Bozeman Magazine

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks will perform “As You Like It”and"Romeo and Juliet” during its upcoming 2014 tour of Montana, northern Wyoming, eastern Idaho, western North Dakota and eastern Washington this summer.

In a Montana twist, the comedy, “As You Like It,” will be set in Butte during the tumultuous years of the Copper Kings and the union conflicts. 

In its 42nd season, the troupe expects to perform 75 shows in 61 communities in the region. The company features 10 professional actors selected by national auditions. The actors bring quality live theatre to communities in primarily rural areas.  

The company launches its 10-week tour Wednesday, June 18 with eight performances at the Montana State University duck pond in Bozeman before hitting the road June 30. This season the company has added performances in Trout Creek and Belgrade. The tour will conclude at the MSU duck pond Sunday, Sept. 7 with a showing of “As You Like It.” 

“It is an immense honor to have the opportunity to serve the Rocky Mountain community in our continued tradition of providing excellence in theatre for the variety of rural communities across the region.” said Kevin Asselin, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks’ new executive artistic director.

Asselin has been with the company for 12 years as an actor, educator, fight choreographer, and director and will direct this year's production of "As You Like It." William Dickerson will direct the tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet.” This is Dickerson’s fourth season directing for the summer tour. 

All performances of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, with the exception of those at Bozeman's Sweet Pea Festival, are free. Audiences are encouraged to show up prior to curtain time with chairs, blankets, a picnic supper, friends and family to enjoy the evening.

For more information on the plays, the company and the summer schedule, visit the website http://www.shakespeareintheparks.org. 

June 18, Wednesday, Bozeman, As You Like It, 8 p.m., MSU Grove 

June 19, Thursday, Bozeman, As You Like It, 8 p.m., MSU Grove 

June 20, Friday, Bozeman, As You Like It, 8 p.m., MSU Grove 

June 21, Saturday, Bozeman, As You Like It, 8 p.m., MSU Grove 

June 25, Wednesday, Bozeman, Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m., MSU Grove 

June 26, Thursday, Bozeman, Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m., MSU Grove 

June 27, Friday, Bozeman, Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m., MSU Grove 

June 28, Saturday, Bozeman, Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m., MSU Grove 

June 30, Monday, Big Timber, Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m., Lions Club Park 

July 1, Tuesday, Big Sky, As You Like, 6:30 p.m., Town Center Park

July 2, Wednesday, Hobson-Utica, Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m., Utica Clubhouse Lawn

July 3, Thursday, Lewistown, As You Like It, 6:30 p.m., Elks Clubhouse at the Pine Meadows Golf Course

July 4, Friday, Havre, Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m., Pepin Park 

July 5, Saturday, Sidney, As You Like It, 6:30 p.m., Veteran’s Park 

July 6, Sunday, Wolf Point, As You Like It, 6:30 p.m., Faith Home Park 

July 7, Monday, Malta, As You Like It, 6 p.m., PC Courthouse Lawn 

July 8, Tuesday, Glendive, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Makoshika Amphitheater

July 9, Wednesday, Beach, N.D., As You Like It, 6 p.m., Beach Swimming Pool Park

July 10, Thursday, Miles City, Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m., Pumping Plant Park

July 11, Friday, Forsyth, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Rosebud County Courthouse East Lawn 

July 12, Saturday, Hardin, As You Like It, 6 p.m., South Park, corner of Lewis and Division 

July 13, Sunday, Cooke City, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Silver Gate Park 

July 14, Monday, Chico Hot Springs, As You Like It, 6:30 p.m., Main Lawn

July 15, Tuesday, Red Lodge, Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m., Lions Park 

July 17, Thursday, Worland, Wyo., Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m., Sanders Park 

July 18, Friday, Sheridan, Wyo., As You Like It, 6 p.m., Kendrick Park 

July 19, Saturday, Birney, Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m., Poker Jim Butte 

July 20, Sunday, Colstrip, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Rye Park Pavilion

July 21, Monday, Powell, Wyo., Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m., Washington Park 

July 22, Tuesday, Cody, Wyo., As You Like It, 6:30 p.m., Canal Park 

July 23, Wednesday, Absarokee, As You Like It, 6:30 p.m., Fishtail Family Park 

July 24, Thursday, Billings, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Pioneer Park 

July 25, Friday, Billings, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Pioneer Park 

July 26, Saturday, Gardiner, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Arch Park 

July 27, Sunday, Dillon, As You Like It, 6 p.m., JayCee Park 

July 28, Monday, Thayne, Wyo., As You Like It, 6:30 p.m., Soccer Field

July 29, Tuesday, Driggs, Idaho, Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m., Driggs City Center Plaza 

July 30, Wednesday, Pocatello, Idaho, As You Like It, 6:30 p.m. Idaho State University Quad 

July 31, Thursday, Pocatello, Idaho, Romeo and Juliet, 6:30 p.m. Idaho State University Quad

Aug. 1, Friday, Sweet Pea Festival, Bozeman, Romeo and Juliet, 4:30 p.m., Lindley Park 

*Admission is charged to attend the Sweet Pea Festival 

Aug. 3, Sunday, Sweet Pea Festival, Bozeman, as You Like It, 4:30 p.m., Lindley Park

*Admission is charged to attend the Sweet Pea Festival 

Aug. 4, Monday, Philipsburg, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Winninghoff Park

Aug. 5, Tuesday, Kalispell, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Flathead Valley Community College 

Aug. 6, Wednesday, Cut Bank, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Cut Bank City Park 

Aug. 7, Thursday, Ft. Benton, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Ft. Benton City Park 

Aug. 8, Friday, Great Falls, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., University of Great Falls 

Aug. 9, Saturday, Great Falls, As You Like It, 6 p.m., University of Great Falls

Aug. 10, Sunday, Anaconda, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Washoe Park 

Aug. 11, Monday, Helena, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Pioneer Park next to the Lewis and Clark Library 

Aug. 12, Tuesday, Helena, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Pioneer Park next to the Lewis and Clark Library

Aug. 13, Wednesday, Belgrade, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Lewis and Clark Park

Aug. 14, Thursday, Superior, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Mineral County Fairgrounds near the school

Aug. 15, Friday, Plains, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Sanders County Fairgrounds 

Aug. 16, Saturday, Trout Creek, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Trout Creek Park 

Aug. 17, Sunday, Libby, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Libby Elementary School Amphitheater 

Aug. 18, Monday, Eureka, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Historic Village 

Aug. 19, Tuesday, Hamilton, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Sapphire Lutheran Homes 

Aug. 20, Wednesday: Boulder, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Fairgrounds 

Aug. 22, Friday, Seeley Lake, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Double Arrow Lodge Grounds 

Aug. 23, Saturday, Liberty Lake, Wash., As You Like It, 5 p.m., Pavilion Park 

Aug. 24, Sunday, Charlo, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Palmer Park

Aug. 25, Monday, Missoula, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., University of Montana Oval 

Aug. 26, Tuesday, Missoula, As You Like It, 6 p.m., University of Montana Oval 

Aug. 27, Wednesday, Deer Lodge, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Old Montana Prison Yard 

Aug. 28, Thursday, Salmon, Idaho, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Sacajawea Center Amphitheater

Aug. 29, Friday, Butte, As You Like It, 6 p.m., Original Mine Yard 

Aug. 30, Saturday, Manhattan, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Altenbrand Park

Aug. 31, Sunday, Townsend, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Heritage Park

Sept. 1, Monday, Laurel, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Laurel Practice Football Field 

Sept. 2, Tuesday, Columbus, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Heritage Park 

Sept. 3, Wednesday, Roundup, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Roundup City Park 

Sept. 4, Thursday, Whitehall, As You Like It, 6 p.m., 206 Yellowstone Road

Sept. 5, Friday, Livingston, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Shane Center 

Sept. 6, Saturday, West Yellowstone, Romeo and Juliet, 6 p.m., Town Park 

Sept. 7, Sunday, Bozeman, As You Like It, 1 p.m., MSU-Grove