For two more weekends this summer, catch Shakespeare in the Park as the Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival presents Henry IV, Part I at the entrance of Towsley Canyon Park. The production is part of L.A. SummerFest at Rivendale—the first summer cultural arts festival serving North LA County—founded by CalArts alumnus David Stears (Theater BFA 89).
Several other CalArtians are involved with the staging of the Bard’s work in Santa Clarita, including Steven Burkholder (Theater BFA 99), Lynn McQuown (Theater 92), Mike Fracassi (Theater BFA 98), Mitchel Hampton (Theater MFA 13), Scott Hamby (Theater BFA 15), Pete Laughlin (Theater BFA 14), Ernie Long (Theater BFA 14), Kamran Abbassian (Theater BFA 16) and AJ Schemadovits-Norris (Theater BFA 15).
William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I, follows Henry Bolingbroke, now Henry IV, as he deals with increasingly dissenting allies and a son and heir to the throne who would much rather be drinking in taverns with un-princely companions. Sword fights, politics and comedic relief abound in this play, the second of Shakespeare’s tetralogy about the successive rule of Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V.
The upcoming performances (on July 20 and 21, and on Aug 3 and 4) are free, and audiences are encouraged to spread out on blankets and picnic.