May the Fourth be with you!

This month we’re heading back out to a long time ago and far, far away.

Emily Rome

The Wacky History of Restoration-Era Shakespeare Performance

A happy ending for “King Lear,” opera numbers for the “Macbeth” witches, and a mash-up of “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Measure for Measure.” No, these are not new pitches for a Hollywood movie but actual 17th-century adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. Come learn how political upheaval not long after Shakespeare’s death and the reopening of London theaters in 1660 have defined Shakespeare’s legacy.

Emily Rome is an educator and journalist currently based in Berkshire County. For over three years, she was the co-boss of Nerd Nite Los Angeles, until she ventured across the pond to earn a Shakespeare Studies MA in the Bard’s hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon. She’s written for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly, and American Theatre. As an educator, Emily has done work with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the Seattle Shakespeare Company, and Smithsonian Associates. She is host of the podcast Shakespeare’s Shadows, which will relaunch with new episodes in Fall 2023. Emily is an enthusiast of the Seattle Storm, iced coffee, time travel, and, of course, Shakespeare.

Rob Mancini

“Why Jizz Happened,” a look at the musical history of Star Wars and how it influenced the atmosphere of the movies.

Been a fan of Star Wars since I rented Return of the Jedi as a child because I saw Jim Henson was involved. Having been on the internet for the better part of my life, ai have waded into the Death Star trenches of online “discourse.” I know what a Wookie-Ookie is and have, for better or for worse, retained far too much trivia about the material. Rob Mancini

Doors open at 7pm, presentations start at 7:30. Donations are $5 suggested. Taken on site via QR code.

Come early to have dinner and drinks at Judds across the hall!