America is about to see the debut of its most authentic recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe stage — not on Broadway, Los Angeles or La Jolla, but at Hofstra University this March where construction is currently underway at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on a historic Hofstra Globe Stage.
The Hofstra Globe Stage will be a working laboratory for students, faculty and guest artists.
Hofstra Drama Professor David Henderson, the director of this project, is the only college professor and set designer to have spent considerable time abroad in consultation with the archivists and design staff of Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
Hamlet is the headline event of Hofstra’s 68th Shakespeare Festival, one of the longest running Shakespeare festivals in the United States.
Other spring performances will also make use of the unique Globe setting.
Tickets are on sale now for these, and the Hofstra community may receive up to two free tickets to each production upon presentation of a valid HofstraCard.
Visit the Playhouse Box Office from Monday to Friday, 11 a.m.-3:45 p.m., or call 516-463-6644.
Tickets are also available for purchase online at hofstratickets.com.
Following are upcoming scheduled events:
68th Annual Hofstra Shakespeare Festival
March 2-12
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Directed by Christopher Dippel
As relevant today as it was over 400 years ago, Hamlet is a revenge tragedy like no other.
When Hamlet learns the truth about his father’s “foul and most unnatural” death, he reflects on his life — past, present and future; mortal and immortal — and provokes us to do the same.
Location: Toni and Martin Sosnoff Theater, John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Show times: Thursday, March, 2 at 7 p.m.; Friday, March 3 and 10 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 4 and 11 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, March 5 and 12 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $12; $10 senior citizen (over 65) or matriculated non-Hofstra student with ID.
Two free tickets with current faculty/staff/student HofstraCard.
There will be an opening night reception with food, drink and reminiscences from alumni of the Hofstra Shakespeare Festival at the Schaeffer Black Box Theater on Thursday, March 2, at 6 p.m., as well as a post-show talkback with cast and crew.
Tickets to the reception are $25.
March 9 and 11
This Bud of Love – A One Hour Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Maureen McFeely
Directed by Jean Dobie Giebel
This timeless story of star-crossed lovers, whose tragic end reconciles an age-old feud, is an excellent introduction to Shakespeare, suitable for young audiences.
Location: Toni and Martin Sosnoff Theater, John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Show times: Thursday, March 9 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 11 at 2 p.m. — special performance with The Collegium Musicum, a Hofstra music ensemble devoted to the performance of little-known music of the past, customarily called “Early Music.”
Tickets: $6. Two free tickets with current faculty/staff/student HofstraCard.
March 31-April 9
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) by The Reduced Shakespeare Company
Directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni
Three actors perform all 37 plays in 97 minutes.
Fast, funny and physical, this is a show made for people who love — and hate — the plays of William Shakespeare.
Location: Toni and Martin Sosnoff Theater, John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Show times: Friday, March 31 and April 7 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 1 and 8 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 2 and 9 at 2 p.m.; and Thursday, April 6 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $12; $10 senior citizen (over 65) or matriculated non-Hofstra student with ID.
Two free tickets with current faculty/staff/student HofstraCard.
