Shakespeare's "Love's Labour's Lost"

The Mountainside Library’s annual summer theatre tradition returns this year, but with a different venue and time slot.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble will be performing William Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost  and Moliere’s Tartuffe.  Please note that both performances will be Saturday matinees and will be held, rain or shine, in the air conditioned community room of Mountainside Borough Hall.

 Love’s Labour’s Lost will be performed at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 9. 

 Tartuffe will be performed at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6. 

 “We thought it would be nice to offer matinee performances this year,” says library director Michael Banick.  “Many people have commented that they would rather not have an evening program.  The 11:00 start time allows people to enjoy live theatre with plenty of time afterward for lunch, for the pool, or for whatever else you would like to do on your Saturday.”

 Love’s Labour’s Lost is a delightful coming-of-age comedy, a witty and hilarious ode to youthful aspirations, infatuations and follies.  The young King of Navarre, along with three of his loyal friends, decide to dedicate themselves to the “noble pursuit of knowledge” for three full years, locking themselves away from all distractions…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 Labour’s Lost  not only charms, but also touches the heartstrings of young and old alike.  Directed by Abagail Isaac. 

 Moliere’s Tartuffe is as biting and witty today as it was when written over 300 years ago.  Orgon, a gullible and wealthy family man, invites the seemingly pious Tartuffe to stay at his home.  Despite the warnings of his family and friends, Orgon holds his friend Tartuffe in highest regard and showers him with gifts and money and even offers him his daughter’s hand in marriage.  The family tries to expose the true nature of the mysterious stranger, but will their efforts be too little, too late?  Tartuffe is a deliciously scathing attack on hypocrisy, false piety, hollow morality and gullibility. Directed by Mike Donahue.  

 Both of these performances are made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Mountainside Library.  Admission is free. 

 Each performance will run about an hour and there will be time after both performances for audience Q & A. 

 Mountainside Borough Hall is located at 1385 Route 22 East.  For more information, please contact the Mountainside Library at 908-233-0115 or visit www.mountainsidelibrary.org