News Release

"Shakespeare in the Parks" Visits Abraham Lincoln Birthplace

KYS

News Release Date: May 20, 2021

Contact: Stacy Humphreys, 2703583137

Hodgenville, KY - Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park is hosting the Louisville-based theatre company, Kentucky Shakespeare, for a live performance of Romeo and Juliet on May 27, 2021, at 6:30p.m. (ET).

The works of William Shakespeare played an important role in the life of Abraham Lincoln with pieces of Shakespeare's plays making their way into some of the only books Lincoln had access to as a child. Lincoln's love of Shakespeare followed him to the White House with a collection of Shakespeare's works being found among his personal collection. In honor of the connection Lincoln had with the Bard, the park is excited to partner with Kentucky Shakespeare to share a work by this famous playwright with visitors and the local community.

This 85-minute traveling production of Romeo and Juliet will take place at the bottom of the Memorial Building steps near the flagpole. Visitors will be seated on the steps in front of the Memorial Building for the duration of the play and are encouraged to be seated at least 5 minutes before the start of the show. Upon arrival to the park, visitors will be asked to take the accessible boardwalk up to the Memorial Building before being directed down to their seats. It is recommended that visitors bring blankets for seating as well as flashlights and bug spray. The park will be observing updated CDC guidelines and observing social distancing protocols. 

The park visitor center and bookstore will remain open until the start of the show, and a self-guided activity about the connection between Shakespeare and Lincoln will be available. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the event, visit the park's Facebook page at https:www.facebook.com/LincolnBirthplaceNPS or viist the park's website at www.nps.gov/abli. Any delay or cancellation of the event due to severe weather will be posted on our Facebook page.
 

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.