Photos: Shakespeare by the Sea season opens in Long Beach for the first time ever

For the first time in its 27-year history, Shakespeare by the Sea is opening its season in Long Beach, choosing the Recreation Park Bandshell to kick off this year’s tour.

The 2024 season will feature 25 free performances of “Cardenio: Double Falsehood” (12) and “Henry IV” (13) in 16 cities. The troupe has two soft opening shows of “Cardenio” at the Bandshell tonight (June 20) and tomorrow at 8 p.m., with the big opening event — Martinelli’s toast included — taking place Saturday at 8 p.m.

“We’re excited,” Co-Artistic Director Stephanie Coltrin, who is in her 15th season with the group, said.

Brandon Richardson was laid off by the Long Beach Post on March 22. Thank him for continuing to cover Long Beach without pay.

Shakespeare by the Sea began in 1998 as a thesis project from Cal State Long Beach student Lisa Coffi. The event was meant to revitalize the bandshell in San Pedro, which it has. Now, Coltrin said, it’s time to revitalize another.

When organizers were seeking a new opening venue, County Supervisor Janice Hahn, a long-time supporter and sponsor of the series, connected them with Friends of Recreation Park Bandshell, Coltrin said. She looked them up and was instantly sold on the group’s work to activate the community space.

“We have the same mission,” Coltrin said, adding that the purpose of Shakespeare by the Sea is to make theater accessible to the general public with no financial barrier to entry.

“Cardenio” is a lost play performed by the King’s Men in 1613, which is attributed to William Shakespeare and John Fletcher. The play follows Julio, a young, Spanish nobleman, who is in love with Leonora. Leonora’s father, however, prefers Henriquez for his daughter. Comedy ensues. The play is adapted and directed by Jonathan Fisher.

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This version of “Henry IV” includes both parts, adapted and directed by Coltrin. The play is a dramatization of part of the reign of King Henry IV of England beginning with the Battle of Homildon Hill in 1402.

“Shakespeare is universal. It survived for almost 500 years for a reason,” Coltrin said. “In the canon of Shakespeare’s plays, he describes every human experience. He was the Steven Spielberg of his day.”

Catch Shakespeare by the Sea this season (all shows begin at 7 p.m., except the Long Beach performances, which begin at 8 p.m.):

• June 20, 21 and 22 – “Cardenio: Double Falsehood,” Rec Park Bandshell

• June 28 and 29 – “Henry IV,” Rec Park Bandshell

• July 5 – “Henry IV,” Rush Park, 3021 Blume Dr., Rossmoor

• July 6 – “Cardenio,” Rush Park, 3021 Blume Dr., Rossmoor

• July 7 – “Henry IV,” Hesse Park, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes

• July 10 – “Cardenio,” Valley Park, 2521 Valley Dr, Hermosa Beach

  

• July 11 – “Henry IV,” Valley Park, 2521 Valley Dr, Hermosa Beach

• July 12 – “Cardenio,” Wilmington Waterfront, 301 S. Avalon Blvd.

• July 13 – “Cardenio,” Dominguez Park, 200 Flager Ln. Redondo Beach

• July 14 – “Henry IV,” Veterans Park, 309 Esplanade Redondo Beach

• July 18 – “Cardenio,” Polliwog Park, 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach

• July 19 – “Henry IV,” Polliwog Park, 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach

• July 20 – “Henry IV,” Garfield Park, 1000 Park Ave, South Pasadena

  

• July 21 – “Cardenio,” Garfield Park, 1000 Park Ave, South Pasadena

• July 25 – “Henry IV,” Roxbury Park, 471 Roxbury Dr., Beverly Hills

• July 26 – “Henry IV,” Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo

• July 27 – “Cardenio,” Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance

• July 28 – “Cardenio,” Exposition Park, 700 Exposition Park Dr. Los Angeles ($18 parking)

• July 31 – “Henry IV,” Birch Park, 210 N. Birch St. Santa Ana

• Aug. 1 – “Henry IV,” Soka University’s Campus Green, 1 University Dr, Aliso Viejo

• Aug. 2 – “Cardenio,” 22nd Street Park, 140 W. 22nd Street, San Pedro

• Aug. 3 – “Henry IV,” 22nd Street Park, 140 W. 22nd Street, San Pedro