Fun out of the sun – summer 2012 performing arts offerings in and around Ulster County

In addition, Powerhouse will offer ten new works during the two readings festivals. Admission is free, but seating in the Susan Stein Shiva Theater is limited, so you need to reserve a seat in advance. The first readings festival, June 22 to 24, will include 22 Seconds by Michele Lowe; Big Sky by Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros; and Good Bread Alley by April Yvette Thompson. Readings Festival 2, July 27 to 29, will include A Separate Peace by Warren Leight and Todd Almond; Jerome by Ron Lagomarsino; The Twenty-Seventh Man by Nathan Englander; The Untitled World’s Fair Play by the Debate Society; and While I Yet Live by Billy Porter.

Also free of charge at Powerhouse are student performances by the apprentice company at the Vassar campus’ outdoor amphitheater (rain location: Matthew’s Mug, College Center, Main Building).

And what would summer be without catching a performance of Shakespeare or the Greek classics under the stars? The apprentices will present Julius Caesar from July 6 to 9, The Comedy of Errors from July 13 to 16 and Euripides’ Medea from July 20 to 23.

A residency by noted theatre artist Erik Ehn will culminate in a performance of Ehn’s meditation on genocide Burnt Umber. It will be directed by Mia Rovegno, on July 20, in a venue yet to be announced. And on Thursdays, July 5, 12 and 19 in the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center’s After Gallery, members of the apprentice company will present a “Soundpainted” dance theatre piece by Mark Lindberg.

Matthew Amendt as Hamlet in last summer's Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival production.

June 12 to September 2

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

Boscobel, Garrison-on-Hudson

Box office: 265-9575

https://hvshakespeare.org/content/home

https://hvshakespeare.org/sites/default/files/u4/HVSF%20Brochure_web_4.pdf

A bit farther afield in Garrison, but worth the trip for the highly professional productions and stunning Hudson Highlands setting at Boscobel, is the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Come early and bring a picnic — or better yet, call up at least two days in advance of your visit and have a made-to-order picnic waiting for you when you get there.