Shakespeare Festival Hits Hudson Valley; Locals to See Discounts

To the delight of some residents—and chagrin of others—the Lower Hudson Valley transforms into one of the state's premier destinations each summer.

And though hiking, boating and shopping may top some to-do lists, there's another draw for the more art-inclined—the annual Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

Entering its 27th season, the June-through-September fete had a modest genesis, with early plays being performed in a meadow, said spokeswoman Abigail Adams. But now, the cast brings in an audience of about 40,000 over the course of the festival.

Stationed at Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison and staging classics like King Lear, The Three Musketeers and All's Well That Ends Well, the summer sessions draw folks from Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. And offer discounts, too. (To view Neighborhood Nights discounts, scroll to the end of the story.)

The festival also has a didactic arm, which performs at local high schools in the region and provides interactive lessons, said Chris Edwards, the festival's director of education.

"The [classes] are specific to the needs of the school," Edwards said, noting students can do everything from line reading to stage combat.

Edwards also directs this summer's The Three Musketeers on the Garrison main stage.

For directions, pricing and more, visit the festival's website.

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Neighborhood Nights

Westchester residents receive 25 percent off the ticket price for:

All's Well That Ends Well, June 14
The Three Musketeers, June 20
King Lear, June 27

Rockland residents receive 25 percent off the ticket price for:

King Lear, June 13
All's Well That Ends Well, June 18
The Three Musketeers, June 28