material with all theater lovers and help them reconnect with some of the great work of the past."
The Shakespeare celebration continues on Sunday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. with the Shakespeare Classic at the Guthrie. Now in its 11th year, the Guthrie's annual Shakespeare Classic returns to offer young people (ages 8 to 15) an opportunity to experience Shakespeare's MACBETH. This special matinee performance features a play program designed for kids, subsidized $10 tickets to the performance and a post-play reception where costumed actors from the show engage with the audience to answer questions and sign autographs. Programs from past Shakespeare Classic productions can now be viewed on the new Shakespeare at the Guthrie website.
The Shakespeare Classic began in 1999, after Guthrie Director Joe Dowling honored longtime staff member Sheila Livingston and her husband Ken in establishing the Livingston Education Fund. "We wanted to use the fund to provide a gift of theater to children across the community," said Livingston. "It is a fitting extension of our family's tradition as Ken and I exposed our three daughters to the Bard's work as they grew up." A magical tradition developed over the years, as the program captivated young people with the enduring power of William Shakespeare, an event that is deeply moving to Livingston. "Seeing the joy it brings to multi-generational audience as they come together and bond over the communal experience of live theater is simply astonishing."
Tickets to the popular annual event are just $10 - all adults must be accompanied by a young person - and are available through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE. This event is not available for purchase online. Please note: this production contains graphic violence and parents are strongly urged to call the box office if they have questions about age appropriateness.
