“Sounds & Sweet Airs" at the Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch -- May 13
Tuesday, May 13, 6 p.m.
Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30th Street, Rock Island IL
A special presentation by the Genesius Theatre Guild of the Quad Cities in preparation for its summer season at Rock Island's Lincoln Park, the Shakespearean celebration Songs & Sweet Airs will enjoy a live presentation at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch on May 13, this reader's-theatre performance a supercut of some of the Bard's greatest writing that boasts scenes and monologues from many of his plays.
Widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist, Shakespeare is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and additional verses, some of famously uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Born in 1564, Shakespeare was raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49, he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he passed away three years later.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories (including Genesius Guild's recent Julius Caesar) and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, Shakespeare also wrote tragicomedies such as The Winter's Tale and The Tempest, and occasionally collaborated with other playwrights.
Genesius Guild, the venerated community-theatre organization located in Rock Island, stages productions in Lincoln Park every summer, with performances on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. Founded in 1956, the group performs Greek drama, Greek comedy, and the works of Shakespeare every weekend throughout the summer months, with all of Guild's productions offered with free admission (though donations are encouraged and appreciated). This year, Genesius Guild's season includes: Sophocles' masked Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex (June 7 - 15), Shakespeare's romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing (June 21 - 29), the Bard's historic drama Antony & Cleopatra (July 12 - 20), and an updated take on Aristophanes' classical Greek comedy Peace (July 26 - August 3).
Genesius Guild talents present Songs & Sweet Airs at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch on May 13, participation in the 6 p.m. theatrical program is free, and more information is available by calling (309)732-7323 and visiting RockIslandLibrary.org.
