Salem State gives us the Shakespeare "Willies"

Now here's what I'm talking about. Salem State college up here in Massachusetts is doing a whole selection of "Shakespeare-esque" plays this summer. Both pro- and anti- bard, the idea is to show people that this stuff is interesting and very very accessible once you get over your hangups that you have to be Harvard born and bred to even speak of it. The theme for the series is "Give Me the Willies".

Plays on the schedule include:

• Return to The Forbidden Planet, a takeoff on the 1950's movie which was based on The Tempest. "If you still don't understand it," says Peter Zachari, "Wait two minutes because they're gonna sing about it."
  
• I Hate Hamlet, where the ghost of John Barrymore gives advice to a struggling actor.
  
• The Taming of The Shrew. The actual, original play. Good deal. I like the idea of having this last. Build people to it.
  

So if you're in this neck of the woods and looking for something Shakespearey, but maybe a little lighter than Cymbeline that you can bring a friend to, check it out!