The Cupertino Courier

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Cupertino's a stage for free Shakespeare July 15

By HUGH BIGGAR

The Bard is back in Cupertino for the second year after a brief hiatus, and his stay could get extended in the future.

Free Shakespeare in the Park returns July 15, with a performance of The Tempest.

Cupertino's Shakespeare performances were eliminated in 2004 due to budget constraints.

Last year, though, the city allocated $15,000 to partially restore the performances. In the past, the city had allocated enough money for nine shows rather than the six performed in 2005.

This year there will also be six performances, but next summer the performances could return to the traditional nine.

"The council has approved $30,000 for next year's budget," said Carol Atwood, Cupertino's finance director. "They are looking for the Shakespeare Festival to run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as they have in the past."

This year the shows will be performed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Even so, it's good news for local Shakespeare enthusiasts.

"I'm thrilled it's part of what we do again," said resident Christine Kennedy, who rallied two years ago to have the city restore the program.

"I have raised my kids on Shakespeare through the festival and, through them, have become enamored myself," Kennedy said, adding she has attended every festival since about 1995. "It's great to be outside with the whole family too, and having a picnic."

The Tempest is of Shakespeare's last works, first performed in 1611. The play centers on a duke and his daughter stranded on a mysterious island, and is believed by scholars to describe Europeans' arrival in the Americas.

The free performances take place at Cupertino's Memorial Park Amphitheater, across Stevens Creek Boulevard from De Anza College. The plays run July 15-30 on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m.