Riverside returns to Lower City Park this summer
RIVERSIDE IN THE PARK 2016
and 'The Fair Maid of the West' by Thomas Heywood
June 17-July 10 , 2015
"I'm thrilled that we will be back in the park this summer," said Riverside Theatre Artistic Director Sam Osheroff. "I think that Riverside Summer Theatre in the Park is an integral part of the Iowa City summer scene. There's nothing like watching a good play in the park on a beautiful summer's night. It's a unique experience."
Both plays follow epic journeys and battles by their main characters. "Pericles," which will open Riverside in the Park on June 17, is the epic tale of the prince of Tyre, who finds himself first fighting for the hand of his wife, and then searching for his lost daughter at sea.
"It's a lesser-known Shakespeare play, but it's got great action and moments of beautiful emotion balanced with humor," Osheroff says. "It's structured a bit like 'The Odyssey,' in that our hero travels to many different lands, meeting a variety of friends and enemies. It gives us a lot of possibilities for really inventive staging."
"The Fair Maid of the West" is an adventure romp set during the Anglo-Spanish War, featuring plenty of comedy and mistaken identities as it follows the adventures of maiden Bess Bridges.
Osheroff notes that, like "Pericles," it features sword fights and naval battles, but "in a completely different style."
"Also, it's got a female hero who's not just fair," he says. "She knows a thing or two about kicking butt."
Although Riverside Theatre produced its 2015 summer season indoors, Development Director Jennifer Holan says audience demand meant that a return to Lower City Park was critical for this year.
"The message we got from the community was pretty consistent: People missed seeing us in the park," Holan said. "It's something that people often highlight as unique about Iowa City, and it's a big part of who we are as an organization."
Dates & Times
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Friday, June 17, 8pm
Saturday, June 18, 8pm
Sunday, June 19, 7pm (Family Night)
Tuesday, June 28, 7pm (Family Night)
Wednesday, June 29, 8pm
Friday, July 1, 8pm
Saturday, July 2, 8pm
Sunday, July 3, 7pm
Thursday, July 7, 8 p.m.
The Fair Maid of the West
Friday, June 24, 8pm
Saturday, June 25, 8pm
Sunday, June 26, 7pm (Family Night)
Thursday, June 30, 8pm
Tuesday, July 5, 7 pm (Family Night)
Wednesday, July 6, 8pm
Friday, July 8, 8pm
Saturday, July 9, 8pm
Sunday, July 10, 7pm
Tickets
By phone at 319-338-7672, in person at the theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St, Iowa City, Mon-Fri, 1pm-5pm
or 1 hour before each show, or ONLINE*
*If you are using a coupon, voucher, or Thurs Student, Riverdog, Group or Blue Star discount, please call the Box Office, 319-338-7672 to order your tickets. Thank you!