Children's Shakespeare Theatre

Much Ado Inspires Shakespeare Night Fever

Disco inferno has rekindled with the Children's Shakespeare Theatre (CST) in Sparkill, New York, and the opening night audience will be invited to shake shake Shakespeare their booties, too.

The company is setting its first show of the year, William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing in a disco. Under the direction of Joanne Zipay, the Rogues (a troupe of kids ages 14–18) are exploring the funky world of the late 1970s, mashing up Shakespeare's story with some iconic characters such as The Village People.

After the opening performance on Friday, Nov. 11, the theater at the Palisades Presbyterian Church will be transformed into a dance floor where guests can party on down until midnight.

Edvins Puris, father to CST company member Anna Puris, is the play's choreographer who taught the cast the '70s steps. His work with the company began with last season's King John in which he choreographed the compelling tango battle. He had so much fun working with the kids that he asked for more.

“I firmly believe that the world would be a better place if everybody participated daily in disco dancing,” he said, and he will be at the after-show party to help guests learn—or remember—the dance moves of lore.

A special range of ticket prices apply to the opening night show: The "Double J" at $35 for dancing plus two drinks; "Tony Monero" at $25 for just dancing (drinks may be purchased on site); "Stephanie" for kids under 18 accompanied by an adult. To purchase tickets, go to shakespearenightfever.brownpapertickets.com.

November 2, 2016

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