We recently joined the fun at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey outdoor performance of The Tempest. Every summer one of the productions is performed at the outdoor Greek Theatre on the campus of St. Elizabeth’s. It was fabulous! The weather was great and the crowd was friendly. During the performance there was even some adlib with the cast when a plane flew over. The Bard was honored well at the performance we attended. It was a real treat to watch, and the performers used the whole environment, at times running up and down the aisle or jumping out from areas just off the open center.
It’s a festive atmosphere and picnicking abounds. There were people having dinner on the grass or playing Frisbee. There is a small snack bar where you can purchase a drink or snack. Many people brought stadium seats and blankets along with pizzas or take out from the local restaurants.
The theater seating is terraced rows made out of grass and stones in a half moon layout around an intimate stage. The outdoor experience on a cool summer night is unbeatable. Children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Shakespeare Theatre productions continue inside at their home on the Drew University campus through January 2010.
Posted by:
Lois Olmstead
One of the real treasures of Madison is on the Drew University campus; The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
The theater is small, intimate, and has great parking. The performances I have seen have been wonderful. A favorite summer treat is a performance on the outdoor stage. This year it is: The Tempest running from June 24-August 2, 2009. I like the fact that they have teamed up with another college right next door to Madison: College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown. The College of Saint E’s campus has a Greek Theater. It is an outside amphitheater located on campus. If you are lucky enough to get a great night in terms of weather, you are in for a treat!
Congratulations to all the graduates wrapping up either High School or College! Congratulations to the pre-schoolers who will be new kindergarteners in the fall and are poised for the start of a very exciting adventure! As Dr. Seuss would say in one of my favorite books, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
“So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way! “
Until next time…
Posted by:Lois Olmstead
Madison is a lovely town comprised of approximately 4.2 square miles with a population of about 16,000. Drew University and Farleigh Dickinson University are the centerpieces of the town. There is a vibrancy to downtown, but it isn’t just a college town.
The picturesque Main Street is a thriving merchant area with many interesting shops and
restaurants that was featured in the New York Times Sunday feature, “Living In” on June 15, 2008. One of my favorite shops in town is the pet store. It’s not a big place, but the caring staff loves helping people with their pets. I was really impressed that they made an exception on short notice for a family by arranging to take in their tropical bird for the duration of a power outage back in January. I thought that was really nice and above and beyond.
If you visit the Chamber of Commerce website at www.rosenet.org, you will find a wealth of information on the history, government, and downtown area of Madison.
Future blogs will discuss items of interest about living in and around the towns of Madison and Harding. Next week I will talk about my listing on Woodland Avenue.
Posted by: Lois Olmstead
