To celebrate William Shakespeare’s legacy and the anniversary of his death on April 23, 1616, the Washington, D.C.-based Folger Shakespeare Library will bring an original First Folio of Shakespeare’s works, published in 1623, to the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda from Feb. 3-29 as part of a traveling exhibition.
Other Lake County arts and entertainment venues are celebrating Shakespeare in February to commemorate the man who penned the famous words “to be or not to be” more than 400 years ago.
The Discovery Museum competed against hundreds of applicants to be one institution in each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico to receive the traveling exhibition at no cost. The Folger Shakespeare Library holds 82 of the 233 known copies in the world of the First Folio, published seven years after the playwright’s death by two of his friends and actors.
Accompanying the rare book will be a multipanel exhibition exploring the significance of Shakespeare, then and now, with additional digital content and interactive activities. During the exhibition, the Lake County Discovery Museum is planning numerous programs for the public and families around the First Folio exhibition.
“This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to see one of the most important printed books in the world,” said Katherine Hamilton-Smith, director of cultural resources for the Lake County Forest Preserves, which owns the Discovery Museum.
If Shakespeare’s two friends had not published it, many of those plays, including “Julius Caesar” and “Macbeth,” which were not written down in a standardized format, would have been lost, she said. The museum is planning special programming to coincide with the exhibition. For more information, visit www.LCFPD.org/shakespeare.
Other Shakespeare-related events in Lake County in February 2016 include
‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’
When: Feb. 1-29
Where: David Adler Music and Arts Center, Culture Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
Tickets: Free
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Information: 847-367-0707; adlercenter.org/index.php/tag/shakespeare/
The David Adler Cultural Center is holding a juried art exhibition featuring works inspired by Shakespeare. An opening session is being planned.
‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare
When: Feb. 26, 27, 28, March 3,4,5
Where: James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, The College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington, Grayslake
Tickets: $10-$12; Special two for one, Feb. 26 and March 3
Information: 847-543-2000; jlc.clcillinois.edu/events.asp
The College of Lake County will present “The Tempest,” by William Shakespeare, a story set on an island where a marooned Prospero has spent 12 years perfecting his magic and plotting his revenge.
Here are more great events for families and adults to enjoy in 2016 in Lake County.
‘Goodnight Moon’ and ‘The Runaway Bunny’
When: 3 p.m. Feb. 14
Where: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St.., Waukegan
Tickets: $12
Information: 847-782-2366; www.geneseetheatre.com
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your children when the Mermaid Theatre of Novia Scotia production company brings two children’s tales, “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny” to life. The traveling production uses puppetry, music and interesting scenery to portray these two familiar children’s bedtime stories, written in 1942 and still read today. “The Runaway Bunny” is about a young rabbit playing hide-and-seek with his mother. “Goodnight Moon” is about child saying goodnight to everything in and outside his room.
Peking Acrobats 30th Anniversary Tour
When: 8 p.m. Feb. 19
Where: James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, College of Lake County, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake
Tickets: $12-$45
Information: 847-543-2000; jlc.clcillinois.edu/events.asp
Suitable for all ages, the Peking Acrobats perform artistic and athletic feats while juggling, tumbling, doing gymnastics and balancing on a sky of chairs amid a brightly colored stage. The Peking Acrobats set the world record for the human chair stack when they balanced six people atop six chairs 21 feet high. These performers from China also incorporate humor into their program and leave the spectator “waterlogged in wonder,” according to a recent baiduhai review.
‘The Price Is Right Live’
When: 7:30 p.m. March 5
Where: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
Tickets: $34-$52
Information: 847-782-2336; geneseetheatre.com/events/detail/the-price-is-right-live
Those ages 18 and older can register for the chance to participate in “The Price Is Right Live” with the potential to win prizes including appliances and vacations. This is a staged production show based on the television game show “The Price Is Right.” To have the chance to be selected via a random drawing, arrive three hours before starting time. Purchasing a ticket to see the show does not improve your chances of being selected as a participant.
Jethro Tull
When: 8 p.m. April 1
Where: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
Tickets: $55-$125
Information: 847-782-2366; www.geneseetheatre.com
Ian Anderson, the flute and voice behind the legendary Jethro Tull, celebrates his 47th year as an international recording and performing star. He now tours with string and other musical instruments performing his latest hit, “Homo Erraticus” along with past favorites including “Aqualung” and “Thick as a Brick.”
Luma Art In Darkness
When: 7:30 p.m. April 6
Where: Mainstage Theatre, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, College of Lake County, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake
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Tickets: $12-$35
Information: 847-543-2000; jlc.clcillinois.edu/events.asp
Suitable for all ages, this show of light, color and motion is designed to leave the audience exhilarated and mesmerized. The theater company uses darkness as the canvas and light as the brush to create a show combining dance, magic, puppetry and gymnastics. It was founded on the principal that humans are drawn to light. The show has been called “truly magical” by the San Francisco Globe. Luma Art in Darkness has been seen in 15 countries and features an award-winning rhythmic gymnast from Canada.
‘Seussical Jr., the Musical’
When: June 3-5
Where: Mundelein High School Auditorium, 1350 W. Halwey St.
Tickets: $10-$20
Information: 847-521-6192; www.kirkplayers.org
The Kirk Players perform the musical that brings favorite Dr. Seuss characters including the cat in the Hat and Horton the Elephant to life. The show ideal for children and their caretakers, explores friendship, loyalty, family and community with fun songs and colorful scenery.
‘South Pacific’
When: July 15-24
Where: Mainstage Theatre, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, College of Lake County, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake
Tickets: $12-$15
Information: 847-543-2000; jlc.clcillinois.edu/events.asp
Based on James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, “Tales of the South Pacific,” this popular musical explores romance, prejudice and war. Considered one of the best musicals of all time, “South Pacific” features classic songs including “Some Enchanted Evening,” and “Bali Ha’I”
‘Oliver!’
When: July 22-Aug. 7
Where: PM&L Theatre, 877 Main St., Antioch
Tickets: $15-$18
Information: 847-395-3055; www.pmltheatre.org
“Oliver!,” a musical based on a famous Charles Dickens’ book, became a stage hit in the 1960s and has been enjoyed by audiences worldwide every since. Featuring familiar songs such as “Food, Glorious, Food” and “Consider Yourself,” the musical tells the story of an orphan who gets befriended by a pickpocket in the streets of London. The musical was nominated for and won several Tony awards in 1963.
Lake County Fair
When: July 27-31
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson, Grayslake
Tickets: $5-$10
Information: 847-680-7200; www.lcfair.com
The 87th annual lake County Fair rolls into town in summer — and you can start working on your competition entries now in categories including culinary, photography, ceramic, textile, flowers, and vegetables, among others. Exhibits will feature livestock, arts and crafts, culinary arts, Miss Lake County Fair Queen pageant, truck and tractor pulls, live entertainment, carnival rides, a demolition derby and plenty of fair-style food including corn dogs, cotton candy and funnel cakes.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.