Shakespeare Theatre Goes Al Fresco

will present its annual free Picnic Series by its Next Stage touring troupe of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor’s Lost on Saturday, July 16, at 5:30 p.m. and Molière’s Tartuffe at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 6. 

Picnic Series performances are held on the lawn outside the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave. at Lancaster Road in Madison.  For more information, visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org or call 973-408-5600.

Patrons are invited to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis. In the event of rain, the performance will be held in an indoor venue.

The one-hour version of Love’s Labour’s Lost is Shakespeare’s delightful coming-of-age comedy is an ode to youthful aspirations, infatuations and follies. The young King of Navarre, and his three loyal friends, decide to dedicate themselves to the “noble pursuit of knowledge” for three full years, locking themselves away from all distraction -- especially women. Their ambitious “ivory tower” is soon shaken, with the arrival of the lovely Princess of France and her three gamesome ladies-in-waiting. Filled with dazzling wordplay, strong comic characters and a few unexpected twists, Love’s Labor’s Lost not only charms, but also touches the heartstrings of young and old alike. 

Molière’s biting and witty comic masterpice, Tartuffe, although banned by France’s religious leaders after its first showing, quickly became a runaway hit and has remained so since its public reopening in 1669.  When Orgon, a gullible and wealthy family man, invites the seemingly pious Tartuffe to stay at his home, he is convinced that he has joined a noble cause.  Despite the warnings of his family and friends, Orgon holds his friend in the highest regard and showers him with gifts and money and even the offer of his daughter’s hand in marriage. The family soon lays traps to expose the true nature of the mysterious stranger. Will their efforts be too late? Will anything convince Orgon that Tartuffe is not all that he seems to be? Will harmony ever be restored in the Orgon household? Just wait and see!