FIVE SHAKESPEARE PLAYS, A CLASS, A TOUR AND A MUSEUM IN FOUR DAYS

2014 GWCS FALL TRIP, STAUNTON, VA

The Hook:

So, here’s the deal.  I have been to hundreds of theatre events in my lifetime.  I have seen Shakespeare performed on stages from Los Angeles to London.  I am an aficionado.  I may not be the best judge, but I say this in all sincerity: The Blackfriars Playhouse at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton Virginia is the home of the finest productions of classical theatre that I have ever seen.  There.  I said it.

In addition to performing theatre arts at the highest possible level, it should also be noted that this is a traditional performance troupe.  That means that all five plays are performed by the SAME EIGHT PEOPLE!  It is a mind-boggling experience!  They also pick popular songs from the last fifty years that are reflective of the themes of the plays and then sing and play music LIVE before each show and at intermission!

We will stay at The Stonewall Jackson Hotel, a five star hotel (4.2 on Expedia.com), attached to the theatre, two blocks away from downtown Staunton.  Breakfast is included in the price, and the meals in town are reasonably priced! 

Furthermore, there is an amazing special treat this year.  We are going to leave on Thursday, October 2nd and stay in Staunton long enough to see ALL FIVE SHOWS!!!  On Thursday night we will see Pericles, Shakespeare’s gritty parlance into Greek tragedy.  On Friday we will tour The Frontier Culture Museum during the day and then see Macbeth at 7:30 pm.  On Saturday we will take in the matinee of Edward II and Saturday night’s show is A Comedy of Errors.  The Sunday matinee is Cyrano de Bergerac.  It is almost too much good fortune to run across in a single lifetime!

If you like live theatre, this is just about the coolest four day weekend you could possibly experience! 

With that in mind, I would like to introduce you to the 2014 GWCS Fall Trip Itinerary:  

Mr. Goldie

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Highlights of the 2014 trip not mentioned in the introductory letter above include:  Split Banana Ice Cream every evening after the theater and many great restaurants such as Mill Street Grill, Baja Bean, Cranberry's Eatery, Shenandoah Pizza and The Depot Grille.  We also had an incredible Backstage Tour of Blackfriars Playhouse and a class in Shakespeare Play Production including an opportunity to act out a dramatic death scene from Julius Caesar. 

2014 was the fourth consecutive GWCS Fall ShakespeareTrip to Staunton, VA.  Clearly, this is now a GWCS tradition!

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Enjoy this slide show of the 19 students and 9 adults who were hooked by Mr. Goldie's description and immersed themselves in good theater, good food and good fun with good friends on the GWCS Fall Trip to Staunton, Virginia from October 2-5, 2014: