A Christmas Carol Coming to Strand Theater

Comedy Show to Benefit Spooner House

Valley Shakespeare Festival to stage 'Much Ado About Nothing' in Shelton

Shows slated at veterans' park

It’s late 1945 and World War II has just ended.  Europe is awash with soldiers from all over the world making their ways back home.   

A small town in Italy is excitedly preparing to welcome their returning heroes.  Now that they are no longer preoccupied with fighting, the soldiers’ minds turn toward…love!

But does that mean all their battles are over?

Find out the answer by attending Valley Shakespeare Festival’s free summer performances of William Shakespeare’s poignant comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.   

Join audiences from across the Valley at 8 p.m. July 10, 11, and 12 in Shelton’s Veterans’ Memorial Park for a unique theater experience under the stars.

Join Colin Ryan (Broadway: Waiting for Godot, No Man’s Land) as Benedick; Megan Emery Gaffney (Yale Rep Hangar Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre) as Beatrice; Jess Breda (VSF: Luciana in The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare in the Bar-Macbeth) as Hero; and Travis Czap (VSF: Shakespeare in the Bar-Macbeth) as Claudio and the rest of the cast as they navigate the crazy road to love and romance in Shakespeare’s  surprising comedy.

Come early, bring the family, spread out your blanket and enjoy a picnic  then at 8 p.m., sit back, hold on tight, and watch Beatrice, Benedick, Hero and Claudio as they ride the roller-coaster of love while fighting the perennial battle of the sexes.  “That’s amore!”

For a sneak preview of the play and a special opportunity to meet and mingle with the cast, Valley Shakespeare Festival will hold a “Meet and Greet” from 5-9 p.m. July 2 at the Twisted Vine Restaurant, 285 Main St., Derby. 

Admission is $15 per person by June 30, $20 at the door. Price includes an appetizer buffet from 5:30-7:30 p.m. followed by live entertainment by the cast.   

Tickets and more information are available by visiting www.vsfestival.org or by calling 203-513-9446.

“Much Ado About Nothing” is presented with support generously provided by the Valley Community Foundation.

This post is taken from a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit free theater company fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas serving the communities of the lower Naugatuck Valley.

Troupe in Shelton to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday

SHELTON -  Join Valley Shakespeare Festival as they celebrate William Shakespeare's 450th birthday. 

The party will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 26 at  Plumb Memorial Library, 47 Wooster St.

Join members of Valley Shakespeare Festival upstairs in the library's General Purpose/Reading room for a gently-used book sale, crafts and story time for the children, light refreshments and, of course, a birthday cake.

Valley Shakespeare Festival's artistic director will read "stories" of Shakespeare's works specially adapted for children throughout the event in an effort to introduce the young guests to his works, answer questions and promote an interest in the classics at an early age. 

Children in attendance will also be invited to craft the masks which will be worn by the actors in VSF's free summer production of "Much Ado About Nothing" which will be presented on July 10-12 at 8 p.m. at Shelton's Riverwalk and Veterans Park.  

Admission is free. A selection of gently used books, CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase at the party, all proceeds from which will be used to benefit the summer production.

Valley Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit theater company dedicated to bringing free theater to the communities of the lower Naugatuck Valley.

For information about Valley Shakespeare Festival, visit www.vsfestival.org or call 203-513-9446.

 

 

This is a release from Valley Shakespeare Festival.

Shelton troupe asks community to help celebrate a birthday

SHELTON - Members of The Valley Shakespeare Festival troupe are ready to celebrate William Shakespeare's 450th birthday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at Plumb Memorial Library, 62 Wooster St.

"Come help us celebrate with a book sale, crafting for the kids and free cake (while it lasts!)."

 

 

 

This is a press release from the Valley Shakespeare Festival. 

Valley troupe to present Shakespeare at Shelton bar

SHELTON - Valley Shakespeare Festival will inaugurate its partnership with Young Emerging Professionals March 13 when it will perform a live staged adaptation of Macbeth, Shakespeare’s monumental work about greed, power and murder.

The venue will be the upper level of Porky’s Café, 50 Center St. 
The event will run from 5:30-8 p.m.
Porky’s, like YEP, is a member of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce and will provide light refreshments for the evening and a cash bar. 

The performance is being held in conjunction with YEP’s monthly-scheduled networking meeting, YEPresents. 
It will feature a rousing interactive version of the classic play adapted by VSF’s executive and artistic director, Tom Simonetti, and will engage the audience in fun and inventive ways to become a part of the action. 

Professional actors from the area and New York City will be performing, and prizes will be awarded to audience members for their participation.

Admission is $10 a person (free for YEP members). Tickets may be purchased at www.vsfestival.org, or by calling Valley Shakespeare Festival, 203-513-9446.

Space is limited; advanced tickets are strongly suggested.

This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit organization fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas.

Valley troupe to kick off season at Derby restaurant

DERBY - Valley Shakespeare Festival will open its 2014 season with a Kick-Off Celebration from 5-9 p.m. Feb. 21 at Twisted Vine Restaurant, 285 Main St.

“Cocktails with Shakespeare” will take place on the restaurant’s lower level and, in addition to revealing the title of the company’s summer production, will feature prizes, live entertainment, cash bar and appetizers prepared by the Twisted Vine’s chef for an admission fee of $10 a person.  

Twisted Vine Restaurant is a loyal sponsor of Valley Shakespeare Festival, having sponsored three previous fundraisers for the company.

Valley Shakespeare Festival, a nonprofit theater company sponsored by Fractured Atlas and run entirely by volunteers, produced three free performances of Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” in July in Shelton’s Veterans Memorial Park and two performances of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in December at Shelton History Center’s Wilson Barn. 

The staff of VSF is excited to begin its second season and is thrilled to be able to continue its mission of providing free theater to the Valley.

Members of the company will be in attendance at the fundraiser to relate their experiences with VSF, answer questions and encourage newcomers to join with them in bringing the brilliance and beauty of Shakespeare and other classic literary artists to their family, friends and neighbors in the Valley. 
 
“It’s important to help a young group begin a wonderful journey,” explained Linda LaReau, a volunteer from the very inception. 
Cindy Vitone shares LaReau’s opinion and believes that Free Shakespeare provides an indispensable service for the Valley.
Vitone said, “‘Free’ opens peoples’ minds to the possibility of ‘Why not?’”
VSF provides individuals with the opportunity to explore their personal interest in theater in a hands-on manner as well as help to expand the arts in the Valley.  
Kevin Mackowski  is a relative newcomer to the company who joined after reading about the group in a news article.
“It is a great opportunity for those who have an interest in theater to take an active role, big or small, in this field,” he said. 
“The art scene in the Valley is operating in a diminished capacity, and bringing these events to the folks in the Valley, right in their towns, is the easiest way to enrich and expand the arts here.”
 Since it is run entirely by volunteers, VSF is always seeking to broaden its staff.  It is hoping that “Cocktails with Shakespeare” will entice some of those audience members who enjoyed their previous productions to drop by and learn just how exciting and rewarding it is to be a part of an emerging theater company.
 “I offered my services as a volunteer without knowing any of the troupe and I was made to feel very welcome and accepted right away,” said Mackowski.  “I could see the passion and dedication in the people involved and it is contagious.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased by calling Valley Shakespeare Festival, 203-513-9446 or by visiting www.vsfestival.org.


This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival. 

Troupe to read 'A Christmas Carol' at Shelton History Center

Friday, December 13th at 6pm-SOLD OUT
Saturday, December 14th at 1pm-Limited Availability
Shelton History Center 70 Ripton Road Shelton, CT
Call NOW for tickets or more information: 203-513-9446
or click here

Join us, and the Shelton History Center for the newest holiday event in the Lower-Nagatuck Valley!  
Charles Dicken's timeless tale of redemption and goodwill to all, comes to life with six actors playing 26 roles and using  just three music stands in the historic Wilson Barn (built c. 1860).  
Seasonal baked goods and warm beverages will be served starting at 6pm on Friday, and 1pm on Saturday.

Click here to download our study-guide prepared by Valley Shakespeare Festival.

Shelton troupe to stage reading of 'A Christmas Carol'

Don't forget to grab your ugliest holiday sweater (like Don and Kathy did) and join us for... Fri.,  December 13th at 6pm Sat., December 14th at 1pm at the Shelton History Center 70 Ripton Road Shelton, CT 06484 in the historic Wilson Barn (c. 1860) Seasonal baked goods and WARM beverages will be provided before the event.  Join us for Charles Dickens' heartwarming tale!  Perfect for your family and friends! Click HERE to get tickets, or call us at 203-513-9446!             (Jeremy Funke as Ebenezer Scrooge, Kristen Kingsley, Steve Mazzoccone, Megan McGarvey, Alex Luft and Artistic Director, Tom Simonetti) Facebook Twitter Website Click here to download our specially prepared study-guide, perfect for all ages when you want to be in-the-know of our production! SICK OF COOKING for the holidays...well take some time to Unwind-at-the-Vine!  During the holiday season, mention Valley Shakespeare Festival to your server, and 10% of the cost of your meal, will be donated to us by the restaurant!

Derby restaurant to donate 10 percent to troupe

DERBY - Valley Shakespeare Festival and Twisted Vine Restaurant, 285 Main St., have announced their "Dine at the Vine" program.  

Twisted Vine Restaurant will donate 10 percent of food and beverage costs incurred by their diners who mention Valley Shakespeare Festival during November and December back to VSF.  

Mike Picone, the "Vine's" owner, is an early and loyal supporter of Valley Shakespeare Festival having already hosted two of the Festival's dinner/theater fundraisers. 

In an effort to find new ways to help support the non-profit theater company, Picone suggested this mutually beneficial endeavor.  

If you are one of the many hundreds who enjoyed Valley Shakespeare Festival's free production of "The Comedy of Errors" at Veterans Memorial Park in Shelton last summer and would like to continue to see more of the same, support the troupe and "Dine at the Vine" this holiday season.


This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival.

Valley troupe to present reading of 'A Christmas Carol'

SHELTON - Valley Shakespeare Festival, in association with Shelton Historical Society, will present a staged reading of the beloved Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" next month.   

The Shelton Historical Society will host the event at 6 p.m. Dec.13 and at 1 p.m. Dec. 14 in the Shelton History Center’s Wilson Barn, 70 Ripton Road. 

Each event will start with a reception of seasonal baked goods and beverages followed by a dramatic reading of the all-time favorite tale of redemption and the true meaning of Christmas.  

Valley Shakespeare Festival will present the story in 30-40 minutes using only six actors playing all 26 roles, with minimal staging and costuming, preserving the simplicity of the tale, and allowing Dickens’ writing to take center stage.

Tickets are required and may only be purchased online at www.vsfestival.org or by calling 203-513-9446, as seating is limited. 

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children/students, and children under age 5 are free.  Visit www.vsfestival.org for more information and ticket purchase.

Donations of canned goods for the needy will be gratefully accepted.

The Wilson Barn is an authentic 19th century structure and is not heated; please be sure to dress warmly.


This is a press release from the Valley Shakespeare Festival.

Dinner in Derby benefits Valley Shakespeare Festival

Revelers at fundraiser for Shelton troupe. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Valley Shakespeare Festival’s “All Hallows Eve” fundraiser last week at the Twisted Vine Restaurant was a hugely successful event.
Sixty-plus revelers were welcomed to the Halloween-themed dinner theater, arriving attired in all manner of costumes from insects to pixies, spies, superheroes, cartoon characters, historical figures, vampires and, of course, witches (it was, after all, a Shakespearean party!) 

A buffet dinner was generously provided by Mike Picone’s Twisted Vine Restaurant, followed by coffee and a Valley Shakespeare Festival cake. 

Guests were entertained by many members of the cast who performed in the company’s summer production of "The Comedy of Errors."
 Kristen Kingsley of Shelton, Amy Strachan of Monroe and Sarah Ann Masse of Trumbull, playing the three witches, opened with a reading of Act I, Scene I of "MacBeth."
They were joined by Shelton native Tom Simonetti, Nick Afka Thomas of Trumbull, and New Yorkers Adam Kezele and Jessica Breda, for a rousing rendition of “Magic To Do” from the Tony award-winning musical "Pippin."
Nick and Adam took a serious turn and wowed the crowd with a moving reading of Act III Scene III of "Hamlet" in which Hamlet comes upon his uncle, the king, in prayer confessing the murder of Hamlet’s father.
Jessica was up next, and lightened the mood with a delightful reading of the tongue-twister “Jabberwocky” from Lewis Carroll’s "Through the Looking Glass."
Kristen, Jessica and Sarah then returned with a deeply affecting performance of Act V Scene I of MacBeth in which Lady MacBeth is observed sleepwalking while uttering the famous line “Out damned spot.”
It featured Sarah as the tormented Lady MacBeth, Kristen as the doctor and Jessica as the gentlewoman.
Shifting gears again, Tom and Amy came on and brought down the house with a spirited performance of the satirical number “A Little Priest” from Sondheim’s "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street." Nick concluded the evening’s entertainment with a heartening reading of Prospero’s Epilogue of "The Tempest."

The evening waning, the cast took a moment to confer about to whom to award the grand prize of the costume contest, two tickets to a performance of Westport Country Playhouse’s 2014 Season. 

Margaret Watkins was chosen for her original and inventive wardrobe creation, “Steampunk Rock Girl,” a style of clothing, and an artistic style as well, of the late '80s inspired by works by H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and the industrialization of Western Civilization on culture during the 19th century.


Restaurant to donate to troupe
Folks who wish to continue to enjoy and support free theater in the Valley are encouraged to return to the Twisted Vine during November and December. That's when 10 percent of all food and beverage costs incurred by diners who mention Valley Shakespeare Festival will be donated back to the Company by the restaurant.

If you’d like to see more free theater in the Valley, support Valley Shakespeare Festival and “Dine at the Vine!”
 

Cast members include, from left, Valley Shakespeare Festival founder and Shelton native Tom Simonetti, Kristen Kingsley, Sarah Ann Masse, Nick Afka Thomas, Amy Strachan, Jess Breda and Adam Kezele. / Contributed photo

This post is a slightly edited press release from Cheryl O'Brien of Shelton. 


I'm sorry I had to miss this event ~ it looks like a fun time was had by all!

Dine at Derby restaurant, support local troupe

Valley Shakespeare Festival, a Shelton-based nonprofit organization, was founded earlier this year.

Valley Shakespeare Festival plans fundraiser in Derby

DERBY - The Valley Shakespeare Festival will hold a Halloween-themed fundraiser from 5-9 p.m. Oct. 24 at Twisted Vine Restaurant, 285 Main St.


The $15 admission price includes a buffet dinner from 5-7:30 p.m. with chicken, pasta, salad, bread, and dessert. Cash bar.
Entertainment will be from 7:30-8:30 p.m. with musical skits and dramatic readings.

Costume contest will be from 8:30- 9 p.m.  Dress as your favorite literary character. Prizes will be awarded.

For tickets, call 203-513-9446.


This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival.   

Shakespeare staged in Shelton

Hundreds brave heat to attend performances

A scene from Shakespeare's 'The Comedy of Errors' presented last week at Veterans' Memorial Park in Shelton. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - The Valley Shakespeare Festival kicked off its inaugural season with its production of "The Comedy of Errors" at Veterans' Memorial Park last week.

The three performances were both well-received and well-attended by more than 400 guests who braved the heat and the threat of severe thunderstorms to make their way to the park to enjoy the first ever free outdoor Shakespeare production in the Valley's history.

These courageous and dedicated souls were rewarded with three beautiful nights of comic theater under the moon and stars served up as only the Bard of Avon can do.  "Our revels now are ended...", but only for a time! 

Valley Shakespeare Festival will be back with more fun and entertaining events throughout the course of the year and again next summer with a new play, so be sure to keep an eye out for their upcoming events.

The cast and crew would like to thank all who attended the performances and their fundraiser and all their wonderful sponsors for their belief in the organization's vision and support of their dream to provide free Shakespeare for all. 



This press release was submitted by Shelton resident Cheryl O'Brien. 

Derby 'speakeasy' sets stage for Shakespeare festival fundraiser

Event featured Roaring '20s theme 

DERBY - I attended a fun fund-raising dinner Thursday at Twisted Vine restaurant for the Valley Shakespeare Festival. 
The basement of the 19th-century building that once housed the Birmingham National Bank was packed with enthusiastic supporters of the fledgling acting troupe. 

Jeremy Funke and Jessica Breda perform a scene from Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" Thursday at the Twisted Vine restaurant.

Here Funke listens to a rather stressed Steve Mazzoccone.

Funke and Mazzoccone hold Megan McGarvey during yet another scene.  


Valley Shakespeare Festival founder Tom Simonetti, a Shelton native, said he was pleased with the turnout Thursday.
He publicly thanked Shelton resident Cheryl O'Brien for all of her volunteer efforts in putting together the event.

 

Tom Simonetti, at right, wows the crowd as he talks about his Shakespeare troupe.
 

The free show will be performed Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Veterans' Memorial Park in Shelton.
Stay tuned for a story in Monday's New Haven Register.

Shakespeare headed to Shelton

Don't worry! She's OK - just rehearsing for the Valley Shakespeare Festival's 'The Comedy of Errors' production. Pictured are Jeremy Funke and Megan McGarvey.


SHELTON - I met some of the cast members and crew of the first outdoor Shakespeare production to be performed July 18-20 at Veterans Memorial Park along the Riverwalk. Admission is free. 


They've been rehearsing in the meeting room at Plumb Memorial Library for less than two weeks, said artistic director and group founder Tom Simonetti, a city native who now lives in New York City.

The troupe was a fun group to be around. There is nothing like theater folks!

Today there is a Cast Meet and Greet at The Twisted Vine restaurant, 285 Main St., Derby. For a $10 admission price you'll get a three-course meal and a chance to see some of the scenes from the play.

Funke gives Steve Mazzoccone a hand. The actors portray identical twins in the play.

And here Funke and Jessica Breda rehearse a scene.




I'm looking forward to attending a performance next week. We may even bring along a picnic.

 Stay tuned for a story in the New Haven Register.