Shakespeare in the Parking Lot presents: The Tempest & As You Like It

A summer New York institution, Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot, where performers present works by the Bard free of charge, while competing with the various sounds of the city, will return this July with The Tempest and As You Like It.

The shows will be presented by TheDrillingCompanyNY, which has been co-producing this Lower East Side Shakespeare experience with Ludlow Ten since 2001.

The Tempest and As You Like It will be performed at the Municipal Parking Lot, right across from 85 Ludlow Street (cross streets Broome & Delancey Streets).

"We're delighted to have this opportunity to help continue a New York tradition," said DrillingCompaNY artistic director Hamilton Clancy. Originally helmed by Expanded Arts, since 2001 Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot has been presented by Ludlow Ten who has invited TheDrillingCompaNY to co-produce the productions for the last four years). "We've been fortunate to have the guidance of Leonard McKenzie, the former Artistic Director of Ludlow Ten, who has kept the series going," said Hamilton Clancy.

Directed by Kathy Curtiss, The Tempest will be performed from 6 - 22 Jul 2006.

One of the last plays Shakespeare wrote, The Tempest tells the story of Prospero, an exiled Duke of Milan, who has a chance for revenge when a ship carrying his foes passes near his isle of exile. Considered a Romantic work, the play includes elements of both vengeance and forgiveness.

Directed by Jesus Ontivieros,As You Like It will be performed from 27 Jul - 12 Aug 2006.

One of Shakespeare's most-loved comedies, As You Like It presents us with two sets of feuding brothers, cross-dressing and Rosalind � one of the Bard's most popular femaale characters.

More information on the Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot productions (including a cast list and detailed ticketing information) will be released in the coming weeks.

The Drilling CompaNY began their association with Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot in 2001 with The Merry Wives of Windsor and continuing in 2002 with Two Gentlemen of Verona, 2004 Hamlet and 2005 The Taming of the Shrew.