Murphy’s Creek Theatre presents: THEATRE UNDER THE STARS 2013 – WINE, DINNER AND SHAKESPEARE!!
As the Redbuds bloom amidst the beautiful, bustling town of Murphy’s, CA, thoughts of summer begin to buzz like the bees. For the staff, artists and patrons of Murphy’s Creek Theatre, visions of magical evenings filled with warm laughter and cool gentle breezes amongst the shadows of the oaks begin to come alive and dance… For summer is the season of MCT’s annual outdoor Shakespearian Theatre schedule at the Cornelia B. Stevenot Amphitheatre, and their 19th season already promises to be very special and exciting!
Starting June 21st and running through July 20th, “Theatre Under The Stars 2013” opens with one of William Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing!” The story opens with soldiers returning from war, some of whom carry the invisible scars of conflict, something relevant these days. But the play is ultimately a comedy in which a band of pranksters conspire to bring Beatrice and Benedick, two of the sharpest wits to grace literature, together at the altar in holy matrimony.
Next in the summer lineup is, “The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) [Revised], which runs from August 2 - September 1. Three guys, one dead playwright, and thirty-seven plays, all in under two hours. The whole family will enjoy watching three talented actors, armed with an outrageous assortment of outerwear, costumes and zany props, cram the Bard’s entire canon of plays (and sonnets) into 90 minutes of high-speed, over- the-top hilarity.
On top of a great line-up of summer shows MCT is also enhancing its outdoor program this year in a variety of ways. Audiences this summer will not just see a play, but will also enjoy a wonderful pre-show program as well. Guests can arrive as early as 6:30 in the evening to enjoy live acoustic music and fine dining under the oaks, featuring gourmet dinners catered by some of the most talented chefs in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties, paired each night with just the right red or white wines from one of our area’s finest local wineries. On any performance night audience members will be able to enjoy a gourmet dinner under the oaks, provided by award winning caterers such as Cupcake Wars’ finalist Lila and Sage, paired with an exquisite Italian wine from say, Val Du Vino Winery, all while accompanied with live music performed by talented acoustic musicians from the Sierra Foothills, including The Lava Cats and members of The Hot Dark. And of course, after dinner and under a spectacular sunset, patrons will enjoy - in Italian Renaissance style - the masterful works of William Shakespeare.
Along with Lila and Sage, dinners will also be provided by Murphy’s Catering, Columbia House Catering and Creative Catering. Other featured wineries will include La Folia Winery, Zucca Mountain Vineyards, Hovey Winery, Chatom Winery, Lavender Ridge and many more. Dinner ticket packages are optional and carry an additional charge, which includes a glass of wine. Dinner reservations are mandatory. Dinner will be served from 6:45 until 7:30 pm. Performances begin at 8 pm, with dessert to be served at intermission.
Tickets are available now at The Black Bart Playhouse, Sustenance Books and Murphy’s Music, or go online to www.murphyscreektheatre.org, or call the theatre at (209)728-8422. If fine dining, exquisite wines and live theatre sound like your idea of an appealing summer night out, you will not be disappointed with MCT’s “Theatre Under The Stars 2013- Wine, Dinner and Shakespeare!”