As the Redbuds bloom amidst the beautiful, bustling town of Murphy’s, CA, thoughts of summer begin to buzz like the bees. For the staff, artists and patrons of Murphy’s Creek Theatre, visions of magical evenings filled with warm laughter and cool gentle breezes amongst the shadows of the oaks begin to come alive and dance in anticipation… For summer is the season of M.C.T.’s annual outdoor Shakespeare Festival at the Cornelia B. Stevenot Amphitheatre in Murphy’s, and their 19th season already promises to be very special and exciting!
Starting June 21st running Friday and Saturday nights through July 20th, “Theatre Under The Stars 2013” will open with one of William Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing.” The story opens with soldiers returning from war, some of whom carry the invisible scars of conflict, something slightly relevant these days. But the play is ultimately a comedy in which a band of pranksters conspire to bring Beatrice and Benedick, two of the sharpest wits to grace literature, together at the altar of holy matrimony.
Next up this summer is “The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) [Revised], which also runs Friday and Saturday nights from August 2 - September 1. Three guys, one dead playwright, and thirty-seven plays, all in under two hours. The whole family will enjoy watching three talented actors, armed with an outrageous assortment of outerwear, costumes and zany props, cram the Bard’s entire canon of plays (and sonnets) into 97 minutes of high-speed, over- the-top hilarity.
On top of a great pair of shows M.C.T. also offers audiences a magical outdoor experience in one of the most naturally beautiful venues in California. Guests can arrive as early as 6:30 in the evening to enjoy live acoustic music and fine dining under towering majestic Live Oaks, provided by award winning caterers such as Cupcake Wars’ finalist Lila and Sage and Columbia House Catering paired each night with award winning wineries including Val Du Vino and Chatom Vineyards, all while accompanied by live acoustic music performed by talented musicians from the local Sierra Nevada Foothills. And of course, after dinner and under a spectacular sunset, patrons will enjoy in Italian Renaissance style - the masterful works of William Shakespeare.
Along with Lila and Sage and Columbia House, dinners will also be provided by Murphy’s Catering and Creative Catering. Other featured wineries will include La Folia Winery, Zucca Mountain Vineyards, Hovey Winery, Chatom Winery, Lavender Ridge and many others. Dinner ticket packages are optional and carry an additional charge, which includes a glass of wine. Dinner reservations are mandatory and may be made when purchasing tickets or by calling the theatre. Dinner will be served from 6:45 until 7:30 pm. Performances begin at 8 pm, with dessert to be served at intermission.
Tickets are available now in Murphy’s at Sustenance Books and Murphy’s Music, or go online to www.murphyscreektheatre.or
If fine dining, exquisite wines and live theatre sound like your idea of an appealing summer night out, you will not be disappointed with MCT’s “Theatre Under The Stars 2013- Wine, Fine Dining and Shakespeare!”