Poet and playwright William Shakespeare left a legacy of works that continue to resonate across time. High school students continue to read his plays and so many movies have been based on his writing. Since 1987, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has been wowing audiences with their productions. They have performed noteworthy classics like Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet to Othello and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and everything in between.
This summer the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has three major productions: Henry V, Love’s Labor’s Lost and Penelope. Henry V and Love’s Labor’s Lost are being performed now through September. Performances of Penelope will run September 3 through 17.
For years, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival performed at Boscobel House and Gardens. However, the company was gifted land of 98-acres by philanthropist Chris Davis, and now has a permanent home in Garrison. Since 2022 they have been performing on these grounds. Plans are currently in the works for the building of a permanent open-air theatre, with a projected completion date of summer 2025.
I recently attended my first Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival performance to see Henry V. Not being familiar with this Shakespeare work, I was grateful that the company has a short preamble video on their site to familiarize the audience with the story. I have to admit that I also read through some online summaries to help give me more background.
The July 19th performance was one of the special Family Night events. I was happy to see children of all ages in attendance. While they may not fully understand the storyline, I think that the play is entertaining enough to keep their attention. Full disclosure, my husband and I may have gotten a little lost with the storyline too!
While I am a Broadway musical fan, I have not seen many plays. In my humble opinion, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival actors create a Broadway-caliber performance. There are 18 actors in Henry V that each play multiple roles throughout the performance. It was amazing to realize that these same performers are also performing Love’s Labor’s Lost during the same week as Henry V. I am not sure how the actors remembered all of the lines from this one play, let alone two different concurrent plays! There were no line flubs or pauses. It was a flawless performance!
I really enjoyed the modern interpretation the director took in adapting Henry V. The costumes, props and scenes made the play feel more present day, but the language still kept the Shakespearean form.
The open air theatre seats 479 – 533 guests, depending on the production. However, the theater in the round seating arrangement of Henry V gives it a more intimate feel. The performers interact with the audience throughout the play. Whether they sit/stand in the audience, give a handshake or even have a prop pickup or pass-off, there are many moments when you feel like you are part of the performance.
Before the performance, I highly recommend enjoying dinner on the property. There are plenty of groomed picnic areas with beautiful, scenic views. Bring a blanket or chairs and dine al fresco before the show. The parking lot is a short walk from the picnic areas and theatre. If you don’t want to make the trek back to your car, there is a storage area to keep your chairs and coolers during the performance.
If you are unable to or don’t want to pack your own picnic dinner, you can preorder a picnic meal from the onsite restaurant, Valley Restaurant. Preordered picnic dinners can be picked up at the concession tent and enjoyed on the grounds. Salads, grain bowls, sandwiches and even entrees are available.
We had the pleasure of dining at Valley Restaurant prior to the show. This onsite restaurant sits adjacent to the theatre. They have a $55 3-course prix-fixe menu. The first course is a vegetarian antipasto platter consisting of a variety of vegetables and dips and focaccia to dip them in.
For entrees my husband and I shared the black sea bass and the grilled eggplant. Dessert options are strawberry shortcake and the Jane’s ice cream flavor of the day. On our visit the flavors of the day were Coconut Almond Joy ice cream or raspberry sorbet.
Everything was fresh and delicious! Our server Maggie was very friendly and attentive. Visitors are welcome to dine at the restaurant any time it is open. However, your server will ask if you are attending the performance and will keep the meal progressing so you finish in time for the show. Maggie even offered us our coffee in to-go cups to drink at the show, since we were running short on time.
There is an outdoor concession stand that sells grab & go salads, sandwiches and more. They also serve beverages and have snacks like popcorn and ice cream that can be brought into the tent and enjoyed during the show.
I look forward to returning to the HV Shakespeare Festival later this summer. I already purchased my tickets for Love’s Labor’s Lost and am looking forward to the musical adaptation of the comedy.
I highly recommend seeing a performance at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival for an entertaining night out!
The Details:
HV Shakespeare Festival
2015 Route 9
Garrison, NY 10524
website
Dates:
Henry V
Select Dates now through -August 21
Love’s Labor Lost
Select dates now through-August 27
Penelope
Preview September 2, September 3-17
Parking:
Free onsite parking. There are a limited number of handicap parking spots near the Valley Restaurant.
The parking lot is a short walk from the theatre but they have a golf cart that will transport guests down to the theatre.
Tickets:
Prices vary by date and seat location. $10-$100/ticket. Senior and children pricing available for most seats.
Tips:
*Each night there is a short 6 PM tour of the grounds with details of the upcoming construction of the new, permanent theatre.
*The Theatre is open so it can get buggy. They have a table with bug spray available that guests can apply.
*Similarly, since it’s an outdoor performance you may want to bring a jacket for later in the evening when it tends to cool down.
*The grounds open at 4:30 PM for picnicking
*If you plan on dining at The Valley before the show, reservations between 6 PM and 6:15 PM or earlier are recommended.
*The tent opens at 7 PM for the 7:30 PM show.
*Henry V runs approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including a 10 minute intermission.
*Love’s Labor Lost runs approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, including a 10 minute intermission.
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