What's Happening

GAZEBO PLAYERS OF MEDFIELD ANNOUNCE CAST
FOR WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST

The Gazebo Players of Medfield will be back again this summer for their 9th annual Shakespeare in the Park production. This year’s show is Love’s Labour’s Lost, a romantic farce set in the Navarre region of Spain.

Hoping to make his realm a beacon of learning, Ferdinand, the King of Navarre (Ron Lacey of Allston) has vowed to devote himself to his studies for three years. Three of his courtiers join him in this oath, Berowne (Ben Medeiros of Somerset), Longaville (Phoebe Roberts of Waltham), and Dumaine (Alex Speer of Medway). During the three year period the four men pledge to forego the company of women, eat only one meal a day, and sleep only three hours a night, all to provide more time to study.

However, as soon as the ink is dry on the men’s vows, they receive a state visit from the Princess of France (Valerie Cain, of Norwood), to whom Shakespeare forgot to give any other name. The Princess is joined by her three ladies-in-waiting, Rosaline (Ashley Harmon of Dover), Maria (Juli Small of Medfield), and Katharine (Debbi Finkelstein of Natick). The four ladies are overseen by Boyet (Cynthia Small of Medfield). Immediately, the four men are smitten with the four women, and start trying to find a way out of their very public vows without losing face. The women, incensed with being forced to camp outside the castle since they can’t be received at court, play tricks on the men and shame them for trying to break their vows.

Since the men have sworn to forego the company of women, other characters are forced to act as go-betweens. These include Don Adriano de Armado (Steve Small of Medfield), a pompous Spaniard who is frequently taunted by the French, Jaquenetta (Rachel Harmon of Dover), a country maiden pursued by Don Armado, Anthony Dull (Paul Collins of Medfield), the constable, Costard (Barbara Schapiro of Sharon), a Shakespearean fool, and Holofernes (Marielle Boudreau of Natick), the schoolmistress.

Rounding out the cast are Emilie Chamberlain of Dover as Marcade, and Cam Small of Medfield as the Page.

Director Shelby Bleiweis of Waltham has chosen to set the show in modern day. Ms. Bleiweis says, “This is a wonderful play for a summer Shakespeare production, as it is light, comical, and plays liberally with language and wooing customs. I am very excited to be part of what I am sure will be another amazing Gazebo Players production”.

All performances of Love’s Labour’s Lost start at 5 PM and are free to the public. Performances at the Gazebo in Medfield will be given on July 24, 25, 31, and August 1. Performances at Walpole Footlighters in Walpole (5 Scout Road) will be given on August 7 and 8. In case of rain, the Medfield performances will be at the Montrose School (29 North Street). Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic. Light refreshments will be available.

Directions to performance locations

The Gazebo Player’s production of Love’s Labour’s Lost is made possible by grants from the Medfield Cultural Council and the Walpole Cultural Council, both of which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The sound system is provided courtesy of Needham Bank. The Walpole performances are co-sponsored by the Walpole Footlighters.

The Gazebo Players production of Love's Labour's Lost is partially funded by grants from the Medfield Cultural Council and the Walpole Cultural Council, both of which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Walpole performances are co-sponsored by the Walpole Footlighters.

For more information about auditions for Love's Labours Lost please contact producer Amy Klesert at: amy.klesert at gmail.com.

About the Gazebo Players