San Antonio Botanical Garden and Magik Theater Present Shakespeare in the Park

Each June for the past five years the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and San Antonio's own Magik Theater combine efforts to produce a Shakespearean play under the stars. For 2009 the play is As You Like It.

The play will be staged June 3rd -6th at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. There is no charge for admission. The cost is underwritten through the generous sponsorship of Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation, The Brown Foundation, Inc., City of San Antonio Office of Cultural Affairs, The Botanical Society, San Antonio Parks & Recreation, Creative Civilization and San Antonio Express News.

Gates open at 6:30 pm and the play starts as 8 pm. Outside food is not permitted, concession stands are available. People are urged to bring chairs and blankets for seating.

The Magik Theater provides the talent for the romantic comedy and Shakespeare's words to transform the age old story of love, lost and found yet again. In this staging, Magik Theater brings Shakespeare's play into the years of the Depression. The play takes place between the woods and the big top of the circus. With the background of the gardens and the scenery designed by Magik Theater it will be easy to imagine and see Shakespeare's story.

Magik Theater is a professional theater company whose home theater is in Hemisphere Park. A community theater group with the mission to have both children and families experience theater productions has been a part of the arts community in San Antonio since 1994.

Rather than the often dull presentations many of us experienced with Shakespeare's plays, the re-energized staging by Magik Theater involves the audience with its current day staging. It is not unusual to hear people say they never knew Shakespeare was so interesting.

This truly is a family event, so bring the chairs, blankets and bug repellent. Mosquitoes are a problem as soon as the sun goes down. You'll find lots of good food, great entertainment and a chance to see a play under the stars at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.