by Jayme Foltz | Apr 11, 2022 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Soft pop and the whistle of coffee machines fill the air as students bustle through the Starbucks entrance. Baristas are hard at work making beverages for caffeine-hungry students, while others flock together to catch up with their friends between classes. In the far corner seated in two leather chairs are students, Jakholbi Murry and Shelby Talbert, casually chatting. I sought out their expertise on a subject they should be well informed about. Shakespeare. Is he still relevant in modern culture? “Yeah!” The duo exclaimed after stealing a glance at one another. The duo has been preparing for months for the performance of Romeo and Juliet, in which they play the role of the tragic couple. “I think his stories keep getting pulled over and over because they resonate,” Talbert said. “They continue to talk about topics that are important to us and there are always new ways to reinvent them.” Shakespeare was known and still could be considered the greatest dramatist of all time. The poet wrote over 150 poems and more than 30 plays that span a range of genres including comedy, romance, and tragedy. He continues to inspire creatives with his legacy. Such as Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” inspired by Romeo and Juliet and The Lumineers’ “Ophelia” inspired by Hamlet. Disney’s The Lion King is also paralleled by Hamlet and the classic rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. “A lot of places see Shakespeare as the pinnacle of theatre, like, that’s what good theatre looks like,” Murry said. “I think it’s why so many places, all across...
by Ellen Butterfield | Jan 25, 2015 | News Slider
After spending much of January at Belmont University, The Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s tour of “Twelfth Night” will arrive at Lipscomb’s Willard Collins Alumni Auditorium this week. Shakespeare can frighten off modern audiences due to the confusing diction and seemingly out-of-date expressions. “Don’t be intimidated by the language,” said “Twelfth Night” cast member and Lipscomb senior Austin Hunt. Hunt is urging fellow students to give the play a try when it opens. “Show up and watch the show. Pay attention to what we’re saying, but pay attention to what we’re doing, too. We will tell the story to you through our actions and our physicality.” The production was written by William Shakespeare as a celebration for the 12 days of Christmas, but it is also an entertaining blend of comedy and romance infused with song. In “Twelfth Night,” a shipwreck occurs that forces a young girl named Viola to believe her twin brother has died. She then dresses up as him and takes a job with Duke Orcino, who loves Olivia. While disguised as a boy, Viola is sent by the Duke to woo Olivia for him. Olivia falls in love with Viola as a boy instead of the Duke. Twelfth Night speaks comedically about the power and problems of love. Hunt portrays Curio, a manservant to the duke. He has studied with The Nashville Shakespeare Festival since 2013, and he is proud to point out that to best enjoy Shakespeare’s writings, a visit to a live performance is necessary. “Shakespeare was never meant to be read,” Hunt said. “Shakespeare was meant to be performed and watched.” The challenge for Hunt is understanding...
by Jamin Craig | Oct 17, 2014 | News Slider
Two infamous gangs are squaring off on Collins Alumni Auditorium stage on Halloween weekend. No, these gangs are not real, but they are part of the iconic musical phenomenon known at West Side Story. The musical, inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, tells the story of two star-crossed lovers,Tony and Maria. The two meet at a dance and immediately fall in love, but they quickly realize they have to keep their relationship secret since they come from rivaling groups of people. The setting is the West Side of New York City. The two groups are gangs; the Sharks, a feisty group of Puerto Ricans that are friends of Maria, and the Jets, the tough group of New Yorkers that Tony aligns himself with. Mike Fernandez, the dean of the new College of Entertainment & the Arts, is directing the show. He said that West Side Story presents new opportunities for those involved. “We were really aching for a strong, gritty musical that had some great dance to it,” Fernandez said. “We certainly had done shows before that explored dance, but we really wanted something that would push us in terms of dance capability. We also felt like we wanted to push ourselves musically, and so how better to do that than with West Side Story?” Tyler Russell, a senior theatre major, will be playing the role of Tony. Russell said he is ecstatic that he gets to play such an iconic role. But, to Russell, playing Tony has not come without its challenges. “Physically, emotionally and vocally, Tony is the most difficult role I have ever played,” Russell said. “So...
by Allison Woods | Sep 9, 2010 | News Slider
A Nashville gem, Shakespeare in the Park, closes its show Love’s Labor’s Lost this weekend in Centennial Park. Shakespeare in the Park has been a part of Nashville for 23 years. Thousands gather each year in the Centennial Park Bandshell for a night of celebrating the Nashville theatre scene and enjoying free Shakespeare. Love Labor’s Lost is a comedy about four men who renounce love for academics, but Cupid takes control when four beautiful women show up. Taking a very earthy approach, the play combines the natural elements with a Victorian time period. The show runs Thursday through Sunday starting at 7:30 p.m. However, if you want to find a place to spread your blanket, you need to arrive by 6:45 p.m. The show is free, but a $5 donation is suggested, which goes to their production costs. This weekend is the closing weekend and your last chance to experience Shakespeare in the Park. Nashville Shakespeare Festival will be debuting its first piece not written by William Shakespeare this fall. They are presenting “Shakespeare’s Case” in which Shakespeare is charged with being irrelevant and forced to testify in court. Next year’s summer production will be Romeo and Juliet. But that’s not all! This month is full of Nashville culture. Greek Fest runs September 10-12 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church near the intersection of Franklin Pike and Tyne Boulevard. The Italian Lights Festival also happens this weekend, and Oktoberfest is scheduled for October 9 in historic Germantown in Nashville. Don’t have plans for Saturday night? Stomp some grapes, make a picnic of baklava and head to Centennial Park for...
