NEWS |
124-99: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , October 25, 1999
This performance by the Waterloo Bridge Theatre Company will feature actors dressed in cowboy costumes riding hobbyhorses. Commuters, neighborhood residents and all those who love the Bard - or just like a good time - are welcome. Admission is free.
"We're delighted to welcome Shakespeare back to the bus terminal," said Cedrick Fulton, the bus terminal's General Manager. "Our customers loved last year's performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' and this should be even better. This tale of immortal lovers, Claudio and Hero and the battling Benedick and Beatrice, will be told in a totally new way. We hope people will drop by to enjoy the fun at 'Stratford-at-the-Bus-Terminal.' "
"Much Ado," one of Shakespeare's later comedies, is a rollicking romantic romp, featuring love, mischief and mistaken identity. This version takes place in the old western town of Messina, Italy. Cowboys from both sides of a range war return home. Some have love on their minds, some revenge.
"We appreciate the opportunity to perform again at this magnificent public facility," said J. Brandon Hill, Director of the Waterloo Bridge Theatre. "Shakespeare and his company used to perform at coaching inns, the forerunners of bus stations. We're honored to keep with this long-standing tradition."
The free, full-length presentation will be offered on the ground floor of the north wing of the bus terminal. The entrance is located on 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue. Seating will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
In recent years, the Port Authority has worked hard to add amenities and upgrade the terminal's retail environment for the benefit of the 180,000 travelers who use it each day. Restrooms have been improved and attendants have been added. Elevators and escalators are being upgraded. New lighting and signs brighten the terminal and classical music is regularly piped through the terminal's public address system.