WHO: Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by Caitlin Lopez. Presented by Ophelia’s Jump Productions’ Midsummer Shakespeare Festival. Co-Producer: Pomona College.

WHERE: Sontag Greek Theatre, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711. (Located behind Seaver Theatre).

WHEN: July 14- July 24, 2022. Thursdays through Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Green Show entertainment begins at 7:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: $30. College students with I.D. and children under 12, $20.

INFO/TICKETING: https://opheliasjump.org or 909-734-6565

Ophelia’s Jump Productions’ Midsummer Shakespeare Festival returns this July, presenting The Winter’s Tale at The Sontag Greek Theatre, the historic outdoor venue located on the grounds of Pomona College in Claremont.

Prior to the performance, the venue will be open early to accommodate picnickers. Concessions including craft beer, wine and snacks will be available. There will also be a nightly Green Show, a pre-show entertainment at this iconic venue. (The Green Show originated in Elizabethan times.)

The Winter’s Tale is unique in the annals of romantic comedy. It starts off like a tragedy, spins into comedy, and concludes with a fairy-tale happy ending. The play also contains the most famous stage direction in the history of theatrical literature. (Without giving away too much, it involves a bear.)

King Leontes of Sicilia and King Polixenes of Bohemia have been life-long buddies, to the benefit of both their realms. One day, Leontes decides that his Queen, Hermione, is much too friendly with Polixenes and groundlessly suspects her of infidelity. Leontes explodes into a jealous rage which will have dire consequences for his loved ones. Hermione and Leontes’ infant daughter, Perdita, is banished to Bohemia and left to die, but is saved by a passing Shepherd and his son. She grows up into a great beauty, attracting the romantic attention of Florizel, Princess of Bohemia. Meanwhile, their families’ royal houses, beset by grief and regret are still at odds. Is there any hope for the love of Perdita and Florizel? It will take an act of miraculous magic to make things right, if the lovers are ever to achieve their happily-ever-after.

Caitlin Lopez directs. She is the Founding Associate Artistic Director of Ophelia’s Jump Productions. An actor and improvisor, she was a company member at Spectacles Improv Engine where she co-created teams and forms steeped in narrative genre work such as The Mechanicals, The Blankety Blank, and The Illegitimate Stage. Directing credits with OJP include 33 Variations, Twelfth Night, The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Much Ado About Nothing, and As You Like It. She is a graduate of California State San Bernardino with a Bachelors in Acting and will be attending Ohio University in the Fall, pursuing an MFA in Directing. 

Her cast for The Winter’s Tale includes Austin Mooney, Conrad Cecil, Courtney Brechemin, Elana Aronson, Janette Valenzo, Justin Wickman, Liana-Rose Veratudela, Michael Johnson, Ryan Herrera, Scott Robinson, Sophia Dunn-Walker, Tania Esmeralda Vazquez and William Mueller.

Stage manager: Miranda Tejeda. Lighting designer: Sheila Malone.

Founding Artistic Director: Beatrice Casagrán. 

It may be called The Winter’s Tale, but a romance with a fairy-tale ending is perfect for a summer evening.

About Ophelia’s Jump

Ophelia’s Jump is a non-profit Performing Arts Theatre producing plays, staged readings, the Midsummer Shakespeare Festival in Claremont, and hosting youth and adult improv and acting classes. Ophelia’s Jump Productions was founded by artists and educators who believe that the purpose of theatre is to create unending conversations, spark imagination, incite conscience, and elicit a visceral response. Ophelia’s Jump aims to invigorate the creativity and intellect of the community by working with local emerging artists. Ophelia’s Jump is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

About Pomona College

Located in Claremont, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona is known for its quality academic programs, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, a range of student research and leadership opportunities, and a strong commitment to the arts. Additional information available at www.pomona.edu 

The post Midsummer Shakespeare Festival Under the Stars at Pomona College Opens July 14 — Ophelia’s Jump Productions Presents “The Winter’s Tale” appeared first on Discover Claremont.

Ophelia’s Jump Productions presents the Annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival with HAMLET and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. The productions will run July 13-23, 2017 at Sontag Greek Theatre at Pomona College. The festival, co-sponsored by Pomona College, includes exhibits, arts and crafts by community businesses and organizations. Tickets are available at opheliasjump.org, or by calling 909-734-6565.

This year’s Annual Midsummer Shakespeare Festival celebrates what many regard as Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Blending elements of drama and comedy, this tale teaches that “love will have its way no matter how much we try to fight it.” In HAMLET, the epic tale of revenge gone awry will be set in the influential period following the First World War, under the stars at the beautiful Sontag Greek Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater originally built in 1910 and renovated in 1997. The productions will be performed in repertory, alternating each night.

ABOUT HAMLET

Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, Hamlet dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet is called to wreak upon his uncle, Claudius, by the ghost of Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet. Claudius had murdered his own brother and seized the throne, also marrying his deceased brother’s widow. Hamlet is ranked among the most powerful and influential tragedies in English literature, with a story capable of “seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others”.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Get ready for the verbal sparring match of the ages! Benedick and Beatrice have sworn off love… and each other. But when their friends and family attempt to con them into a romance, will these acid-tongued cynics take the bait? Mistaken identities, love, hilarity, honor, shame, and partying till the sun comes up are all ingredients for a great time in this rollicking production!

Now a Claremont tradition, Ophelia’s Jump’s Midsummer Shakespeare Festival artfully presents tragedy and comedy under the stars in a beautiful outdoor setting. Each performance opens nightly with a 30-minute Green Show – an entertaining prelude to the evening’s main performance.  We invite you to bring your own picnic and don’t forget a small blanket or cushion for added comfort.

Weekend Festival

On Saturdays, arrive early and enjoy local musicians, artists, and crafts before settling in for an evening of timeless Shakespearean classics. Enjoy festival booths, crafts, and vendors starting at 5:30 p.m. Local restaurants and businesses will be offering special in-restaurant dining menus and selected take-out options to enjoy prior to all performances.

• Title: HAMLET and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
• Directors: Founding Artistic Director Beatrice Casagran (HAMLET) and Founding
  Associate Artistic Director Caitlin Lopez (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING)
• Location: Sontag Greek Theatre, Pomona College, 300 East Bonita Ave., Claremont
  (located behind Seaver Theatre)
• Opening: Thursday, July 13 (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING) & Friday, July 14 (HAMLET)
• Regular Run: July 13-July 23, 2017

 Specific Show Schedule:

                        MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING – July 13, 15, 21, 23

                        HAMLET – July 14, 16, 20, 22

Curtain Times:

• Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays at 8 p.m.
• Ticket prices: $25 General Admission, $22 Student/Seniors
• Group tickets available, contact info@opheliasjump.org or call
  909-734-6565 for info

About Ophelia’s Jump

Ophelia’s Jump is a theatre company focused on producing highly-regarded, award-winning works that leave audiences asking questions and discussing big ideas — theatre that invites you to leap into the drama. Our mission is to produce both creative new interpretations of classical and award-winning works, and also new works by talented local and regional artists.

Additional information available at opheliasjump.org

About Pomona College

Located in Claremont, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona is known for its quality academic programs, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, a range of student research and leadership opportunities, and a strong commitment to the arts.

Additional information available at www.pomona.edu

The post 2017 Midsummer Shakespeare Festival in Claremont, Presented by Ophelia’s Jump, Features Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing appeared first on Discover Claremont.