Shakespeare in the Parks presents top theater touring the Rockies

A wide-ranging group of several hundred people watched a spectacular "Hamlet" in Fishtail Family Park. All ages make up the audience which offered a standing ovation at play's end. 

 
TRAVELING TROUPE BRINGS SHAKESPEARE TO THE MASSES IN AMBITIOUS MONTANA PROGRAM 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

As "Hamlet," Riley O'Toole delivers the famous
"alas poor Yorick" speech. It is one of the
Bard's most famous speeches, reflecting on
the brevity of life. The skull is his jester's.   

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

FOR MORE than a half-century, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has produced top theater across Big Sky Country, and in our neighboring states.

The program, based in Bozeman at Montana State University, offers free high caliber entertainment by a gifted company from many U.S. states. Donations are encouraged because audience support is necessary to supplement funding from Montana Cultural Trust.

Packed parks and other venues in 65 communities and 110 schools experience live classic theater.  Many have never seen a play, much less professional Shakespearean drama.  As a mother said at a recent "Hamlet" in Fishtail, "This is priceless:  educational, enriching, unique. My kids love it."

Bruce keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers
at Fishtail Family Park for a terrific "Hamlet."

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kevin Asselin applauds the program's longstanding tradition of collaboration with communities. "It is inspiring to witness how people unite through the power of storytelling."

All ages come together to enjoy the company's efforts, both in schools and park performances.
Longtime director Joel Jahnke directed the successful program for 36 years, building friendship and support across a daunting demographic area.  His tireless efforts continue in the energy of the 2024 company, with fine actors such as Riley O'Toole, whose "Hamlet" fascinates and thrills audiences. Gender bending is part of the fun, too. Justine Ryan, for instance, plays Hamlet's friend Guildenstern. It's a terrific, talented company with no weak links.

A play within the play: Hamlet has arranged for a troupe
of actors to present a sketch in which the king is poisoned.
Avery Johnson pretends to commit the deed. 

PEOPLE BRING their lawn chairs and blankets early, and set up their places. It's fine to bring a cooler or picnic basket, as people often do.  Children are amazingly quiet and attentive, and families are welcome to this popular event.

Joel Jahnke was director of the successful
touring program for 36 years.

The troupe of seasoned actors doubles as costumers, technicians, designers and fund-raisers for one of the state's most enterprising organizations. The troupe tours the Rockies each year to the delight of playgoers from eastern Washington to northern Wyoming,  Montana and even North Dakota
With a schedule that would challenge most actors, the young, limber company presents two plays in repertory fashion. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks was started in 1973 by the late Bruce Jacobsen. Jahnke came to MSU in 1976, when the company was only three years old. The company has always shown remarkable energy, but the schedule was shorter then -- touring to 

Executive-artistic director
Kevin Asselin sustains the
vision and directs "Hamlet."

only 22 communities, up from seven.

WHAT MAKES the endeavor noteworthy is that in a single day, the company transforms an empty space into a believable theatrical stage -- complete with balcony, set, costumes and technical enhancements. The feat is remarkable when one considers it is done day after day with little time off and in unpredictable weather.

In the foreground are Jamie Herb as Ophelia and Riley O'Toole
as Hamlet. Seated are Calvin Adams as the plotting Claudius
and Emily Michelle Walton as his new wife Gertrude.

Besides "Hamlet," the company features "The Winter's Tale," which also deals with themes of jealousy and infidelity. Redemption and forgiveness are at the heart of this lighter, more lyrical play, while "Hamlet" is a revenge play, perhaps one of history's most famous and intense theatrical works.

An extensive outreach program includes the popular school programs and other fund-raisers and presentations.

A tender moment in "The Three
Musketeers" from the 2023 tour.

The season began in  hometown  Bozeman for a week. Stops are mostly a single night, or occasionally two. The troupe always performs in Bozeman for Sweet Pea Festival, and during the summer visits Butte, Big Sky, Glendive, Lewistown, Roundup, Big Timber, Columbus, Gardiner, Red Lodge, and many other towns.  

The production visits Pocatello, Idaho; Beach, North Dakota; Liberty Lake, Washington, and several Wyoming towns.

The August docket finds the company in Salmon, Idaho, Dillon, Deer Lodge, Helena, Great Falls, Polson, Missoula, Anaconda, and more.  The tour ends in September, with performances in Townsend, Butte, Boulder, White Sulphur Springs, Livingston, Pony, Whitehall, Twin Bridges and back to hometown Bozeman, for the Sept. 10 finale of "Hamlet."

For more information, to find a date near you, or to donate: shakespeareintheparks.org

 

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers high in
the Swiss Alps aboard Bernina Express, passing through the
UNESCO World Heritage site of Rhaetian Railway.

UP NEXT: Bernina Express offers a thrilling way to observe some of the world's most spectacular mountain scenery.  We hopped aboard to transit the Alps, passing through a UNESCO World Heritage site, and stopping several times to soak up the view.  Even in summer, it's cool up here! Come with us to enjoy this panoramic train which  connects the north of Europe to its south – passing by glaciers and dense forests.  Meanwhile, enjoy, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, family, nature, performance and more: www.whereiscookie.com