Observer Editor
“Love’s Labor’s Lost”: U-M Residential College/Nichols Arboretum
Every Thurs.–Sun., June 4–28. U-M students and local actors perform an alfresco production of one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known comedies, a sophisticated, at times delightfully impish, and finally somewhat dark treatment of the battle of the sexes. The king of Navarre and 3 of his lords vow to deny themselves worldly pleasures, including women, and devote themselves to academic study. But when the princess of France and her 3 ladies arrive at the king’s court, these solemn oaths become vague memories, and each of the young lords begins secretly to woo one of the young ladies, indulging in revels, masques, and outrageous sonnets. The RC’s annual Shakespeare in the Arb production is a hugely popular local summer tradition. The action moves from spot to spot within the Arb, and the production takes special care to make the shifting environments an active force in the performance. Audience members should be prepared for the weather conditions and periods of sitting, standing, & walking and bring a lightweight chair or blanket to sit on. Note: the June 20 performance includes ASL interpretation. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Peony Garden entrance at 1610 Washington Heights. $25 (Matthaei-Arb members, $20; kids, $15) in advance only at mutotix.umich.edu & the Michigan Union Ticket Office and are held at will call at the Arboretum Visitor Center. (734) 763–8587.
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