While many art theaters and venues remain closed, the folks over at Axelrod Arts Center will be hosting the ‘Bard at Bell Works’ for three weekends starting April 11 and running through April 25, featuring a Shakespeare-inspired spring outdoor arts festival!
To celebrate William Shakespeare’s 457th birthday in April, Bell Works of Holmdel, NJ will host an outdoor arts festival, “The Bard at Bell Works.”
A part of the New Jersey Theater Alliance’s STAGES Festival, “The Bard at Bell Works” will run three weekends—beginning April 11 through 25—filled with dance, theatre, and music. The event was created by Gabriel Chajnik, Director and Choreographer of the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater (AXCBT), Monmouth County’s only professional ballet company, and showcases the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy (APAA), a new pre-professional program in-residence at Bell Works, both part of the Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC).
“We are very fortunate to be part of the Bell Works community,” said Chajnik. “For AXCBT and APAA, Bell Works is a fabulous opportunity. The Bell Works team has embraced this project and helped us create a compelling and safe guest experience in the midst of these crazy times.”
Elise Feldman, President of AXCBT, shared, “Zoomed-out theatre-lovers who yearn for live performances and the coming spring weather will enjoy ‘The Bard at Bell Works,’ which provides both in a socially distanced environment with all the excitement and drama Shakespeare’s name conjures.”
The festival offers three unique ways to experience Shakespeare’s immortal comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The first presentation of this whimsical, fairy-filled fable is AXCBT’s “Midsummer,” created by Chajnik. The second is a rollicking performance of the play by Madison, NJ-based The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey. A third way to enjoy “Midsummer” is a free, limited-seat screening of the 1935 Max Reinhart classic film, starring Mickey Rooney, James Cagney, and Olivia de Haviland.
“I’m excited to see what Gabriel and the fabulous Axelrod family have up their sleeves. I know it will be amazing and I can’t wait to see it come together,” said Paola Zamudio, Creative
Director of Bell Works. “Having this level of quality arts and culture at Bell Works is an essential element that helps us bring together our community, spread joy, and positive energy!”
AXCBT professional dancers and the students of APAA will also present “The Bard on Broadway”—a revue of songs and scenes from Shakespeare-themed shows and the plays that inspired them, such as “West Side Story” (“Romeo and Juliet”), “Kiss Me, Kate” (“Taming of the Shrew”), and “Something Rotten!” (“Hamlet”). This showcase was created during a twelve week session where pre-professional students were coached by APAA’s professional Broadway Staff including Brian O’Brien (“Chicago”), Ross Lekites (Disney’s “Frozen”), and Aaron Kaburick (Something Rotten!). “Festival Goers” can also sample Shakespeare-inspired food created by Bell Market, daily pop-up performances, and short educational talk-backs regarding all things Shakespeare. For the complete schedule and tickets/passes for “The Bard at Bell Works,” visit http://www.AxelrodArtsCenter.com. Tickets are offered for individual shows, multiple shows, and as a complete Festival package.
source: Axelrod Arts Center