Freewill Shakespeare Festival returns to Hawrelak with two full productions
After five years away, the 37th edition opens with Much Ado About Nothing and Shakespeare-inspired musical Something Rotten! this summer.
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The Freewill Shakespeare Festival returns to its long-time home at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park this summer after a five-year absence, bringing two full productions to the newly renovated outdoor venue.
Artistic director Dave Horak said the return feels both exciting and daunting. "Being out of the park, we've gotten a bit smaller because we've had to," he said. "So to get back to the park and fill that big space is a big challenge."
The 37th festival opens Tuesday, June 16 with Much Ado About Nothing, a classic Shakespeare comedy running through June 28. Ian Leung directs the production featuring Freewill veterans including Nadien Chu, Ron Pederson, Troy O'Donnell, and John Ullyatt.
From July 1 to 12, the festival shifts gears with Something Rotten!, a Shakespeare-inspired musical directed by Horak, who taught musical theatre at MacEwan University for two decades. The show stars Edmonton artists Stephen Allred, Brian Christensen, Eli Yaschuk, and Melenie Reid.
Created by brothers Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick and British writer John O'Farrell, Something Rotten! debuted on Broadway in 2015 and earned 10 Tony Award nominations. Set in 1595, the musical follows two brothers — Nick and Nigel Bottom — as they compete with Shakespeare for public attention by inventing a new theatrical form involving singing and dancing. Horak credits partnerships with Edmonton Pops Orchestra and Shelley's Dance Company for making the musical possible.
The pandemic and park closure forced Freewill to scramble for venues for years, draining resources. A fundraiser last year aimed for $150,000 but brought in just under $59,000. Declining government funding, corporate support, and audience revenue combined with rising costs have squeezed the festival's budget.
"We set the bar really high, but it's definitely helped," Horak said of the fundraiser. "We're in a decent place, but looking at the future, it's a little bit scary."
Horak hopes Something Rotten! will attract new audiences beyond Freewill regulars, drawing fans of the Edmonton Pops and Shelley's Dance Company who may not typically attend Shakespeare.