Arts & Entertainment Community
Shakespeare (ish) takes the stage at Sehmel Homestead Park
It’s Shakespeare in the park, with some artistic license.
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Ghostlight Performing Arts gave its first live performance for a crowd of around 60 with a parody called “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) revised, (again)” at Sehmel Homestead Park on Aug. 10. And if you missed it, you’ll have another chance on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The play — which smushes all of Shakespeare’s plays together into 90 minutes — was written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield.
Rex Davison, founder of the nonprofit theater group, along with Lauren Foley, and Mykahla George gave the audience a frolicking, fast-paced show filled with wig changes, some wardrobe mishaps, and a light saber sword fight.
“You don’t have to know Shakespeare to see it,” Davison said. “I have never done Shakespeare, but I studied it. We wanted something small that we could produce cheaply, and everyone was telling us they wanted Shakespeare in the park in Gig Harbor. Pen Met said to make sure you tell people it’s not really Shakespeare. There’s a lot in it, but it’s more of a parody to make fun of it.”
The production includes some references to current events, pop culture and Gig Harbor, he said.
Rex Davison plays the part of Juliet, and Lauren Foley is Romeo in this scene during Ghostlight Performing Arts’ production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) revised, (again) at Sehmel Park on Aug. 10. Photo by Marsha Hart
Shakespeare, and yet not Shakespeare
Pen Met Parks has partnered with Ghostlight to provide summer camps for the past three years, and now the Shakespeare production at Sehmel.
Sehmel provides an ideal outdoor location. Its amphitheater has a flat, grassy area in front of the stage, a paved path, and concrete stairs that lead to terraced grass platforms. Guests may bring a chair or blanket and a picnic dinner if they wish.
“This partnership brings accessible live theater to the community,” said Robyn Readwin, director of administrative services for Pen Met Parks. “The performances offer educational value, especially for younger audiences, by exposing them to classic literature, and theater.”
But this isn’t a literal interpretation of Shakespeare. Instead, it’s a nod to the plays, with definite recognizable references, and some added comic relief.
“It’s not your regular play,” Davison said. “It’s chaotic, and fast, because we’re doing 36 plays in an hour and half. I know people who do not like Shakespeare and have seen it and loved it.”
Rex Davison, Mykahla George and Lauren Foley perform part of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in Ghostlight Performing Arts’ production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) revised, (again)” at Sehmel Park on Aug. 10. Photo by Marsha Hart
What is a Ghostlight?
Davison performed with Encore Theater and Paradise in Gig Harbor, both of which have closed.
A United States Air Force veteran, he earned a theater degree from the University of Washington after his service. He has an agent and was doing TV and film, but said he got pulled into community theater. His vision is to have a vibrant performing arts company that fulfills the needs of the Gig Harbor community.
Ghostlight is fundraising for a move to Gig Harbor. For now, they operate out of a space in Bremerton.
The company’s name is an homage to the ghostlight of the theater, he said. That’s a lamp that is left lit in the middle of the stage at the end of a performance. It stays on after everything is put away and the last person leaves the theater. It’s so the first person to arrive the next day isn’t coming into a dark theater, and it keeps the ghosts away.
“Every theater has a ghost,” he said.
Ghostlight Performing Arts receives grants from Tulalip Resort Casino and Snoqualmie Tribe, are partnered with Pen Met Parks, and are sponsored by Compass Real Estate.
Shakespeare in the Park
What: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) revised (again)
Where: The amphitheater at Sehmel Homestead Park at 10123 78th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Cost: Free, but donations are welcome.