Shakespeare on a farm

Shakespeare al fresco?
Drama and poetry, love and laughter, in the fields of Haycock Township?
A trail of performances winding from sculpture to sculpture with the audience in motion and in thrall, too? A home art gallery brimming with artworks – paintings, sketches, statues – all for sale at affordable prices – and wine tasting, an additional treat, for those so inclined?
That’s exactly what Dr. Julie Fagan has ordered up for Aug.13-14 at her sprawling Haycock Township farm. She’s calling the event the Lake Nockamixon Art Farm Getaway.
Actor Anne Lilly, Julie’s friend, who is also a Shakespeare scholar, a singer and online drama coach, will be the star performer.
For me, the matriarch in a family of English majors, who regularly mark the great bard’s birthday each April 23 with silly commemorative phone calls from and to New York and Texas, the whole idea was intriguing enough to try to find out more by making a call to New York City where Anne Lilly lives and acts.
A serious and dedicated classical actor, Anne’s credentials are as impressive as her stage and vocal performances. Anne holds theater degrees from the University of Washington and the University of Northern Colorado. She was trained by the late Sanford Meisner in method acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City and has worked with The Old Globe theater company and movies.
But, she says ironically, people tend to remember her for her performance in “The Revenge of the Teenage Vixens from Outer Space.” The film is a 1985 comedy-spoof that has become a cult classic airing regularly on cable television.
During Anne’s literally moving performances in Haycock she’ll be drawing on both her dramatic and her comedic talents. Her portrayals will range from the passion-filled love sonnets of Shakespeare to the depiction of some funny, quirky characters.

All this began when Anne visited her friend’s farm and, enchanted by the natural beauty and the sculptures dotting the expansive lawn, thought it would be fun to add drama, another of the seven lively arts to the mix.
“When I saw Julie’s farm and the sculptures I thought this would be a wonderful way to celebrate love and nature,” the actor said.
Julie agreed and the plan will come to fruition two weeks from now when Julie will open her home and offer her extensive art collection to visitors. The host, a professor emeritus at Rutgers University, where she taught biochemistry, is an active art collector, who has accumulated “a house full of artworks” she is offering for sale. She has been enchanted with the visual arts since her childhood and wants to share her collection.
Purchase prices will range “from $2 to several hundred. It’s a varied collection of art and decor for any budget,” she said, and, actually, a reflection of Anne’s performances, ranges from beautiful to quirky. She said she believes “No matter what your income, you are deserving to have lovely things in your home.”
The event will take place at the Fagan farm at 440 Top Rock Trail in Haycock. Anne Lilly’s performances are set for Friday, Aug. 13, at 6.p.m., and on the following day at 4 p.m. Julie’s home art gallery will open for viewing Friday at 2 p.m. and on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Desiato Vineyards Winery in the Woods, Pipersville, will conduct the wine tasting and offer a cash wine bar. A hot dog cart will also be on site.
kathrynfclark@verizon.net

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