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"Silvia refuses Valentine's letter," by Henry James Haley, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Thanks to Gazebo Players of Medfield for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.
BFFs Vinny and Paul are saying their goodbyes. Vinny is going off to see the world, while Paul stays at home with his girlfriend Julia. Vinny falls in love with Silvia during his travels, and when Paul comes to visit Vinny, he immediately forgets all about Julia and falls for Silvia too. Tension and hilarity ensue. Does this sound like a typical love triangle romantic comedy? Well, it is, except it was written in 1591 by William Shakespeare. Change Vinny’s name to Valentine and Paul’s name to Proteus, and you’re ready for the Gazebo Players of Medfield’s production of Two Gentlemen of Verona.
The Gazebo Players have been performing Shakespeare in the parks of Medfield and surrounding towns since 2002. Two Gentlemen of Verona is the 21st of Shakespeare’s 37 plays they’ve tackled. Director Steve Small has chosen to set the play in the Doo Wop era of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Shakespeare’s characters will be portrayed as bobby-soxers, nerds, beatniks, and greasers. There will be lots of laughs, lots of Doo Wop music, and of course, a happy ending.
Westwood resident Grace Walls is a cast member playing the role of Panthino. In some scenes, Grace also plays an outlaw and a musician.
Performances of Two Gentlemen of Verona start at 5:00 PM and are free to the public. Patrons are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and picnics to the outdoor venues. Medfield performances are on July 20, 21, 27, and 28 at the Bellforge Arts Center, 45 Hospital Road. In case of rain, the Medfield performances will be moved to the United Church of Christ, 496 Main Street. Walpole performances are on August 3 and 4 at the Music Court in Bird Park, 135 Polley Lane. In case of rain, the Walpole performances will be moved to the Footlighters Playhouse, 2 Scout Road.
This production is sponsored in part by the Medfield and Walpole Cultural Councils, both local agencies, which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
