Opening Of A Play For Children And Families July 5 - 22

Online, July 6, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Airmid Theatre's FREE Summer Theatre Festival

This Year's Plays include the World Premier of
A LITTLE BETRAYAL AMONG FRIENDS along with the family play
JACK AND THE PRINCESS WHO NEVER LAUGHED

This week the Airmid Theatre opens its 2011 FREE summer theatre festival. For the third year in a row, Airmid will return to Nissequogue River State Park (NRSP) for this amazing outdoor event. Bring your family, your chairs or blanket, and a picnic and join the fun! The festivals two productions run for 3 weeks each for a total of 30 performances starting on Tuesday, July 5 through Sunday, August 14, 2011, outdoors NRSP, 799 Saint Johnland Road in Kings Park, NY.

Following the success of previous festivals, the Airmid launches this year's festival with the interactive comedy, JACK AND THE PRINCESS WHO NEVER LAUGHED, by Kate Freiligrath-Kroeker. This play is geared specifically to children and families. In the play based on a familiar Russian fairy tale, Freiligrath-Kroeker takes cues from more traditional versions of the story of Jack and his hilarious escapades as he leaves home to seek his fortune.

Directed by ELLEN DISTASI, sets by JENNA LYONS, costumes by BROOKE COHEN and new music composed by KATHY ULRICH, the play features Airmid's Apprentice Acting company: SPENCER GOLD, NICOLE INTRAVIA, STEPHANIE ISRAELSON, RACHEL MIGLIORE, RORY ALLAN MEDITZ, SINEAD ATKINSON and CHELSIE TUTTLE.

Running time is approximately 55 minutes; with audience participation; for ages 5 and up. 14 Performances will be presented and can be seen weekdays only, Mondays through Fridays at 1:00 pm, opening Tuesday, July 5 and closing on Friday, July 22, 2011. (New York State Parks Parking fees apply prior to 4 pm) The play is staged outdoors on the green to the right just beyond the NRSP entrance. Parking is in the small gravel lot next to the performance area.

The second offering this summer, Airmid's second world premiere in just three seasons, is a 17th century comic romp. Airmid premieres its commissioned translation of the Spanish Golden Age play A LITTLE BETRAYAL AMONG FRIENDS by Caridad Svich freely adapted and translated from Maria de Zayas y Sotomayor's comedy La Traicion en la amistad Love & deception abound in this a wild romp where SHAKESPEARE meets "SEX IN THE CITY." Mature themes; Strong language.

Directed by TRICIA MCDERMOTT, sets by TYMBERLEY WHITESEL, costumes by BROOKE COHEN, featuring performances by returning company members ELYSE BEYER, DOMINIC DEGAETANO, ANTOINE JONES, with newcomers MICHAEL RINERE, STEPHANIE ISRAELSON and several guest artists joining the company courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association. Performances run Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7 pm, with Sunday matinees at 3 PM.

PERFORMANCE LOCATION and PARKING
Jack and the Princess Who Never Laughed will be performed on the NORTH SIDE of the Nissequogue River State Park grounds. This year the shows will be performed just beyond the park entrance's gate house off St. Johnland Road in the shaded glen on the east side of the road across from York Hall. Parking is in the gravel lot at the right hand side of the road below the maintenance buildings.

Audiences should provide their own seating and are encouraged to bring picnic lunches. Groups are welcome. Parking Fees will be required prior to 4pm. To inquire advanced parking permits for large vehicles please contact the New York State Parks Department Long Island Parks Regional Office at 631-669-1000 (625 Belmont Ave, West Babylon, NY11704)

ABOUT THE AIRMID SUMMER THEATRE FESTIVAL
2011 marks the third year for Airmid's free Summer Theatre Festival, which includes both A LITTLE BETRAYAL AMONG FRIENDS and the family series play JACK AND THE PRINCESS WHO NEVER LAUGHED. Audiences should provide their own seating, blankets on the grass, or chairs, and are encouraged to come to the park early to enjoy a picnic lunch or dinner in the park (not provided). Cancellation due to inclement weather will be announced 1/2 hour prior to performances. Call 631-704-2888 or check on Airmid's Upcoming Events page for details. Parking fees maybe required based on time of arrival in the park.

Airmid's Summer Theatre Festival has been funded in part by the Town of Smithtown, and Suffolk County under the auspices of the Office of Cultural Affairs, Steve Levy County Executive and administered by the Smithtown Arts Council. Funding support also provided by the Angela and Scott Jaggar Foundation for the Airmid family series, and Albrecht Viggiano Zureck & Company, Astoria Federal Saving Bank, JP Morgan Chase Bank, the Nissequogue River State Parks Foundation.

About Airmid Theatre Company
The Airmid Theatre Company, founded in 2000, is the only theatre in the world whose mission is to recover, collect, and produce classic works by women. With these plays at the heart of its mission, the company creates a safe home for women theatre artists, and ignites broad public recognition of the essential contribution women have made to the worlds of theatre, dramatic literature, and society. By establishing the history of playwriting by women and professionally producing their work, we open the door to broader discussion on women's roles today, and in the future. For more information about Airmid Theatre Company, please visit www.airmidtheatre.org.

Airmid Summer Theatre Festival presents

JACK AND THE PRINCESS WHO NEVER LAUGHED
by Kate Freiligrath-Kroeker
Directed by Ellen Distasi
Set Design by Jenna Lyons
Ages: 5 and up; Running time 55 minutes.
Opens Tuesday, July 5 through Friday, July 22, 2011
14 performances. Mondays - Fridays at 1 pm
Free admission. (NYSParks Parking fees apply.)
For Information Call: 631-704-2888 or [email protected]

A LITTLE BETRAYAL AMONG FRIENDS
by Caridad Svich
freely adapted and translated from Maria de Zayas y Sotomayor's comedy La Traicion en la amistad
Directed by Tricia McDermott
Set Design Tymberley Whitesel
Preview, Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Opens Wednesday, July 27 through August 14, 2011
15 performances. Wednesdays-Saturdays at 7:00pm, Sundays at 3:00pm
Free admission. (NYSParks Parking fees may apply.)
For Information Call: 631-704-2888 or [email protected]

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