Maryland Renaissance Festival

Allison Williams director

Trapeze, aerial silks, acrobatics and comedy - live, up close and potentially personal! Fresh from an international tour, the Aerial Angels present European-style "street" shows throughout the village. 

Visit them at www.angelsintheair.com.

Performing September 18th to October 3rd.

Dianna Cuatto, director
BTM will dance excerpts from upcoming ballets.  Visit their website at www.balletmaryland.org for information on upcoming performances and their school of classical and contemporary dance.

Performing at 11:30am on the Globe on September 4th, 5th & 6th.

Bob Garman, Spencer Humm, Jack Reda, Steve Wannall

We dare you to come and see our interactive comedy show. There are four different Bloody Dramas. Two are totally improvised.

Performing September 11th through October 24th. One show at the Globe, one show at Lyric Stage.

The Cheeky Monkey Sideshow 

Get ready for freaks, fun, and fantastic feats of stupidity and danger!

Cheeky Monkey Sideshow is a breath-taking cavalcade of the bizarre, the astounding, the extreme, and the strange. Every show is different, every act unique.Cheeky Monkey Sideshow ~ You'll be Amazed. You'll be Amused. You'll be Just a Little Bit Grossed Out.

www.cheekymonkeysideshow.com

Rated PG-13

 Performing one show daily at the Blackfriars Theatre

Conundrum

Todd Brown

Conundrum will confound you with amazing tricks and puzzles.  Encounter his magic in the pathways.

Brian Wendell Morton
Dinty, “the most honest man in the village”, will amuse and amaze you with daring feats of dishonesty, culminating in a two-man fight to the Death! Or, something very close to it!  http://www.liesofbrian.com/

See Dinty in the pathways, and for one show daily at the Lyric Stage.

Lady Merilee Effingham

Amy Wachtel

We are pleased to welcome Lady Merilee Effingham back to Revel Grove.  Through her cunning wit, songs, jokes, stories, poems and riddles, she clearly demonstrates the art of a courtesan. 

Performing: September 4th through October 3rd.

Happenstance Theater's EVERYFOOL

Happenstance Theater ("O" and LaLa thinly disguised) in a loose and foolish version of the great Medieval Morality play Everyman.  Physical comedy and moronic morality.

Performed at the Globe Theatre.

Jim Frank, Mike Martin, Casey M. Severn, Geoff Thompson.
Ever wonder where a broadsword got its name? Why Samurai bow to their swords? Or do you just like watching grown men trying to hurt each other? Then see Fight School and Fight School 2: Reloaded, where the Fight School masters take you on a journey through weapon history and dueling lore. Be careful or you might learn something in between the laughter. Sharp weapons, blunt humor - its better than running with scissors. For more information visit www.period-productions.com

Fight School I - 11am at the Market Stage

Fight School II at 5pm at the Globe Theatre

With sword swallowing, magic and a quick wit, the legendary Johnny Fox has thrilled audiences around the world. At the Royal Stage.

Johnny Fox's  JADOO

Mark Jaster - A Fool named "O", Sabrina Mandell as "LaLa"

Family-friendly physical antics and classic knock-about comedy.  A Fool Named "O" has endeared himself to Festival audiences for over 20 years.  "O" and his partner, "LaLa" mix classic routines and new material again this year as they have since 2005.  www.happenstancetheater.com 

At the Lyric Stage.

Daniel Forlano, unbearable

"An enchanting, charming clown with perfected circus skills." Performing Arts INSIDER
"Happy/sad... quirky in the extreme!" Capitol Times (New Zealand)

Daniel was born in the Virgo Supercluster at the outer limits of the Milky Way Galaxy near a star known locally as the Sun on a planet where the food is quite good. When his college advisor offered to write him a recommendation to Harvard University he decided comedy was the smarter option. In a life of unbearable beauty on a playground of impossible illusion he brings innocence, ineptitude, daring, and sexiness together like a jazz band personified.

He played the lead role in the short film Eugene that won Best Student Film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, stood in for Breckin Meyer in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, and was spotted eating popcorn in The Invention of Lying. When he isn't climbing acrobatic ladders he climbs rocks.   www.danielforlano.com

Performing September 18th to September 26th

Roy Cox, director
In the Middle Ages a “lance” was a group of soldiers consisting of a knight, his squire, a valet and twelve men at arms. If a knight’s lord was to die or if the knight had not sworn fealty to a lord, then he and his followers were called a “free lance” and entitled to be hired as mercenaries by the highest bidder.

The Free Lancers return for a season of action packed excitement. Years of formal research, professional stage credits, combat and stunt training has provided the know-how to keep presentations exciting and safe for humans and their steeds. Only the most dedicated and physically adept of players qualify as jousters. The Free Lancers are distinguished in the attention and care for the safety and well-being of human and animal performers.

El Gleno Grande

Glenn Singer

Invited to leave private school on his first day in grade one, Singer embarked on a scholastic career that suprised no one.  Having reached the age of consent with no convictions, he decided to go into theatre.  On the way he was sidetracked by a street performance and it still shows.

Having performed over 15 years on every continent except Antartica ("It's just a matter of time") Glenn has secured a place for himself at the very bottom of the big time with engagements at such places as Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, and Universal Studios in Hollywood.

"I've always liked the circus.  I loved the clowns, although I couldn't help feeling sorry for the animals.  So now I put on a real live wild animal act, only funnier."  This show could make cows laugh, but for your convenience no livestock will be permitted at the Festival.

www.horseguy.com

Performing August 28th - September 6th.

Gabriel Q

Gabriel Quirk

Gabriel Q is a puppeteer, costume and puppet builder and a variety performer. He has performed for 25 years at major Renaissance Festivals across the country.  He has also performed at the Kim Tom Clown festival in Shaghai, China in 2008.

For the past 10 years Gabriel has built and performed large puppets for the krewes of Orpheus and Muses for the Marti Gras parades in New Orleans.

2010 marks Gabriel's first appearance at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.

Performance dates: August 28th - September 26th.

John Davis, Spencer Humm
Rollicking comedy, swashbuckling swordplay and rapier wit. This duo of hilarious action heroes return to the festival with swords, bullwhips, ale, crossbow and a bed of one thousand spikes. No two shows are alike for these improvisational loonies. Hack and Slash promise each show will have something old, something new, something daring and something brewed. www.HackandSlash.com

Performing 3 shows daily at the Blackfriars Theatre EXCEPT October 2nd & 3rd, when they will be at the Royal Stage.

Hack and Slash Comedy Consipracy

John  Davis, Spencer Humm

Brand new show! This Hack and Slash event will be different each week, with surprise visits from your favorite festival funny people.  Whatever H&S decide to do each day, it's bound to be hilarious!

At the Boars Head Tavern at 5:45pm.  (yes, that's right. 5:45pm.  Because 5:30 or 6pm would be too easy.)

Michael Hilby
Best described as a show without boundaries, Hilby is the living proof that being German doesn’t mean you can’t be funny. Hilby is an expert in juggling all sorts of objects and subjects. He also is amazing in countless circus and variety skills such as unicycling, balance stunts and more. He really gets his audience involved and creates magical and hilarious moments through their participation. All that and more! www.hilby.net

 Performing October 9th to October 24th.

See the Hypnosis show. See the Hypnosis show. See the Hypnosis show. See the Hypnosis show. See the Hypnosis show. See the Hypnosis show. See the Hypnosis show.

Once daily at 11:30am on the Globe Theatre, beginning September 11th.

The Interpreters

Michele G. Schultz, Lisa Oberg

One speaks Italian, one speaks blonde, but the communication problems just as to the fun in a show where the Courtesans of Comedy sing bawdy tunes to tickle your....funnt bone.  Rated PG-13

www.myspace.com/theinterpretersofteatro

www.facebook.com/pages/TheInterpreters/44919400638?ref=ts

Ivanovich

Ivanovich! embodies mystery.  The Russian gypsy conjuror will read your mind, multiply your money and do things you KNOW are impossible right under your nose.  And then he'll do them again.  You'll laugh, you'll gasp, you'll scream, and you'll love every second of it.  He works close up, in the streets, on stage, and YOU are an integral part of the constantly running show. You'll give him a minute and you'll lose your sense of reality.  Don't worry, he'll help you find it again.

Performing Magic Weekend: September 4th, 5th, 6th.

The Jokesters

Marianne Wittelsberger and Steve Bauer have performed all over the United States, including 8 Command Performances at the White House for Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton, and numerous performances for the DISNEY Corporation. Their Award Winning Cable Television Show called “JOKESTERS”, which Bauer and Wittelsberger wrote, directed and produced in Los Angeles, Won “Best Comedy Show" by the CABLE ACE AWARDS.

The Jokesters stage show has been dubbed a “Best Bet” for Family Entertainment by the Los Angeles Times and the Baltimore Sun and is perfect for people of all ages and nationalities.

 The Jokesters combine visual Comedy, Mime & Magic with lots of audience participation.  These Jokesters will pull some of their outrageous antics in a show full of good humor and lots of fun!

8/28,29 at the Globe Theatre.

Knight School

The Free Lance Jousters, Brian Douglas

Written and directed by Mary Ann Jung and Tom Plott

Did you ever wonder what the various parts of armor are called?  Did you want to know more about knights, horses, and jousting?  Here is your opportunity!  At 12pm at the Jousting Arena, join us for "Knight School", an upclose and personal show that will give you a fun and informative background on knights and jousting.  Then you can really appreciate the jousting by the Free Lancers at 1:30pm, 3:30pm & 5:30pm!

Larksalot the Bald

Guy Collins

Fun and funambulism!  Awesome juggling stunts with a wicked, wacky sense of humor.  www.jugglerguy.com

 Performing daily at the Lyric Stage

Duncan Pace, Matt Connolly, Louis Skaradek

A charming and innovative mix of free-flow comedy and fantastic team juggling.  Duncan, Louie and Matt have performed thousands of shows together nationwide since 1999.   

They started off as teenagers in Revel Grove and now return as men with three different shows: “Blades of Fury”, “Juggling well Done” and “Lets Loose” where nothing is planned and anything goes! Visit them at www.thelondonbroilshow.com 

On the Royal Stage from August 28th to September 26th.

Bodice Talk with Mistress Beatrice

Bess Wilkins

A midwife’s guide to birthing and beauty in the Tudor age.

The Tudor Top Five

Bess Wilkins

Join Beatrice Hampton, simplist, as she offers helpful hints on how not to succumb to the Tudor Top Five Diseases of 1543. 

Law & Order: Tudor Consequences 

Charlton Howard

Crime and punishment, Tudor style.

Maggie Sansone with village musicians and special guests.
A festive gathering of merry tunes, musicians and Irish dancers!  www.maggiesmusic.com

Maggie performs her stage show on the Gatehouse Stage on 9/11,12,18 &19.

Rick Kunst,  Scotty Watson

From Shakespeare to Mother Goose, these comedy shows will keep you laughing all day and make you glad you are not related to either of them. Fun for the whole family.

 Performing October 9th to October 24th.

Molly Dangles

Moira Lee

Look up!  Molly will capture your imagination with aerial arts, acrobatics, contortion, dancing, and juggling in the treetops and the lanes.

www.circuspixie.com

Mutts Gone Nuts!

Jessie & James and their mess of mischievious mutts present a comical blend of circus skills and dog feats suitable for the whole family.  Expect the unexpected as Jessie and James valiantly attempt to match wits with their pack of stray dogs in an epic battle of wills.  Rope walking, whip-wracking and crowd play round out a show that'll leave you howling for more.  

Performing at the Blackfriars Theatre from October 9th to October 24th.  

New Moon Theater

New Moon Founder Julie Kurzava has created a magical journey circling the globe. Tales from the Good Earth shares ageless stories from the four corners of the earth with a focus on appreciation and respect for the natural world.  www.nmtheater.org

Special Guest for Children's Weekend - August 28th & 29th.  Performing at the Fortune Stage.

Nickel Shakespeare Girls

Carmen Mandley, Artistic Director

Three girls.

All of William Shakespeare's words.

Lunacy, speed, flips, tricks, and stunts.

The Nickel Shakespeare Girls bring their own brand of comedy to the MD Renaissance Festival for the first time this season.  The troupe began at the North Carolina Festival in 1999 and have since played at many different festivals, events, at universities and the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Performing: October 2nd through October 24th.

www.nickelshakespearegirls.com

Liz Demery (Daisy), Cami St. Germain (DeeDee), Maureen Shanahan

The O’Danny girls are a harmonious trio that is ribald for your pleasure! They will regale you with harmony and lyrics that will tickle your funny bone - and other areas not fit for printing. “. . .a delightfully raunchy yet cleverly PG-13 trio of singers. . . “ washingtonpost.com
www.comedyindc.com

Cybele Pomeroy, Garrett Pomeroy, Alaina Pomeroy, Erin Tarpley

What’s going on? Silent shenanigans in the street! Whether on stilts, blowing fabulous bubbles or fooling around on the ground, Out of the Box is a visual treat. They are sure to delight your eyes and warm your heart in the pathways of Revel Grove.

 The Pub Sing

Photo courtesy of Neil Rothschild

The house band, the famous Pyrates Royale, welcomes you to end your day with an old-fashioned sing-along.  Enjoy music by the Pyrates and other fabulous musical guests.  And you never know which villager or royalty will drop by.  Don't miss the fun!   

6pm at the White Hart Tavern.

Mark Sieve, John Gamoke

One of the longest running and most successful acts in the history of renaissance festivals. Intense wit, flashy swordfights, and organic vegetables: the laughs come in waves, often at racetrack speed. Their comedy owes as much to Abbott and Costello as it does to Avon’s Bard. A gallant romp of hysterical fun.

Performing at the Royal Stage from October 9th to October 24th.

Brad Howard, Darcy Nair, Craig Williams, Damon Hersh, Ellie Cattle 

Since 1987, The Pyrates Royale has set the standard for comic singing pirate acts at festivals and events around the country. They play a mix of traditional and modern acoustic maritime music that rocks without being electric, sings without a string section and humors without a laugh track. 

 www.pyrates.com

Christopher Davis
Join England’s foremost tragedian, Ned Alleyn, for a stab at comedie! Lucky audience volunteers play leading roles in hysterically historical, interactive scenes. A plethora of school & corporate shows also available via www.renaissance-man.com

Performing 3 shows at the Lyric Stage, one show at the Gatehouse Stage.

Patrick Franz, JoNell Franz
Children are the stars of these shows. Six volunteers from the audience play the heros, heroines and villains in these classic tales narrated by Robin Hood himself! The entire audience gets to join in the fun by cheering, booing and adding sound effects to the stage action. Fun for kids of all ages. www.patfranz.com

 Performing 2 shows daily at the Gatehouse Stage, plus visit with Robin Hood and Maid Marian in the pathways!

Randy Wothke, Nelson Stewart, Jimmy Mitchell, Michael Kenny, Douglas MacRae, Lyric Todkill

Voted #1 out of bands from around the world to be the winners of the 1st Battle of the Celtic Bands, The Rogues have performed for over 1 million people. 8 albums; 7 combined world championships, 2 ASCAP awards; appearances in Las Vegas; a Hollywood film; and with the U.S. Air Force orchestra...the numbers show The Rogues are ready to take on the worlds of Celtic, rock, folk, and classical music.

 www.therogues.com  

Mike Rose, magic

Mike Rose, a.k.a. “The Magic Kinda Guy” has performed his comedy-magic show in 25 states and Canada, and is a longtime festival favorite.  His performances are interactive and are remembered for the quick wit and adroit by-play with the audience.  www.MikeRoseMagic.com

 Performing magic in the pathways on the Boardwalk area - near the Climbing wall on September 4th, 5th, and 6th.

Shakespeare’s Skum

“Absolute genius parodies of the Bard’s work” - City Paper.
“A side-slapping success” -Potomac News.

Are they comedians who also do Shakespeare, or are they actors who can actually do comedy? Yes.

Skummy fans are welcomed and encouraged to join our Facebook Group - Shakespeare's Skum- to stay up to date on all of our skummy activities. Please be our friend. Please. Not that we are desperate or anything.   http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25016116358

THIS SEASON'S SHOWS:

Henry the "V" and Shakespeare in Jeopardy! will be performed at the Globe Theatre. Macbeth In 20 Minutes or Less will be performed at the Gatehouse Stage.

Amazing Feats of Comedy is the description of this hilarious show for adults (and kids) which features outrageous stunts, juggling of dangerous knives, and the world’s only kilted high-wire walker performing directly over the audience. It is dangerously funny!
www.michaelrosman.com

Performing at the Fortune Stage all dates EXCEPT September 18th, October 2nd & 3rd.

Stephon Walker

Performing Magic weekend only - Sept. 4,5,6

Can you catch all the nerd references as Swami Yo performs unnatural acts of comedy with shattered glass, rusty nails, a staple gun, and 1 rubber chicken? Making the world safe for dweebs, dorks, and loveable losers: This ain't yo' daddy's danger/comedy show - its YoMAHmi's!   www.swamiyo.com  Rated PG

 It's Revel Grove vs. Tiddington in an actual tug of war competition.  Healthy, physically fit adults over 18 years of age can take part.  Using an internationally approved official tug of war rope, with the basic rules of real competition, we will hold at least 3 "pulls" in the Jousting arena.  Two for men, and one all-women.

Please note: Limit to 8 participants per team. Participants assume all risk in participation.  Participants must be wearing proper footwear and clothing to participate. They must be free of injury. All participants must abide by the rules governing the competition and obey all signals and calls of the judge.  Failure to do so could cause injury to themselves and team members, and may result in the participant being removed from the field.

4pm at the Jousting field (weather permitting)

Bill Wood

Folk Tales, Fariry Tales, Tall Tales and Personal Stories told in traditional style with lots of opportunities for the audience to join in through chants, sound effects, call and response and loads of just plain silliness.  Appropriate for families.
www.BillWoodStoryteller.com.

Performing at the Royal Pavilion and in the pathways from August 28th to September 26th.

Goodly children can be knighted by at our Royal Pavilion, located at the end of the boardwalk between the Climbing Wall and the Children's Play Area. Please note that due to the Royals busy schedule we must limit each knighting ceremony to 25 children.  Numbered tickets will be handed out 10 minutes prior to each ceremony, at the back of the audience seating at the Pavilion

THE SIX WIVES            

by Carolyn Speden

Directed by Tom Plott

Starring Stephanie Offutt (Catherine of Aragon), Nora Archrati (Anne Boleyn), Amy Davis (Jane Seymour), Paula Peterka (Anna of Cleves), Lisa Oberg (Catherine Howard), Mary Ann Jung (Katherine Parr)

The King has proposed marriage to Katherine Parr.  She would be his sixth wife...and the Queen of England.  But how can she accept? Her heart belongs to Sir Thomas Seymour, and the twice-widowed Katherine had hoped to finally marry for love.  But can she refuse the King?  Should she do her duty?

Who better to ask about the King as husband and lover than his previous five wives. All most certainly have opinions to give to the woman who may be the sixth wife!

4:30pm the Globe Theatre

Playwright's note: I have been toying with the idea of a show featuring all six of Henry's wives for many years.  What would they say to each other? And how would you structure a show - obviously some of the women are dead, and I don't want to do a ghost story.

I thought of the old television program, Steve Allen's "Meeting of Minds" in which various historical characters from all time periods gather for a round table discussion.

I've decided to use that approach - just ignore the fact that four of the women are dead. But I am giving all of them the opportunity to speak to each other.

For the history buffs, I will offer this disclaimer - I have researched, read, and written for these six famous women for more than twenty years.  I shall offer my interpretations on their personalities.  You may completely disagree.  I am not trying to present an educational lecture.  This is how I see these women after twenty years of trying to get inside their heads and their hearts. Enjoy!

Written by Mike Field, based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes.

Directed by John Sadowsky

Stage Manager: Liz Armour            

Fight Choreography: Geoff Thompson

Music composed by Adam Wyatt

Movement and Mask work by Michele Schultz

Musicians:  Bill and Cathy Palmer

Considered one of the greatest works of fiction ever published, Don Quixote was originally published in two volumes, a decade apart.  Book I appeared in 1605, and Book II in 1615. An immediate success, the volumes go from very medieval in feel to that of a modern novel.  Its cultural significance is felt in all of the art forms to this day– dance, music, theatre and art. 

This adaptation written expecially for the Renaissance Festival by Baltimore playwright Mike Field. 

We invite you to join the madcap adventures of a Spanish knight, his trusty but unlearned squire, and the memorable cast of characters he encounters in his quest for honor, love, fame and glory.

 Cast List

Don Quixote – a minor nobleman of La Mancha……Fred Nelson

Sancho Panza – A rustic peasant from La Mancha…..Brian H. Reynolds

Teresa Panza, his wife...................Nora Achrati

The Duke......................................Glenn Evans

The Duchess..................................Joy Evans

Nicolas the Barber..........................Casey Severn

Father Pedro..................................Brian Douglas

The Acting Troupe:  Dave Joria, Stephanie Offutt, Graham Pilato, Jack Powers, Heather Scheeler, John Dickson, Mary Schmidt Wakefield

PERFORMED AT  2PM AT THE GLOBE THEATRE.  RUNNING TIME:  80 MINUTES.

Production masks donated from the collection of TaskMaskers, Inc.  By creating, educating, and performing in mask, Taskmaskers seeks to reach people and evolve them through laughter and pathos. We believe that mask theater is one of the most challenging and creative forms of performance and strive to make mask theatre more acceptable and prevalent in today's theater community.  www.taskmaskers.com

The Human Chess Game 

Written and directed by Carolyn Spedden  

Fight Choreography by Jim Frank and Geoff Thompson

It's a wacky comedy. It's an amazing action show.  It's a chess game!!

It's Revel Grove vs. Tiddington as the rival villages battle it out in a match of wits.  An extra dimension - the pieces literally fight to take their spaces!

Rated PG – for stage combat violence. 

Performed at 12:30pm at the Globe Theatre

The Washerwomen present 

Laundry Basket Theatre      

Written by Carolyn Spedden

Directed by J. Owen Dickson

Starring Heather Sheeler, Nicole Mullins, Beth Braden

Purity, Penelope and Prudence - the Washerwomen - present clean tales tailored for the young and young at heart.  Kids of all ages will enjoy The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Mother Hulda, and The Golden Goose.  Each show is approximately 10 -12 minutes long, so perfect for the child who needs a show on a short wash cycle!

The Oxford Players

Directed by Jen Silber

Starring Michael Burgtorf, Graham Pilato and Brian Reynolds

The Oxford Players are a roving troupe of actors who come from the big city of Oxford to perform at Revel Grove's Harvest Festival. In addition to many entertainments in the pathways, these actors also present three scenes from Shakespeare's most memorable plays - the Wooing Scene from Taming of the Shrew, Falstaff avoiding his tavern tab from Henry IV, Part I, and the famous Pyramus & Thisby from A Midsummer Night's Dream.