NORTHFIELD – For their fourth “Bard in the Bar” reading, Valley Players will present Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, King Lear, featuring a cast of over twenty actors from across the region. The reading will be on Saturday, November 21, from 6pm to 9pm at The Brewery at Four Star Farms (508 Pine Meadow Road, Northfield, MA).
“Bard in the Bar” is an unrehearsed, script-in-hand, drink-in-hand reading of a Shakespeare play in a local bar to benefit a local cause. All participants are volunteer performers, and most roles are distributed at random. To sign up for the chance to get a role, email info@valleyplayers.org before November 7. Anyone not participating in the reading can still watch the show, bring a bite to eat or enjoy a fresh slice from Flis Pizza’s onsite wood-fired oven, grab a beverage from the Brewery’s delicious autumn lineup of craft beers and non-alcoholic drinks, and enjoy the show.
Admission to the reading is free, but donations are being collected at the show and at valleyplayers.org. Half of donations will go to support Valley Players’ upcoming Season Four in 2027 and half will go to Life Path (lifepathma.org). For over 50 years, LifePath has provided a large array of supportive programs aimed at helping older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers across Franklin County and the North Quabbin region to live more independent lives. Life Path’s programs range include care at home support, nutrition, financial, health and wellness services through workshops, counseling, support groups, grants, and more.
Valley Players is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with a mission to enrich the quality of life in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts by producing nimble, meaningful, and accessible community theater that helps build community. A core part of that mission is donating half of its net ticket revenue to other nonprofits serving the Valley. More information about Valley Players, including how to make a tax-deductible donation, become a business sponsor, sign up for auditions, or join the email list, is at valleyplayers.org.