All the world’s a stage, but surely Salisbury House & Gardens is the sweetest setting for Shakespeare. As good luck would have it, Repertory Theater of Iowa (RTI) brings such stuff as dreams are made in two upcoming productions.
- “In the Words of Shakespeare” (May 8, 7:30 p.m.): Sample the Bard’s most famous plays at one fell swoop as RTI performs selected scenes throughout Salisbury House, the 1920s home-turned-history museum modeled after a 15th-century English manor.
- “Shakespeare on the Lawn: The Merchant of Venice” (June 12-15, 7:30 p.m.): Atop the south gardens (along the primrose path) with Salisbury House as a dramatic backdrop, RTI performs the play that gave us “love is blind” and “all that glitters is not gold.” Lawn chair seating provided, but you can bring a blanket to sit on, if you prefer.
To be or not to be (there)? Don’t be a knot-pated canker-blossom! Get advance tickets for each event ($25 adults; $22.50 Salisbury House members; $15 ages 9-18; and free for 8 and younger) online here or call 515-274-1777. (In case you missed it, Shakespeare’s 450th birthday was last week. Check out The New York Times’ resource page here. Huzzah!)
—Kellye Crocker
