The Bard is back in the Hudson Valley. At least, his spirit is. Thanks to Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, anyone can experience the poetic works of one of English literature’s greatest icons, not to mention a host of original works and literary adaptations that run the gamut from Euripedes to Agatha Christie.
After hosting its final season at its longtime home at Boscobel House and Gardens in 2021 and kicking off its first season at its permanent home in Garrison in 2022, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF) is ready to welcome visitors with a stellar lineup once more in 2024. For those already familiar with HVSF, the theater tent is always a welcome sight, since the fest continues to use its preexisting one while it works on plans for a permanent, open-air venue anticipated for summer 2026.
As for the season, which runs from June 11 to September 2, it will be one in which theatergoers can revel in Shakespearean-style works – and those of other talented playwrights – like never before. In anticipation of the opening, here’s what to know about the shows:
By The Queen
June to August
First premiered at Trinity Repertory in Providence, RI, last year, By The Queen delivers a sharp and comical take on Shakespeare’s War of the Roses. The play follows Queen Margaret as she perseveres amid the struggles that surround her and journeys from princess of France to Queen of England to…well, you’ll just have to see the play to find out what happens, won’t you?
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
June to September
Calling all Agatha Christie lovers! This world premiere is an adaptation of the acclaimed author’s 1926 book by the same name and one you won’t want to miss. The tale centers around, as the title suggests, a shocking murder that sends a quiet village into a tizzy. Fortunately, Christie’s famed mustache-clad detective (ahem, Poirot, is that you?) is on the case and ready to turn over clues to piece together exactly whodunnit.
Medea: Re-Versed
June to September
Crafted by HVSF alum Luis Quintero, this world premiere adapts Euripedes’ play into a format only Hudson Valley Shakespeare Fest could imagine. Viewers will delight over the hip-hop performance laden with battle rap verse that conveys themes of family, power, and revenge, as well as the struggle for justice.
For the full schedule of performances and to purchase tickets, visit the Festival’s website or call 845.265.9575.
