A Date With Shakespeare

Today Sam and I went to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. Sam got me tickets for my birthday. It's repertory season, so we were able to catch a double feature-- Julius Caesar and Much Ado About Nothing. We left around noon to get there in time for Julius Caesar at 2:00. Honestly, it was probably my least favorite play I've ever seen. It wasn't bad, but it's Julius Caesar. No matter how you slice it, it ends the same way every time. As a matter of fact, Sam and I each fell asleep momentarily during the show and how to be roused by the other. Awkward.

Much Ado didn't start until 7:00, so in the meantime, we had dinner at Carrabba's. After we loaded up on carbs, we took a little nap in the car (a sure sign of our aging), and then headed back to ASF. I was very excited about the show; it's my favorite Shakespearean play. This version was set in 1930s India, but with the original script. It was amazing! The actors who played Beatrice and Benedick were so talented; we were laughing out loud, despite the fact that Sam and I have seen Much Ado About Nothing about 100 times. It was nice to have a different interpretation of the play; when you can anticipate every line, it's good to have some surprises. The best surprise was a Bollywood dance during the wedding at the end of the play! Really cool. It was an awesome combination of two things I love!

It was a great day! I can't wait to see what next season at ASF has to offer. Meanwhile, Wicked is coming back to Birmingham this year. Sam and I are making plans to see that one again, and Les Miserables and My Fair Lady. Can't wait!