Ambition, deception and power unfolded under the summer sky as Moraine Valley Community College brought Shakespeare’s Richard III to life during its annual Shakespeare Under the Stars production.
The free outdoor performances marked the 23rd year of Moraine Valley’s summer Shakespeare tradition, drawing theatergoers to the college’s Gateway Arch area in Palos Hills for an evening of classic theater in a relaxed community setting.
Dr. Craig Rosen, Moraine Valley’s Academic Theater Department coordinator and director of Richard III, said the production gave the theater department an opportunity to explore a part of Shakespeare’s work it had not previously tackled.
“This is our 23rd year producing summer Shakespeare and we’ve yet to perform one of his history plays, so we wanted to take on that challenge,” Rosen said. “Richard III is one of the more famous and accessible history plays, and we thought that we had a couple of actors returning that might be up to the challenge of playing Richard, which is one of Shakespeare’s biggest and most challenging roles.”
The production featured about 20 actors, including five current Moraine Valley students and seven alumni. Unlike the college’s regular-season productions, which are primarily made up of current students, the summer Shakespeare series brings together a mix of students, alumni and community performers.
Many of the actors returned to the stage after previously participating in the production, continuing a tradition that has helped make Shakespeare Under the Stars a community event.
Among the returning performers was Cameron Chamberlain of Burr Ridge, who portrayed Richard III, one of Shakespeare’s most complex and recognizable villains.
Chamberlain said performing the play outdoors gave him a new appreciation for Shakespeare’s words and the connection between the playwright’s writing and the natural surroundings of the stage.
“Shakespeare’s writing connects with nature quite a bit. While I am performing outside, seeing the greenery and feeling the weather gives me a different perspective on the text,” Chamberlain said.
The outdoor setting has been a key part of the event’s appeal since the tradition began more than two decades ago. Inspired by the long history of outdoor Shakespeare performances throughout the country, Moraine Valley wanted to create a setting where audiences could enjoy theater in a welcoming environment.
“As the campus expanded, the Gateway Arch, where the show is usually performed, became a natural venue,” Rosen said. “The casual outdoor atmosphere is one of the draws of the event as people bring young children and have picnics while watching the show.”
The production followed Richard, Duke of Gloucester, as he manipulated, deceived and murdered his way toward England’s throne. The role has long been considered one of Shakespeare’s most demanding characters, requiring an actor to portray both charm and cruelty.
Rosen said Richard’s unique relationship with the audience is what makes the character especially compelling.
“I love the character of Richard who can be likable, at least at the start of the play,” Rosen said. “We don’t usually follow the mindset of the villain, but Richard speaks directly to the audience and explains what he is going to do. He is a Machiavellian character who includes us, the audience, in his plan. It is a fun approach.”