Rejoicing is due with the return of spring and the Shakespeare Repertory in April! The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) invites you to reward your curiosity for theater enjoyment at no cost (and with free parking) by serving as a volunteer usher. The University Theater Department will perform two Shakespeare plays—Cymbeline and The Winter’s Tale—in the Stoll Thrust Theater in the Rarig Center. Each will be performed four times from April 4 through 10. This is a fine opportunity to experience the excellence of the University’s theater students and become more familiar with these lesser-performed works.

Cymbeline, King of Britain is based on legends of the ancient Celtic King during the Roman occupation. This wonderfully complex play has subplots galore: princes stolen at birth, a secretly married daughter, a wife more cruel than Lady Macbeth, a sinister Iago-type villain, and a maiden disguised as a boy. At its heart, the play has a political theme overlaid with romance and intrigue. Directed by Doug Scholz-Carlson, the play will be performed the evenings of April 6, 8 and 11, with a matinee on Sunday, April 9.

The Winter’s Tale begins with the delightful renewal of the childhood friendship of two men, now kings of Bohemia and Sicilia, whose relationship turns violent over misunderstandings and suspicion. Further complexities—accusations of infidelity and resultant insanity—develop across a 16-year period involving the kings’ children and friends. Directed by Steve Cardamone, the play will be performed the evenings of April 7, 9, and 10. with a matinee on Saturday, April 8.

You may volunteer to usher for one or more performances, perhaps with spouse or friend. Contact [email protected] to be registered for ushering and for specific times to appear. We will mail a free parking coupon when you register.

--Alan L. Kagan, Project Director

University Retirees Volunteer Center