Under the banner of the American Theatre Organization’s Fall of Freedom, the Dunes Arts Foundation will present a concert reading of Tom Stoppard’s “Dogg’s Hamlet” and “Cahoot’s Macbeth” on Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring Street, Michigan City, Ind. Admission is at the door and pay-what-you-can (with a suggested donation of $5).
With Stoppard’s signature brilliance and humor, this inventive double bill explores how language can liberate or imprison, how art speaks truth to power, and how laughter itself can be a form of rebellion. Expect quick changes, sharp comedy, and a thought-provoking finale that will leave audiences talking long after the curtain falls.
In “Dogg’s Hamlet,” students perform Shakespeare — with a twist: they’re speaking ‘Dogg,’ a language that sounds like English but isn’t. As the audience catches on, chaos and comedy erupt, revealing the strange and slippery power of words to both connect and confuse. Then, in “Cahoot’s Macbeth,” Stoppard shifts from farce to fearless resistance. A group of actors stages a secret performance of “Macbeth” in a private home under the eyes of an oppressive regime operative. Theater becomes an act of courage — and Shakespeare’s lines blaze with new, urgent meaning.
Cast members include Region actors and actors from the Chicago premiere of the play presented by the Commons Theatre in 1985.
ABOUT DUNES ARTS FOUNDATION
The Dunes Arts Foundation, which operates Dunes Arts Summer Theatre and Education Programs, was incorporated in the State of Indiana in 1951 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Nestled within the woodsy dunes of Michiana Shores, Dunes Summer Theatre is located at about a half mile from the Indiana Dunes and the Lake Michigan shore at 288 Shady Oak Dr, Michigan City, Ind. As northwest Indiana’s longest-running summer theater program, Dunes Summer Theatre has provided professional theater productions for more than seven decades. This one-of-a-kind experience is a highlight of Harbor Country’s cultural fabric, promoting community spirit and embracing inclusivity, diversity and accessibility in all areas of operations. For more information, visit www.dunesARTS.org or call 219-879-7509. Follow along on social media @dunesartsfoundation.
