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The Hudson Shakespeare Company is a regional Shakespeare touring festival based in
Jersey City
Jersey City is the second-most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey, after Newark.Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It lies west of the lower Hudson River, which was named for Henry Hudson, the sea captain who explored the area in 1609. Part of New Jersey's Gateway Region in t ...
, that produces an annual summer Shakespeare in the Park festival and often features lesser done Shakespeare works such as ''The Two Noble Kinsmen
''The Two Noble Kinsmen'' is a Jacobean tragicomedy, first published in 1634 and attributed jointly to John Fletcher and William Shakespeare. Its plot derives from "The Knight's Tale" in Geoffrey Chaucer's ''The Canterbury Tales'', which had ...
'' and ''Timon of Athens
''Timon of Athens'' (''The Life of Tymon of Athens'') is a play written by William Shakespeare and probably also Thomas Middleton in about 1606. It was published in the ''First Folio'' in 1623. Timon lavishes his wealth on parasitic companion ...
''. The company also produces several modern-day productions in non theatrical venues such as their courtroom shows of '' Inherit the Wind'' and ''A Few Good Men
''A Few Good Men'' is a 1992 American legal drama film based on Aaron Sorkin's 1989 play. It was written by Sorkin, directed by Rob Reiner, and produced by Reiner, David Brown and Andrew Scheinman. It stars an ensemble cast including Tom Cru ...
'' in the Hoboken Municipal Courtroom. It produce a yearly educational program that ranges from student workshops to full length Shakespeare productions.
History
In 1992, Jersey City native L. Robert "Luther" Johnson decided to mount a staged reading of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Hamilton Park in Jersey City. Having worked as a technical consultant for such companies asRiverside Shakespeare
The ''Riverside Shakespeare'' is a long-running series of editions of the complete works of William Shakespeare published by the Houghton Mifflin company.
The first ''Riverside Shakespeare'' was edited by Richard Grant White and published in ...
and New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players
New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players (often known as NYGASP) is a professional repertory theatre company, based in New York City that has specialized in the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan for over 40 years. It performs an annual season in N ...
in New York, Johnson remarked "I noticed that when you were on one side of the Hudson you couldn't walk five feet without finding a company of actors doing Shakespeare, but on this side of the river there was nothing." He partnered with several theatrical friends who he had worked with previously in such community theaters as the Park Players of Union City and Civic Theater of Hudson County in Jersey City for this first production under the banner of "Hudson Shakespeare Company", named after Hudson County
Hudson County is the most densely populated county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It lies west of the lower Hudson River, which was named for Henry Hudson, the sea captain who explored the area in 1609. Part of New Jersey's Gateway Region in ...
. While this first production featured "13 people on stage and 5 in the audience, he was undeterred and continued to produce Shakespeare under "Hudson Shakespeare Company" and modern works such as ''Driving Miss Daisy
'' Driving Miss Daisy'' is a 1989 American comedy-drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Alfred Uhry, based on his 1987 play of the same name. The film stars Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd. Freeman reprised his ...
'' and '' Waiting for Godot'' under "Patchwork Theater Company".
In 1996, Johnson met fellow actor and director Jon Ciccarelli and the two reorganized all of the classical and modern productions under "Hudson Shakespeare Company". For the next few years, the company produced Shakespeare and modern programs in Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey, Hoboken and became the first theatrical company to produce a live theater showing at Hoboken's Frank Sinatra Park with another production of ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' in 1998. In 2002, the company began touring to Hackensack, New Jersey, Hackensack, South Orange, New Jersey, South Orange, and as far away as Stratford, Connecticut. Main stay venues such as Kenilworth, New Jersey, Kenilworth and Fort Lee, New Jersey, Fort Lee followed in 2004 and 2007 respectively.
Lesser done works
Hudson Shakespeare Company has become known for tackling lesser known works and questionable works of the Bard. According to the artistic director, Jon Ciccarelli, "“Each season we try to produce at least one play that you’ve either never heard of or we put a different spin on known works of Shakespeare.” Lesser known plays tackled by the company: ''Edward III (play), Edward III'' (2016), ''Arden of Faversham'', (2015) Henry VIII (play), ''Henry VIII'' (2013), ''The History of Cardenio, Cardenio'' (based on ''Double Falsehood'') (2012), ''Timon of Athens
''Timon of Athens'' (''The Life of Tymon of Athens'') is a play written by William Shakespeare and probably also Thomas Middleton in about 1606. It was published in the ''First Folio'' in 1623. Timon lavishes his wealth on parasitic companion ...
'' (2011), ''Troilus and Cressida'' (2009), ''King John (play), King John'' (2008), ''The Two Noble Kinsmen'' (2007), ''Coriolanus'' (2004), ''Cymbeline'' (2004 & 2014), ''Pericles (play), Pericles'' (2006 & 2014), ''Titus Andronicus'' (2003 & 2013).
Performance venues
The following is a list of active venues where the company performs during an average run for a summer production.
Jersey City
Jersey City is the second-most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey, after Newark.
* Hamilton Park – Located at 9th Street and Jersey Avenue, this is the company's original performance space. HSC partners with th
Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association
and usually performs in front of the park's gazebo. In case of inclement weather, performances are held under the gazebo. * Van Vorst Park – Located in the downtown section of Jersey City at Montgomery Street and Jersey Avenue, next to the main branch of the Jersey City library. HSC partners with th
Friends of Van Vorst Park
Association. * Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery – At 435 Newark Avenue, the cemetery is the oldest in the city and contains remains dating back to before the revolutionary war. HSC partners with the al
volunteer group
to raise funds for the cemetery's upkeep.
Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs
which schedules, concerts, films and a semi-annual arts and music festival taking place in May and September.
Staib Park
– Located between Coles and Davis Avenue in Hackensack, New Jersey. HSC programs are produced in association with th
Hackensack Recreation Department
– Located at 39 Broadway in Hackensack, this converted church serves as the rain location for HSC shows and also as a year-round theater for other Hackensack companies.
Stratford Library
– Located at 2203 Main Street, Stratford, Connecticut, the library not only hosts HSC but offers speakers on Shakespeare subjects and staged readings by resident theater company -Square One Theatre
Kenilworth Library
– Located at 548 Boulevard in Kenilworth, New Jersey. HSC produces the "Bard on the Boulevard" program in association with the Friends of Kenilworth Library.
Fort Lee Historic Park, Monument Park at Palisade Avenue (Hudson Palisades), Palisade Avenue adjacent to the Fort Lee Museum. HSC produces programs in association with th
Fort Lee Film Commission
Long Pond Iron Works State Park
– Located at 1334 Greenwood Lake Turnpike in Hewitt, New Jersey, HSC produces programs in association with the Friends of Long Pond Iron Works in their historic village.
New York Midtown International Theatre Festival
for its production of ''The Sword Politik'' by Jon Crefeld. The company was noted in the New Cambridge edition (2012) of ''The Two Noble Kinsmen'' as one of several companies throughout the world that had produced the little done play. New Jersey City University professor, James Broderick, profiled several Hudson Shakespeare Company actors in his book ''Greatness Thrust Upon Them: Non-Professional Actors and Directors Discuss Their Encounters with Shakespeare''. (2014). The book chronicled the actors' first experiences with the Bard, the intimidation and overcoming these hurdles to fully embrace the work and how it shaped their semi-professional and professional careers In 2015, the company produced ''Arden of Faversham'' as the first live show for the newly opened Atlantic Street Park in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association
and usually performs in front of the park's gazebo. In case of inclement weather, performances are held under the gazebo. * Van Vorst Park – Located in the downtown section of Jersey City at Montgomery Street and Jersey Avenue, next to the main branch of the Jersey City library. HSC partners with th
Friends of Van Vorst Park
Association. * Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery – At 435 Newark Avenue, the cemetery is the oldest in the city and contains remains dating back to before the revolutionary war. HSC partners with the al
volunteer group
to raise funds for the cemetery's upkeep.
Hoboken, New Jersey, Hoboken
* Frank Sinatra Park – Located at 400 Frank Sinatra Drive, the venue is Hoboken's main venue for live music and theater acts. All HSC theater programs are produced with thHoboken Division of Cultural Affairs
which schedules, concerts, films and a semi-annual arts and music festival taking place in May and September.
Hackensack, New Jersey
Staib Park
– Located between Coles and Davis Avenue in Hackensack, New Jersey. HSC programs are produced in association with th
Hackensack Recreation Department
– Located at 39 Broadway in Hackensack, this converted church serves as the rain location for HSC shows and also as a year-round theater for other Hackensack companies.
Stratford, Connecticut
Stratford Library
– Located at 2203 Main Street, Stratford, Connecticut, the library not only hosts HSC but offers speakers on Shakespeare subjects and staged readings by resident theater company -Square One Theatre
Kenilworth, New Jersey
Kenilworth Library
– Located at 548 Boulevard in Kenilworth, New Jersey. HSC produces the "Bard on the Boulevard" program in association with the Friends of Kenilworth Library.
Westfield, New Jersey
* Westfield Memorial Library – Located at 550 E. Broad Street in Westfield, New JerseyFort Lee, New Jersey
Fort Lee Historic Park, Monument Park at Palisade Avenue (Hudson Palisades), Palisade Avenue adjacent to the Fort Lee Museum. HSC produces programs in association with thFort Lee Film Commission
West Milford, New Jersey
Long Pond Iron Works State Park
– Located at 1334 Greenwood Lake Turnpike in Hewitt, New Jersey, HSC produces programs in association with the Friends of Long Pond Iron Works in their historic village.
Recent productions
2016
* Richard II (play), ''Richard II'' By William Shakespeare, directed by Noelle Fair – June 8–25 * Edward III (play), ''Edward III'' By William Shakespeare and Thomas Kyd, directed by Jon Ciccarelli – July 12–30 * ''Henry IV, Part 1'' and ''Henry IV, Part 2'', directed by Jon Ciccarelli – August 12–272015
* ''The Winter's Tale'' By William Shakespeare, directed by Jon Ciccarelli – March 20 – April 12 * ''Love's Labours Lost'' By William Shakespeare, directed by Jon Ciccarelli – June 11–27 * ''Arden of Faversham'' attributed to William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Kyd, directed by Jon Ciccarelli – July 9–25 * ''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'' by William Shakespeare, directed by Jon Ciccarelli – August 5 to 222014
* ''Twelfth Night'' – By William Shakespeare, directed by James Masciovecchio – June 12–28 * ''Cymbeline'' – By William Shakespeare, directed by Rachel Alt – July 10–28 * ''Pericles, Prince of Tyre, Pericles'' – By William Shakespeare and George Wilkins, directed by Noelle Fair – August 7–23 * ''On the Waterfront'' By Budd Schulberg, directed by Gene Simakowicz – October 10–182013
* Inherit the Wind (play), ''Inherit the Wind'' – By Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (writer), Robert E. Lee, directed by Jon Ciccarelli – April 12–20 * Cyrano de Bergerac (play), ''Cyrano de Bergerac'' – By Edmond Rostand, Adapted by Jon Ciccarelli, directed by Gene Simakowicz – June 14–29 * Henry VIII (play), ''Henry VIII'' – By William Shakespeare and John Fletcher (playwright), John Fletcher, directed by Jon Ciccarelli – July 11–27 * ''Macbeth'' – By William Shakespeare, directed by Noelle Fair – August 8–24 * ''Titus Andronicus'' – By William Shakespeare and George Peele, directed by Jon Ciccarelli – October 18-November 3 * ''As You Like It'' (All female Schools Show) – By William Shakespeare, directed by Noelle Fair – October 29 – November 1Educational programs
Hudson Shakespeare Company conducts a yearly educational program that ranges from presentation of full Shakespeare shows to selected scene showcases to Shakespeare workshops and stage combat workshops. Shakespeare workshops have included: * Shakespeare Scene study – (Basic breaking down of text and staging monologues and scenes) * Early Modern Theater, Recreating Shakespeare's Theater (Using practices that were utilized during Shakespeare's day such as cue scripts) * Shakespeare on Film and On-Camera scene study (staging scenes using on-camera techniques) * Unarmed Stage Combat (Instruction on falls, punches, slaps and other stage combat not involving weaponry * Armed Stage Combat (Instruction in fighting with stage weaponry such as different types of swords) Among the educational institutions that the group has worked with are St. Mary High School (Jersey City, New Jersey), St. Mary's High School and Kenmare High School in Jersey City, Fort Lee High School, David Brearly Middle School (Kenilworth), David Schectner Middle School (West Orange), the Hackensack Cultural Arts Center/Hackensack High School and Misericordia University (Dallas, Pennsylvania).Notable mentions
In 1998, the company produced ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' as the first live theatrical performance held at the newly dedicated Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey. In 2005, company founder L. Robert Johnson was honored with the "Everyday Hero Award" by the newspaper ''The Jersey Journal''. These awards and related feature article chronicle everyday citizens of Hudson County with outstanding contributions to their communities. In Mr. Johnson's case it was for his founding of Hudson Shakespeare Company and promotion of Shakespeare in Hudson County along with spearheading several educational programs mentoring novice acting students. In 2009, the company was nominated for several awards including for stage fight choreography and costuming in thNew York Midtown International Theatre Festival
for its production of ''The Sword Politik'' by Jon Crefeld. The company was noted in the New Cambridge edition (2012) of ''The Two Noble Kinsmen'' as one of several companies throughout the world that had produced the little done play. New Jersey City University professor, James Broderick, profiled several Hudson Shakespeare Company actors in his book ''Greatness Thrust Upon Them: Non-Professional Actors and Directors Discuss Their Encounters with Shakespeare''. (2014). The book chronicled the actors' first experiences with the Bard, the intimidation and overcoming these hurdles to fully embrace the work and how it shaped their semi-professional and professional careers In 2015, the company produced ''Arden of Faversham'' as the first live show for the newly opened Atlantic Street Park in Hackensack, New Jersey.
References
{{authority control Shakespearean theatre companies Shakespeare festivals in the United States Culture of Jersey City, New Jersey Tourist attractions in Hudson County, New Jersey Tourist attractions in Bergen County, New Jersey Hoboken, New Jersey Stratford, Connecticut Fort Lee, New Jersey Hackensack, New Jersey Festivals in New Jersey Theatre companies in New Jersey