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Shakespeare & Beyond

Celebrating Shakespeare at 400

The Wonder of Will Live

The Wonder of Will Live

Watch the live broadcast of The Wonder of Will Live on Saturday, April 23, at noon EDT, on C-SPAN2’s Book TV or streaming online. Hear Shakespeare stories from Kal Penn, Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, NASA’s chief scientist, and other featured guests. The live event, held in the beautiful Paster Reading Room at the Folger, will be followed by a national call-in show with Book TV’s Peter Slen.

Shakespeare Lives

The BBC and the British Council present a special broadcast on April 22 and 23, taking viewers to New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Also streaming online: Silent Shakespeare with the British Film Institute, Shakespeare ballet and opera from the Royal Opera House, contemporary songwriters responding to Shakespeare’s poetry, the BBC Concert Orchestra performing classic scores from Shakespeare films, and a special student performance inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Shakespeare Day Live will culminate with the international online release of the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Richard II starring David Tennant.

Shakespeare 400 Chicago

Chicago is pulling out all the stops to celebrate Shakespeare on April 23, with a fireworks display over Lake Michigan set to a Shakespeare-inspired score. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will perform Verdi’s Falstaff, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater will host a special event with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and actor Alan Cumming.

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