Shakespeare Festival Teams with Rep
One might dub as positive the recent announcement that Tennessee Repertory Theatre and Nashville Shakespeare Festival are joining forces to produce this summer's Shakespeare in the Park production of A Winter's Tale, running Aug. 11-Sept. 4. On the other hand, it might also serve as evidence of the creaky nature of all things theatrical in Nashville. The festival is bringing in the Rep's creative team of David Alford, René Copeland and Gary Hoff to mount its annual venture, this on the heels of the conspicuously quiet departure of former NSF artistic director Steve Cardamone in December.
Cardamone had mixed success in Nashville. His 2003 production of Romeo and Juliet incorporated interesting wrinkles into its staging, whereas 2004's Comedy of Errors went overboard with its beachside '50s setting, leaving good actors to get caught between the elevated language and kitschy shtick. Cardamone himself was a thespian with serious Shakespearean chops, and his performances in the company's educational touring program were top-flight.
According to NSF managing director Shellie Fossick, "The Nashville Shakespeare Festival does not currently have an artistic director and will not be making hiring decisions until after this summer's production." Thus leaving Alford and Co. artistic stewards of yet another Nashville theatrical institution. "This gives us time to find the right person to be our new artistic director," says festival board chairman Donald Capparella, who adds that the festival is "sound financially."
—Martin Brady
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