Southern Shakespeare Festival relocates performances after storm damage

Martha Gruender, Tallahassee Democrat

The show will go on.

Southern Shakespeare Company announced Friday evening that its production of "The Winter's Tale" would move to Westminster Oaks for Saturday and Sunday after storms damaged equipment at Adderley Amphitheater.

But first there will be a clean up at Cascades Park beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Adderley Stage. Volunteers are needed! People who are able to safely travel to Cascades Park and trucks that are able to haul away debris are especially appreciated.

After Friday's damaging storm, Southern Shakespeare Festival is moving its production of "The Winter's Tale" to Westminster Oaks for the May 11-12 performances. Laura W. Johnson, left, and Nathan Darrow in the production.
After Friday's damaging storm, Southern Shakespeare Festival is moving its production of "The Winter's Tale" to Westminster Oaks for the May 11-12 performances. Laura W. Johnson, left, and Nathan Darrow in the production.

Southern Shakespeare Festival is also passing the virtual hat to help recover from damages. Donate to Southern Shakespeare at southernshakespearefestival.networkforgood.com.

From Southern Shakespeare: "We're thrilled our community partners have stepped up to host us after storm-force winds severely damaged our set and technical equipment at Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Parks."

"The Winter's Tale" will now be presented at Westminster Oaks (4449 Meandering Way) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12.

The dress rehearsal of Southern Shakespeare Festival's production of "The Winter's Tale," which is moving to Westminster Oaks for performances May 11-12, 2024.
The dress rehearsal of Southern Shakespeare Festival's production of "The Winter's Tale," which is moving to Westminster Oaks for performances May 11-12, 2024.

Each performance can accommodate up to 200 audience members. Seating is first-come, first served, though those that previously reserved seats at Cascades Park will have the ability to be first in line. Parking is available in the Westminster Oaks parking garage.

Guest director Shanara Gabrielle, actors, and crew are working to adapt their staging of the story so that it no longer relies on the two-story set design used in Thursday night's opening performance. Celebrity guest artist Nathan Darrow (television's House of Cards, Gotham) continues his star turn as King Leontes opposite Kaci Hamilton and Tallahassee's own Laura W. Johnson, plus a cast of local performers that have been featured on stages at FAMU's Essential Theatre, FSU's School of Theatre, Theatre TCC!, Theatre Tallahassee, and more. Local band Edessa's all-woman ensemble of strings will provide the live soundtrack for the performance.

The performance has a two-hour run time. More information is available at SouthernShakes.org.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Southern Shakespeare moves show to Westminster Oaks after storm damage

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