Widely regarded as the greatest writer of all time, Shakespeare would be 443 years old if he was alive today ? and would probably still be writing.
“There are a lot of reasons to celebrate Shakespeare?s birthday,” said Ian Belknap, marketing associate at the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival. “Certainly on the theater side of things, but more importantly, he is the most influential writer of all time. His themes and uses of language are unprecedented.”
Daedalus Books and Music in Baltimore and the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival will be celebrating Shakespeare?s birthday on Saturday with “Much Ado!” The event will begin at 11 a.m. with a one-woman performance of “A Midsummer Night?s Dream” starring local actress Molly Moores.
“I use kids from the audience and get them on stage with me, give them a costume piece and narrate and move them around,” Moores said. “My job is to tell kids the story of ?A Midsummer Night?s Dream? in plain English as an introduction to Shakespeare.”
Belknap said that “A Midsummer Night?s Dream” was chosen because of its universal appeal. “It?s geared towards a younger crowd and its one of the more accessible plays for everyone,” he said. “Most of the play is fun and in good spirit. Children will be able to relate to the magic and the fairy characters, while adults will enjoy the love story. And [Moores] is one of the most talented actresses in the Baltimore area. Her ability to transform into all the characters is just magical.”
“It?s unlike anything you have ever seen before,” Moores said. “It?s unique and fun. The kids will love it.”
At 2 and 6 p.m., a trio from the Peabody Institute will play Elizabethan music on piano and stringed instruments, recreating Shakespearean sonnets and period songs. “The music is incredible,” Belknap said. “There?s something for everyone at this event.”
Although this is the first time Daedalus is holding an event for the playwright?s birthday, Kini Collins, assistant manager at Daedalus, is expecting a big turnout. “[Shakespeare] was only one of the best writers in the English language,” she said. “It?s often expensive to see his plays performed. We feel that it?s important to bring [his work] to people.”
“It will be a great atmosphere [to celebrate Shakespeare?s birthday],” Collins said. “We expect to have a lot of fun.”
The Baltimore Shakespeare Festival?s next performance will be the complete version of “A Midsummer Night?s Dream” from July 7 through July 23. Visit www.baltimoreshakespeare.org for more information.
IF YOU GO
Shakespeare?s Birthday: “Much Ado!”
» Venue: Daedalus Books and Music, 5911 York Road, Baltimore
» Time: 11 a.m. Saturday
» Tickets: Free
» More info: 410-366-8596, www.daedalusbooks.com
