Shakespeare by the Sea Draws Huge Crowds at Garfield Park

More than 600 people attended Shakespeare by the Sea’s Wednesday evening performance of “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” and over 900 filled Garfield Park for ”A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Thursday night.

Marking its 17th season, Shakespeare by the Sea opened its 2014 season in San Pedro and traveled to beach communities and towns across Southern California performing top-quality works featuring outstanding actors who not only bring characters to life onstage, they also reconstruct and strike sets at each locale and interact with audiences in character, selling raffle tickets and collecting surveys.

Founder and Producing Artistic Director Lisa Coffi told the crowd SBTS has been coming to Garfield Park for 12 years because they love the venue’s beautiful landscape and South Pasadena audiences.

Expertly directed by Stephanie Coltrin, the “Hamlet” cast skillfully presented the Bard’s tragic tale of mortality, vengeance and madness. Cylan Brown captivated the crowd in his rich portrayal of Hamlet, along with riveting performances from Kristina Teves (Gertrude), Jay Castle (Claudius/Ghost), B.J. Allman (Horatio), Charles M. Howell (Polonius), Olivia Delgado (Ophelia) and Nick Fawwaz (Laertes).

Garret Replogle (Rosencrantz) and Robert McHalffey (Guildenstern) were delightful as Hamlet’s friends summoned by Claudius to determine the source of the prince’s melancholy. The duo employs a troupe of traveling actors captivatingly portrayed by Tyler Gray (Bernardo/Player Queen), Greg Prusiewicz (Osric), Nick Fawwaz (Player King) and Andy Kallok (Marcellus/Player).

SBTS included the Hamlet graveyard scene, which is often cut from productions due to time restraints, featuring gravediggers Michael Ring and Chris Aron. The entire play was set to chilling music and brought to life by impressive costumes designed by Christa Armendariz and scenic design by Aaron Jackson.

“Midsummer” was hilarious from beginning to end, holding the attention of the night’s youngest attendees, who squealed in laughter at the characters’ antics. A quirky story of romance and passion, cases of mistaken identities and misplaced affection ensue when forest fairies concoct a love potion to refocus gentleman suitors’ attention with laugh-out-loud results.

Brilliantly directed by Patrick Vest, who also plays Bottom and choreographed fights for both shows, the entire cast offered superior comic portrayals of Oberon/Theseus (B.J. Allman), Hippolyta/Titania (Kathryn Farren), Demetrius (Garret Replogle), Lysander (Robert McHalffey), Hermia (Olivia Schlueter-Corey), Helena (Bridget Garwood), Puck/Philostrate (G. Anthony Joseph), Egeus/Mustardseed (Andy Kallok), Peter Quince (Michael Ring), Snug (Tyler Gray), Flute (Greg Prusiewicz), Snout (Nick Fawwaz), Starveling/Cobweb (Nicole Knudsen), Peaseblossom (Olivia Delgado) and Moth (Katelyn Spurgin).

Aaron Jackson provided ”Midsummer” scenic design, with costume design by Jamie Brown. Tour manager was Paul Vaneer Roest.

Admission to all shows is free, so the theater company relies on donations from sponsors, attendees, and stipends from cities ranging from $500 to $3,000 per appearance, although in the absence of funding, they still book performances and look to the community for support.

Donations may be sent to: Shakespeare by the Sea, Summer Shakespeare Fund, 777 S. Centre Street, San Pedro, CA 90731.

For more information, visit www.shakespearebythesea.org.