The New Year is fast approaching! Before we welcome 2017, let’s take a moment to look back at what 2016 looked like at the Folger Theatre. From mischievous sprites to lost manuscripts, Austen dance parties to sheep-stealing hijinks, and everything in between, it’s been quite a year! A Midsummer Night’s Dream We began the year… Continue Reading »
Visitors to the Folger have long been used to seeing actors and musicians on stage demonstrating their talents through words, song, and movement. What’s less usual is an opportunity to learn how these artists prepare to go on, and rarer still is the chance to join in the theatrical magic, and that is exactly what was offered… Continue Reading »
Tending to the flock, stealing sheep, walking to Bethlehem, playing the music that underscores it all…the company of The Second Shepherds’ Play does this and more, night after night. It’s no wonder, then, that such a hectic schedule helps them work up quite an appetite! Luckily, musician Daniel Meyers has it covered. To celebrate the opening… Continue Reading »
There’s lights on the bushes, garlands festooning the balcony, and poinsettias in the lobby—it’s Christmas at the Folger Theatre for certain! Complimenting the festive spirit, The Second Shepherds’ Play continues performances, charming holiday audiences with its humor and heart in a story about three shepherds and their misadventures on the eve of the Nativity. With all of… Continue Reading »
We visited The Second Shepherds’ Play while they were rehearsing ‘Somerset Wassail,’ but that is only one of the beautiful, festive songs which appears in this production. Today, we hear from Folger Consort Co-Artistic Director Robert Eisenstein, and give you an advance listen to some of the tunes you will hear when The Second Shepherds’ Play takes the… Continue Reading »
But what exactly IS The Second Shepherds’ Play? Continuing with our countdown to the first performance on November 27th, here are some thoughts on the play from adaptor/director Mary Hall Surface, including why she chose to this story to adapt and what makes this medieval mystery play so intriguing to modern audiences. From Adaptor/Director Mary Hall Surface: Thumbing through a… Continue Reading »
