'Shakespeare on the Lawn' Free Summer Shows at Brookdale Community College

Lincroft, NJ - Brookdale Community College’s 15th annual “Shakespeare on the Lawn” series will kick off July 7 on the Great Lawn of the Lincroft campus, 765 Newman Springs Road.

The free, open-air theater performances will be held Thursday through Sunday evenings from July 7 to 17. Showtime is 7 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. Snacks will be available for purchase as well.

This year’s production will feature William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” which follows the protagonist Claudio as he is arrested and sentenced to death by Lord Angelo, the temporary leader of Vienna. The play, considered one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays,” is part comedy and part tragedy, centered on characters who share widely differing perspectives on themes such as freedom, justice, corruption, relationships, morality and hypocrisy.

“The story is based around hidden identities, misunderstandings, manipulation and lies,” said director and Brookdale theater professor John Bukovec. “No one can agree whether it is a comedy, tragedy or a dark comedy. Audience members will have to come and decide for themselves.”

The performances feature more than 20 local actors and Brookdale theater students from Freehold, Hazlet, Holmdel, Manalapan, Matawan, Middletown, Morganville, Oceanport, Red Bank, Spring Lake Heights and Tinton Falls.

Performances are cancelled in the event of inclement weather. For more information call the Brookdale Performing Arts Center Box Office at (732) 224-2411.