"Chasing Shakespeare"
Play, “Chasing Shakespeare”. Feb. 5-28, 2021 - Fri/Sat at 8pm., Sun. at 3pm
Dr. Robert Bellamy, an academic heavy-weight, but mediocre playwright is hired to take over as head of the Sojourner Truth University Drama Department, located in Atlanta, GA. It is a traditionally African-American, all-girls college that has recently become co-educational. He is a traditionalist and classicist and fundamentally opposed to feminist and minority theatre for which the drama department is known. He is a devotee of Yale academic Harold Bloom, a famous literary critic. He is against political correctness for political correctness’ sake. He wants to create a theatrical Romantic Movement and plays with Shakespearean traits and values. He also deeply craves success. He is assisted by his loyal wife, Katia, and his coconspirator in the takeover, John Kane. Robert and John plan to fund and run an Arts Center at the university that will bring it prestige. He is opposed by displaced Department Head Dr. Julia Hernandez, an ardent feminist traumatized by sexual harassment by an idolized teacher in her undergraduate years, and Kyle Bushnell, a faculty member. But all is not well in the Bellamy household, as Robert’s propensities towards workaholism, frustrated romanticism, and failing marriage display the cracks in his life. The takeover of the theatre department does not go well and his latest play seems headed for failure. He becomes obsessed with a student called Olivia. She inspires him to write a successful play and become a better person, one that really represents heroic Shakespearean values. $20.00 General, $17.00 for seniors, students, military, disabled, and Groups of 10 or more attending the same performance. In an effort to protect everyone’s safety, temperature checks, hand sanitizing, masks, and social distancing will be required of cast, crew, staff, and patrons before entering the theatre. Additional parking is allowed across the street in the Calvary Lutheran Church south side parking lot. (Church on 54th.) The big church in the middle of the block with the tall steeple.