What we’re about
Twin Cities Shakespeare Readers meets once a month to discuss the plays of William Shakespeare, the greatest writer who ever lived. Our goal is to approach the wisdom, beauty and cognitive power of his poetry.
We meet at 6 PM on the last Monday of every month at Minneapolis Central Library in the Doty Board Room, room N-280.
The Doty Board Room, room N-280, is located on the second floor of the Minneapolis Central Library. Take the elevator or escalator up from the lobby to the second floor and go down the hallway to the left.
Audio performances of 2023 plays
Spotify: https://spotify.link/BxDcBu4hFCb
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6f0Fq3KbiVLF3TceUXVClCn9YjlxjKqa&si=4AZzbvIrVhEP6gmv
Donate
PayPal: paypal.me/robblarson
Venmo: @Robb-Larson
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Theatre In The Round Players: "Pride and Prejudice" ($5)Theatre in the Round, Minneapolis, MN
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 7:30 pm.
Theatre in the Round Players (TRP)
245 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55454"Pride and Prejudice"
By Jane Austen, adapted by Kate HamillJoin us for the final dress rehearsal of "Pride and Prejudice". The cost is $5.00 at the door. Cash preferred. NO LATE SEATING.
Play Description:
Jane Austen’s beloved novel bursts to life in this fresh, fast-paced adaptation by Kate Hamill. Spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets her match in the proud Mr. Darcy, igniting a clash of wit and will that’s as moving as it is hilarious. With playful staging and bold character choices, this reinvention of a classic explores love, class, and identity with heart, humor, and modern flair. Pride and Prejudice is a joyous, clever celebration of choosing your own path—and finding connection where you least expect it.Run time: t/b/a
There is also a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Monday, September 22, 2025, 7:30 pm
PARKING:
1. Parking is NOT free at parking meters in the evening.
2. There is a surface parking lot directly across the street from Theatre in the Round, behind The Corner Bar, where the cost is $5.00.
3. You can also park nearby in the ramp of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 1500 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454. Remember your license plate and when you are leaving the theater there is a QR code you can scan with your smart phone and only pay $5.50. (Four hour limit at this discounted price.)There is always a small chance that a performance might be cancelled at the last minute, so call TRP that afternoon to check 612-333-3010, and also check Meetup messages for this event.
- "Musical Settings for Shakespeare” at Jazz Central StudiosJazz Central Studios, Minneapolis, MN
"Musical Settings for Shakespeare” at Jazz Central Studios
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 8-10 pm
Jazz Central Studios
407 Central Ave. S.E.
Minneapolis, MNFree parking on nearby streets.
Admission Price: $10; $5 students with ID
Performed by the Ken Takata Ensemble: Sarah Callahan, Sophie Caplin, Chris Hepola, Laura Lentz Landstad, Eric Struve, Ken Takata, and Sarah Zuber.
We know that music played a crucial role in the original productions of Shakespeare’s plays because there are over 70 texts that are supposed to be sung. Unfortunately, most of the original music has been lost. In our presentations we have used our imaginations to craft melodies to Shakespeare’s lyrics, using various styles of music.
Because tonight’s show is at one of the main venues for jazz in the Twin Cities, we’re taking this special opportunity to ask what the intersection of Shakespeare and jazz is or could be. Towards those ends, Chris Hepola and Eric Struve are going to be joining us to form a drums, bass, and piano trio to complement our four vocalists.
Our set list has original settings that draw upon several influences in jazz, or that are adjacent to it: the Great American Songbook (e.g., the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, etc.), Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, and others.
Thanks to Mac Santiago and Jazz Central Studios for hosting the event.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
More info at: https://kentakata.com
- “Richard III”Minneapolis Central Library, room N-202, Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Central Library: Room N-202.
There is underground parking beneath the library, off 4th St. S., for about $5. Go in to the Library lobby and then in to the book stacks area. Take the elevator or stairs up to the 2nd floor, then go all the way to the left.
This is a discussion about the play, not a reading or showing of it.
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York.
– Richard, in Richard III, Act 1 Scene 1And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
– Richard, in Richard III, Act 1 Scene 1A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!
– Richard, in Richard III, Act 5 Scene 4SYNOPSIS (from the Folger Library)
• As Richard III opens, Richard is Duke of Gloucester and his brother, Edward IV, is king. Richard is eager to clear his way to the crown. He manipulates Edward into imprisoning their brother, Clarence, and then has Clarence murdered in the Tower. Meanwhile, Richard succeeds in marrying Lady Anne, even though he killed her father-in-law, Henry VI, and her husband.
• When the ailing King Edward dies, Prince Edward, the older of his two young sons, is next in line for the throne. Richard houses the Prince and his younger brother in the Tower. Richard then stages events that yield him the crown.
• After Richard’s coronation, he has the boys secretly killed. He also disposes of Anne, his wife, in order to court his niece, Elizabeth of York. Rebellious nobles rally to Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond. When their armies meet, Richard is defeated and killed. Richmond becomes Henry VII. His marriage to Elizabeth of York ends the Wars of the Roses and starts the Tudor dynasty.FREE VIDEOS - FULL PLAY (YOUTUBE)
• Hofstra Shakespeare Festival (2019)
• English Shakespeare Company (1990) (Modern Setting)
• Denton Community Theatre (2017)
Part 1
Part 2FREE VIDEOS - OTHER (YOUTUBE)
• Richard III - Play Summary (6:48 minutes)
• Shakespeare: The Animated Tales: Richard III
• Tim Nance: Shakespeare’s Richard III Discussion and Summary (54:30)KANOPY APP
Download the free app. Then link your library account to it. This will allow you free access to many Shakespeare plays. You can also watch the Shakespeare series “Upstart Crow” for free.ARTICLES
• Wikipedia: Richard III
**• About Shakespeare’s *Richard III ***by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine
**• A Modern Perspective: *Richard III ***by Phyllis Rackin
• SparkNotes: Richard III Full Play Summary
• SparkNotes: Richard III Full Play Analysis
• SparkNotes: Richard III Themes
• Further Reading: Richard IIIGENERAL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
• The Folger Shakespeare Library has free and paid (includes notes) downloadable texts of all of Shakespeare’s plays.
• The Folger Library: Shakespeare Documented has copies of original documents from Shakespeare’s time.
• PlayShakespeare: The Ultimate Free Shakespeare Research
• Podcast: “Approaching Shakespeare”
• Podcast: “Shakespeare Unlimited” Play by Play
• SparkNotes 101: Shakespeare [Excellent synopses of all the plays.]
• Shakespeare After All by Marjorie Garber [Excellent analysis of all the plays.]FACEBOOK PAGES
• The Official William Shakespeare Page
• Shakespeare Study Group
• William Shakespeare: His Works and His WorldAPP
• Shakespeare AppBEST SHAKESPEARE USED BOOK SELECTIONS IN THE TWIN CITIES
• Midway Books, St. Paul
• The Book House, Minneapolis
• James & Mary Laurie Booksellers, Minneapolis
