“He that wants money, means, and content is without three good friends,” Shakespeare wrote in As You Like It,, and while Shakespeare Santa Cruz may have rich content, it is still wanting for the two other friends—money and means
“He that wants money, means, and content is without three good friends,” Shakespeare wrote in As You Like It, and while Shakespeare Santa Cruz may have rich content, it is still wanting for the two other friends—money and means. The festival, considered one of the 10 most influential in the nation, is facing a sharp drop in ticket sales. While this is not the first time the festival has run at a loss, in past years UCSC helped to underwrite its annual productions. But this year, like last year, the university itself is in dire straits and unable to pick up the tab. While the theater company managed to raise over $400,000 last year in an emergency campaign, the money is being held in reserve and cannot be used to cover operating expenses. That places an extra burden on ticket sales, which have declined because of the economy.
When asked what the public can do to make sure the festival survives this season, Artistic Director Marco Baricelli responded: “Turn out in full force!”
This year, SSC will be performing three plays: Julius Caesar and A Midsummer’s Night Dream by Shakespeare, and Shipwrecked! An Entertainment by Donald Margulies. Read more at the San Jose Mercury News.
