MISSOULA ―

Celebrating 40 years of performances, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is once again coming to The University of Montana Oval to perform “The Twelfth Night” and “Hamlet” on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 27-28.

The troupe will perform “The Twelfth Night” at 6 p.m. on Monday and “Hamlet” at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Audiences are encouraged to arrive early with chairs, blankets, a picnic and friends and family to enjoy the evening. Both performances are free and open to the public.

The troupe expects to put on 76 performances in 59 communities in the region. The company features 10 professional actors who were selected by national auditions. They tour without technical assistance to bring live theatre to communities primarily in rural areas.

The company launched its 10-week tour with eight performances in Bozeman before hitting the road July 2. It will conclude the summer tour Sept. 9.

“This summer, audiences of more than 30,000 people will be treated to two wonderful performances that cover the broad perspective of Shakespeare’s genius as a playwright,” said Joel Jahnke, MSIP’s artistic director and a professor of theater at Montana State University.

Jahnke directs “Hamlet,” which he said is almost universally hailed as the greatest play ever written in the English language. Associate Artistic Director William Brown directs “The Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare’s comedy of wild infatuation and mistaken identities.

The UM performances are sponsored by the University Center. For more information, go to http://life.umt.edu/uc/ucsi/SIN/fun/shakespeare.php.  For more information on the plays and a complete tour schedule, visit the company’s website at http://www.shakespeareintheparks.org.

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