ALL PERFORMANCES AT 4:00 PM!

Saturday, August 16, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
> Directions & Map

Sunday, August 17, Isham Park, Manhattan
> Directions & Map

Saturday, August 23, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
> Directions & Map

Sunday, August 24, Astoria Park, Queens
> Directions & Map

Saturday, August 30, Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan
> Directions & Map

Sunday, August 31, East River Park, Manhattan
> Directions & Map

Saturday, September 6, Baisley Pond Park, Queens
> Directions & Map

Sunday, September 7, Riverside Park, Manhattan
> Directions & Map

(No Performance September 20)

Sunday, September 21, Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
> Directions & Map

Saturday, September 27, Astoria Park, Queens
PERFORMANCE CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER

Saturday, September 28, Queensbridge Park, L.I.C.
> Directions & Map

Director's Notes: Finding actors in New York City sounds like the easiest thing in the world, doesn't it? I mean, they're a dime a dozen, right? Now imagine spending two weeks sending emails and listings to every casting website available, and poring over approximately 100 pictures and resumes every night for two weeks, carefully selecting 70 actors to stand up and deliver their hearts and souls to you--in 90 seconds.

Not so easy.

Curious Frog looks for diverse faces, diverse backgrounds, diverse experience. Finding that perfect blend is never an easy task, and this year I decided to add another element: each actor needed to demonstrate ensemble skills. That is to say, I needed to find skilled actors who wanted to contribute ideas as well as receive them, acting them all out.

The rehearsal process involves actors memorizing lines, and where to go onstage when. They have a part to play and that is what they learn.

Except -- I decided to tweak that a little. Instead of having them all act out my pre-conceived ideas, I asked them to create their own show. Just 8 of them. Eight actors playing 21 roles. They were learning far more lines than usual, and they brainstormed up the U.S. Open tennis concept, and they wrote the music to Shakespeare's lyrics in "Hey Nonny Nonny", and they learned choreography from a woman who has worked with Twlya Tharp. They carry in and set up their own stage and hand props, and they came up with their own masks -- which means they had a contribution toward design as well.

So, what you are seeing is the work of 9 theatre artists (I contributed a little too!) and 3 designers who took a stab at creating a contemporary Shakespeare show that would appeal to all people in every section of New York City. If Curious Frog's mission is to put diversity in significant positions and roles on stage, we've certainly done that in many more ways this "match." Bring your blankets, some food and drink, lots of friends and family, and sit back and enjoy much ado...

Cast: Umi-Shakti Ausar-Sahu, Alvin Chan, Leif Evans, Aaron Novak, Topper Fabregas, Devin Moriarity, Robert Pham, Hannah Wolfe

Set Design: Damon Pelletier
Costume Design: Stef Maus
Choreographer: Marie Morrow

Pelham Bay Park | Saturday, August 16, 2008 | 4:00 PM

Performance is at the South Meadow Picnic Area (left of the dog run). Directions:

By Car: The Bruckner Expressway/New England Thruway has two park exits, "Country Club Road/Pelham Bay Park" and "Orchard Beach/City Island." So does the Hutchinson River Parkway at "Pelham Parkway East" and "Orchard Beach/City Island." Pelham Parkway serves as a cross-town route to the parke.

By Subway: Take the IRT Number 6 line to its last stop, Pelham Bay Park.

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks Pelham Bay Park Page


View Larger Map

Isham Park | Sunday, August 17, 2008 | 4:00 PM

Isham Park is located at Isham Street and Seaman Avenue in upper Manhattan. The nearest train stop is the 207th Street A Train (this is the last stop). The 1 to 215th Street is also close. Via car, the best route is the Henry Hudson/9A to the Riverside exit. .

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks Isham Parks Page


View Larger Map


Sunset Park | Saturday, August 23, 2008 | 4:00 PM

Directions:

By Car: Take the Battery Tunnel Exit 2- toward I-278/Brooklyn. Take Brooklyn Queens Expressway/Gowanus Expressway, then take the 39 Street exit- exit 23. Turn left onto 2nd Avenue. Turn left onto 44th Street/Cerefino Viera Boulevard. Continue to follow 44th Street 0.4 miles. End at 44th Street & 5th Avenue.

By Subway: Take R to 45 Street. Walk 1 block North on 4th Avenue. Turn right onto 44th Street.

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks Sunset Park Page


View Larger Map

Astoria Park | Sunday, August 24 & Saturday, September 27, 2008 | 4:00 PM

Astoria Park is located at 19th Street and Ditmars Boulevard in Queens. The nearest train stop is the Ditmars Blvd on the N/W (this is the last stop on the train). Via car, the best route is the Queensboro Bridge (if you are coming from Brooklyn, the Pulaski Bridge via McGuiness is also convenient). The performances will be nearest 19th Street & Ditmas Blvd.

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks Astoria Park Page


View Larger Map

Inwood Hill Park | Saturday, August 30, 2008 | 4:00 PM

Inwood Hill Park is located at 207th Street and Seaman Avenue in upper Manhattan. The nearest train stop is the 207th Street A Train (this is the last stop). Via car, the best route is the Henry Hudson/9A to the Riverside exit. The performances will at "The Peninsula", just past the Nature Center.

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks Inwood Hill Park Page


View Larger Map

East River Park | Sunday, August 31, 2008 | 4:00 PM

The East River Park runs from 14th Street down to Grand, at the East River. As it is on the other side of the FDR, driving and transit are sort of the same requirement. There are footbridges at 6th Street, Delancy (just south of the Williamsburgh Bridge) and at Cherry Street (via Corlears Hook Park). You can also cross at the terminus of Houston and the FDR. If you are crossing at Houston, take the V/F to 2nd Avenue. If crossing at Delancy, take the J/F to Essex/Delancey. The best parking for driving is likely under the Willamsburgh Bridge, so cross there.

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks East River Park Page


View Larger Map

Baisley Pond Park | Saturday, September 6, 2008 | 4:00 PM

You are going to want to drive to this one. Unless you are really good with MTA Subways and buses (and if that's the case, you don't need tips from us). But if you were thinking of coming to town just for this, it is very convenient to JFK!

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks Baisley Pond Park Page


View Larger Map

Riverside Park | Sunday, September 7, 2008 | 4:00 PM

Riverside Park runs up most of the Upper West Side. We will be near 1/2 79th Street station. There is also an exit from the Henry Hudson/9A at 79th Street.. The performances be on the lawn just north of 80th Street..

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks Riverside Park Page


View Larger Map

Fort Greene Park | Sunday, September 21, 2008 | 4:00 PM

Fort Greene Park is the heart of Brooklyn. You can take just about any train (even the G!): A/C to Lafayette Avenue, G to Fulton Street, D, M, N, Q, R to DeKalb Avenue or the 2, 3, 4, 5 to Atlantic Avenue or Nevins Street. Via car (from Manhattan), take either the Manhattan or Brooklyn Bridge. The performance is nearest Myrtle Avenue, on the lawn behind the parkhouse.

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks Fort Greene Park Page


View Larger Map

Queensbridge Park | Sunday, September 28, 2008 | 4:00 PM

Queensbridge Park is just north of the 59th Street Bridge, right at the river. Take the F train to 21st Street, and head West on 41st Ave. If you are driving, take the 59th Street bridge, and use the 21st Street exit, and take right on 21st Street to 40th Avenue (which is north of the bridge). .

> Get Customized Transit Directions from Hopstop
> Visit the NYC Parks Queensbridge Park Page


View Larger Map