Shakespeare in the Parks in Roundup Monday, July 11th at 6:30 PM

Come laugh and cringe as Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) preforms Twelfth Night, or What You Will the Monday following the 4th of July. Named after the festival at which the play was first premiered for Queen Elizabeth I in 1601, there is perhaps no more rousing, amusing, or lyrical celebration of the transforming delight of love and the anguished follies that may arise. MSIP has set this play of illusions in a Cajun bayou, for a more modern look at the complex paths of love.

Twelfth Night exposes how unexpected human forces can change who people think they are. This pinnacle of Shakespeare's comedies with love-tormented characters who cannot connect provides both the forward momentum and the source of conflict in the plot.

Separated from her twin brother Sebastian in a shipwreck, Viola disguises herself as a boy, calls herself Cesario, and becomes a servant to the Duke Orsino. Orsino, in love with Olivia, sends, 'Cesario' to plead his case. And thus begins the confusion, the chaos and the comedy.

Shakespeare in the Parks is free and open to the public. Come to the Roundup City Park softball field -- 9th Avenue & 4th Street East -- Monday, July 11th at 6:30 PM to watch this lively comedy. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets and enjoy live theatre under summer skies. If the weather is inclement, the play will be performed at the Community Center, 700 3rd Street West.

MSIP performs two plays each summer. We usually bring the comedy to Roundup, but if you also want to see the tragedy, MSIP is performing King Lear in Billings on the 12th of July and in Laurel on the 14th.

Roundup Arts & Culture (A & C), a standing committee of the Musselshell Valley Community Foundation, brings you Shakespeare in the Park each summer and counts on the generous support of our local patrons.

A & C is looking for additional people for help bring Shakespeare in the Parks and other cultural events to Roundup each year. If you would like to help bring these events to Roundup, please contact Bill Milton at (406) 323-1771.