Old Bridge, NJ – Oct. 1, 2018 – The Old Bridge Public Library will present two notable cultural events this month, as it welcomes back the Wag and the Hudson Shakespeare Company.
The Wag will perform as part of the Second Saturday Concert Series on Saturday, October 13th at 2:30pm. An upbeat, high-energy band based in NJ’s Bayshore area, The Wag’s unique style varies from blues to pop to rock, and features three alternating lead singers, resulting in a different feel to every song. The band has performed locally for over 20 years and opened for national acts such as Rick Springfield, John Cafferty, Peter Tork of the Monkees and Jefferson Starship. More information about the group can be found at www.thewagband.com.
Then, on Sunday, October 21st at 2pm, The Hudson Shakespeare Company will perform The Spanish Tragedy, a dark tale of murder, revenge, passion and love. An Elizabethan drama written by Thomas Kyd circa 1585, The Spanish Tragedy was hugely popular during that time period and was responsible for establishing a new type of drama called the revenge tragedy. Its plot revolves around a plan to solidify peace between Portugal and Spain, as the Spanish prince Lorenzo hopes to marry his sister, Bell-Imperia, off to the Portuguese prince Balthazar. However, she has other plans, and a descent into madness and murder ensues. Later versions of the play generally included additional scenes and bits of dialogue which have been attributed to William Shakespeare. Many of its elements, such as a play within a play to trap a murderer, and a ghost intent on vengeance, are apparent in Shakespeare’s other works such as Hamlet and Titus Andronicus.
The Hudson Shakespeare Company is a regional theatrical touring company based in Jersey City, NJ, that produces an annual summer Shakespeare in the Park festival and offers a variety of theatrical productions and educational programs in libraries, parks, schools and other venues throughout the state. Attendees are requested to bring a non-perishable, unexpired donation for the Old Bridge Food Pantry to these free events.
The Old Bridge Public Library has consistently been voted one of the three Best Public Libraries in Middlesex County by the readers of the Home News Tribune. The Library is open seven-days-a-week and is located at 1 Old Bridge Plaza at the corner of Rt. 516 and Cottrell Road in the Municipal Center. More information about these and other Library programs is available at www.oldbridgelibrary.org or by calling 732-721-5600 x5033. The satellite Laurence Harbor branch is located at 277 Shoreland Circle; phone: 732-566-2227.
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