Theater Director Enters Narnia's Wardrobe and Finds Roosevelt Island - Will Bring Outdoor Shakespeare To Eastwood Amphitheater This Summer With Much Ado About Nothing

 Eastwood Amphitheater Image From Island Shakespeare

A new Roosevelt Island theater group, Island Shakespeare, is coming to Roosevelt Island and they plan on performing Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing this summer at the Eastwood Amphitheater located behind 540 Main Street.  According to Island Shakespeare:

How many beautiful amphitheaters exist in the midst of the concrete jungle of New York City? Not too many, to be sure! But, Island Shakespeare’s got one and it’s absolutely lovely! Just minutes from the Upper East Side, among flowered parks with river views, Island Shakespeare performs the works of Shakespeare and others in one of the most beautiful hidden gems of all the city.

Island Shakespeare strives to deliver exceptional theatrical performances featuring the works of William Shakespeare, with a dynamic group of artists home-based at the Eastwood Amphitheatre. Our purpose is to develop a creative dialogue that attracts a diversity of voices from Roosevelt Island, New York, and from all over the world.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Kristi Artinian and Managing Director Thomas R. Kee, Island Shakespeare glows with creativity, life, and new possibility!...

Artistic Director Krisi Artinian adds:

... When I first moved to Roosevelt Island, I thought I’d come through the wardrobe into Narnia. I couldn’t believe my luck — to find this hidden delight right smack in the middle of New York City. “Is it really possible,” I wondered, “that such a green and gorgeous place could exist ten minutes away from midtown Manhattan? Is it possible that these parks and flowery riverside walkways, so lovely and well kept, are even closer to NYC’s epicenter than Central Park? How is this not common NY knowledge?” I was in love with my Island, and soon learned that Roosevelt Island was the gift that kept on giving.

Tom and I discovered the dynamic Eastwood Amphitheater on Roosevelt Island as we took a cool March stroll along the East River. The Amphitheater was nestled into the landscape of Roosevelt Island, and was just minutes from the Tram and subway. What could be better, we thought, than bringing Shakespeare to this gorgeous place so that others could share our experience of Roosevelt Island?!...

You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Shakespeare

The outdoor Eastwood Amphitheater will be a great spot to watch these performances. Last September the Faux-Real Theater Company performed Oedipus Rex and 7 Against Thebes in that space. Here's a video from an earlier performance at the Eastwood Amphitheater.

Welcome to Roosevelt Island Shakepeare!