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The Classical Theater of Harlem To Present

Macbeth

Directed by Alfred Preisser

Performances Begin Friday, July 28th and are FREE!!

Outdoors in Brooklyn and Harlem

The Classical Theater of Harlem (CTH) will present their critically acclaimed production of Macbeth outdoors at Von King Park in Brooklyn and in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. Performances will be on July 28th, 29th at Von King Park, and August 1st, 4th and 5th in Marcus Garvey Park. The show is part of the inaugural season of CityParks Theater Presented by Time Warner.

Shakespeare’s mystical tale of power, revenge and “murder most foul” will be told in an energized staging by CTH Artistic Director Alfred Preisser.  Macbeth was the first show that CTH presented when they began in 1999; a revised version was presented at CTH in 2003 and 2005, and was performed in Germany; a European tour will go out this year.  The production will be feature dance, chant, live music and song, and several severed heads.  One of Shakespeare’s shortest works, this fast-moving Macbeth will run approximately 90 minutes. 

Critics were unanimous with their praise of past mountings of CTH’s production of Macbeth. The New York Times wrote, “The play's relentless pace is pushed to rocket speed...manifestly effective." The New York Post agreed, "Electrifying...the most provocative outdoor Shakespeare in town.” And Citysearch said, "The Classical Theatre of Harlem [has] created their own indelible interpretation of a classic text."

The Classical Theatre of Harlem is a dynamic and unique theatre company dedicated to producing the classics for a new, young, and culturally diverse audience.  Since 1999, CTH has presented numerous classic plays, garnered 12 AUDELCO Awards (77 nominations) for Excellence in Black Theatre, won five OBIE Awards, and a Drama Desk Award.  Their production of Funnyhouse of a Negro was nominated for three 2006 Lucille Lortel Awards and won one, the first year they were eligible. CTH’s production of Ain’t Supposed To Die A Natural Death was picked up by an outside producer and recently finished a successful run at the nightclub T New York.

CityParks Theater Presented by Time Warner will be offered for the first time in 2006, beginning an annual summertime presentation of free theater in city parks. For the 2006 season, CPF is working with several New York City theater groups to create “park residencies” offering performances and hands-on workshops for adults and children. For more information visit www.CityParksFoundation.org or call (212) 360-8290.

City Parks Foundation is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer programming in parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City. By creating free arts, sports and educational programs in over 700 public parks, and by encouraging community development within public parks as a focal point, we help to revitalize not only parks but also the neighborhoods that surround them. Our programs and community-building initiatives now reach more than 600,000 New Yorkers each year contributing to the renewal of neighborhoods throughout New York City with a particular focus on some of the city's most underserved areas. The Classical Theatre of Harlem is pleased to be part of the inaugural season presented by Time Warner.

Macbeth will begin performances on Friday, July 28th, and will continue through Saturday, August 5th. Tickets are free.  For more information, visit their web site at www.classicaltheatreofharlem.org.

Macbeth

Directed by Alfred Preisser

Outdoors and FREE to the public

SCHEDULE:

Friday, July 28th and Saturday, July 29th at Von King Park (Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn)

Tuesday, August 1st, Friday, August 4th and Saturday, August 5th at Marcus Garvey Park (Harlem, Madison Avenue and 123rd Street)

All performances are at 8pm

311 West 43rd Street                                                                                          phone:         (212) 307-7181

New York, NY 10036                                                                                             Fax:               (212) 307-7178