The blog is going away but the reviews are not. You can find them here in the online print edition.
Home > ATLarts > Archives > 2008 > May > 07 > Entry
Shake at the Lake opens with goofed-up ‘Servant of Two Masters’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The farce is with Shake at the Lake, even if the Bard himself is nowhere to be found. Georgia Shakespeare’s annual al fresco springtime outing on the dock at Lake Clara Meer in Piedmont Park kicked off Wednesday night with a goofed-up version of “The Servant of Two Masters,” a farce by Carlo Goldoni.
Piedmont Park has been off-limits to large events like the Peachtree Road Race of late because of the drought. But Shake at the Lake is restricted to under 1,000 people per night, only a few on grass, so it’s allowed.
“I’ve come every year. It’s just amazing,” said Dayna Holbel, a stay-at-home mom from Morningside, who showed up at at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning to get her tickets. “The sun going down, the water behind it, everybody’s really sweet and sharing wine.”
Like Chastain Park on a more intimate, less intricate scale, Shake at the Lake is about pre-show picnicking as well as the play itself. Mary Wellington and five friends brought wine, salads and deviled eggs stuffed with spicy hummus; many who showed up opted for carry-out subs or pizza.
“I enjoy the Shakespeare,” said Wellington, “but this is not Shakespeare.” She wasn’t complaining, but the “Servant” trotted out here is re-written in the extreme, with Miley Cyrus jokes and a record number of deliberate mispronunciations of Dahlonega. Since hardly anyone has seen the original play, hardly anyone can take offense at Georgia Shakespeare’s liberties.
For those wanting to try it through Sunday, the Shake rules must be obeyed. Tickets are free, but they are only available the day of the show to people who come in person to the visitor’s center at Piedmont Park. The handouts start at 10 a.m., the line starts earlier. No lawn chairs, pets, Frisbees, or anything that makes noise is allowed; coolers are cool, but keep them small.
More info: www.shakeatthelake.com • Map it and review it
Services »
Comments
By justin
May 8, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
It was a blast. Highly recommended, but it may be a two drink minimum show at times. Thanks to all the actors/production/volunteers!
By Nevermore
May 8, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Why call it “Shake at the Lake” when some of the stuff they do isn’t even Shakespeare? Misnomer?
By ???
May 8, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
No lawn chairs, pets, Frisbees, or anything that makes noise is allowed So does that include kids?
Two drink minimum show? Meaning you may need at least two drinks to get thru the show?
By Michelle
May 8, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
It would have been great but when I arrived to get tickets, they were out. I was told I could go to the theatre and pick some up. No, I live across the street and you have no tickets? So much for the locals being able to enjoy.
By justin
May 8, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
I meant two drink minimum to appreciate the imense amount of slap stick, over the top humor. The show is very good and entertaining, just a wee bit cheesy/corny. Mmmmmm….cheesy corn…aghhhhhhhhhhh.
Michelle, tickets were available when advertised and I live across the street.
By John
May 8, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Two drink minimum? Count me out.
By f(x) = 36x^2
May 8, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
No, it isn’t Shakespeare, but it’s perfectly appropriate. And it certainly isn’t “re-written”.
A Servant of Two Masters is commedia dell’arte, an Italian Rennaissance form of improvisational theatre. Actors are given a rough script and a character archetype that defines their behavior. The framework of the show is filled with improvised interaction between characters.
It is absolutely appropriate to include regional jokes, digs at local personalities, celebrities, etc. It is completely true to the style of the play.
By JeremiahWright
May 8, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
All you white people with your highbrow entertainment. You should spend your time making up for slavery instead. After all you’re able to afford this type of entertainment because of your families once held slaves. Down with the white man! Up with Obama!
By OsamaBinLaden
May 8, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Ahhhhh, Jeremiah, that’s my job, now back off!!! Up with the white man and the arabs!! Up with Al-Quida, and my boy Dubya, he’s one of my closest friends. How do you think the US can’t find me, because my boy Dubya keeps tipping me off!!! I love the US Rethuglicons, they keep us foreigners ten steps ahead of you dumb Americans, and you all just keep putting them back in office. Thanks USA!!!
By comp133xi7y
May 8, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
Is it not possible to have a conversation about anything without half-wits with inflated ideas about their own cleverness interjecting pseudo-political drivel? Take it to the Wooten blog with the other knuckle-draggers.
By justin
May 8, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
I didn’t mean to say the show was bad, but if you do not appreciate slapstick, over the top humor, then you may not like this show.
For everyone else who likes humor, go, will enjoy it.
How the hell did this blog meander into a political half-thought malarky turn?
By Shirley
May 8, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Did yall see Monica’s platinum wigs last week on 2?
By Scott S.
May 8, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
There is no age (kid) restriction. There is a level of courteousness due to a live performer and your fellow audience members. Only the parent can determine if their children can be trusted to maintain that level of decorum in such a small and intimate seating environment.
By Chris
May 8, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Free is great! Kudos for all the effort to bring it to the masses. So sad the arts is not more in the public eye. Also that most think the arts is for the rich. The play was great last year so sure it will be good again this year. They do play with the wording and so that makes it fun. The hard core art major will be either smiling or upset but that is not the message. It is about a good time by all and so all the poor soul stealers should stay away! Good to know we have a group that wants to try!
By Very good time
May 8, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
The play was very well done and the location is amazing. Lots of good yucks. There were some kids there, but they definitely needed to be able to sit quietly for 2.5 hours.
It is a very good free date/group outing. Especially for the weekend tickets, you just have to get to the handout area early.
By Tommy
May 8, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Can anyone tell me exactly where this ticket window/visitor center is? I need specific information about where to get tickets and how fast do they run out?
(Don’t want to drive down there to get turned away…) sounds like a fun show though
By wwwandrr
May 8, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Go to the building right next to the lake, there should be tables set up in front. Immediate entrance is the Piedmont Rd.entrance. Saw MacBeth years ago was brilliant. You have to show up early or you’ll be left out. Saturday shows are the toughest because everyone is off work to go early and free time at night.
By Mark
May 8, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
For those who don’t know, you can also pick up tickets (day-of-performance) at the Conant Center box office (Oglethorpe University / Brookhaven) beginning at 10am. I have never had a problem getting them there, and the wait is minimal if at all.
By irene
May 9, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Chris, There are some terrific free events for the public in Atlanta. A yearly series of 6 by the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra (ACSO) is a great example.
By Katie
May 9, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Tickets, in both locations, are truly on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you miss out one day, get there earlier the next and you should be good! Also, a waiting list is started once all of the tickets for the night are handed out. If ticketed people don’t come, the waiting list makes it in!
And, it can be “Shake at the Lake” because it’s still Georgia Shakespeare!
Enjoy the show with whomever you can. I find that there’s usually a few children asleep on the lawn by the end of the show, but it’s never been an issue for me in the past.
By Lynette
May 9, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
would love to attend one of these events. I live out in Loganville…… (waaay outttt). It would be nice to be able to pick up tix somewhere in Gwinnett or Walton County.
By diddy
May 9, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Funny how the photographer found the ONLY black couple at Shake, and ajc.com used their picture on the front page of website…
What a hoot!
By Gordon
May 9, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Getting together at Piedmont Park is about people watching, enjoying a show & a laugh. To all you black & white bigots — please don’t attend; you ruin it for the rest of us who enjoy variety & living life.
By Rob Cleveland
May 13, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
A big thank you goes out to the Atlanta theater audiences that came to “Shake at the Lake”. We in the cast greatly appreciated your attendance (at least I did, and I assume the rest of the cast did as well, but I digress). We all had a ball and every night was an adventure (try juggling in the wind or performing in the rain while wearing sensitive electrical mike equipment, but I again digress). Anyway, thanks for attending (if you did). And thanks Phil for the coverage. See you next year for “Thirtysomething, the Musical”. (just kidding)
Rob Cleveland Associate Artist-Georgia Shakespeare