GRSF Extra: The Daly News

Great River Shakespeare Festival actor Jonathan Gillard Daly, known to GRSF audiences for his work as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the title role in Richard III, among many others, will bring his play with music, The Daly News, to Winona for a special performance on Monday, July 13. All proceeds will benefit GRSF. This season Daly plays Prospero in The Tempest and Holofernes in Love’s Labour’s Lost. Gregg Coffin, composer of Love’s Labour’s Lost as well as 2005’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, collaborated on the music for The Daly News with Daly and Santa Maria, CA composer, Larry Delinger.

The Daly News tells the story of Martin Daly, Gillard Daly’s grandfather, who was a well-known Milwaukee banker. To keep his four sons connected to the family while they were serving in the military in World War II, Martin retired to the basement of the family home in Milwaukee each week where he edited and published a newsletter he called The Daly News. From 1943 to 1946, Martin mailed his weekly compilation of Milwaukee news and excerpts from his sons’ letters home to friends and other members of the family. Gillard Daly came across the newsletters years later and set to work turning them into a theatre piece, which was first performed at PCPA Theaterfest in California and later refined and adapted for production in the his family’s hometown, Milwaukee, WI.

July 13, 7:00 p.m. The Daly News: book and lyrics by Jonathan Gillard Daly, music by Gregg Coffin, Larry Delinger and Daly.

GRSF Apprentice and Intern Company: Hamlet

Another production to put on your calendar is the annual Apprentice and Intern production of Hamlet. The Apprentice and Intern Company play has been a popular ticket since its single performance in year one of the festival. In 2009, its production has expanded to five shows. The play is staged in WSU’s blackbox theater during the festival’s final week.

Hamlet

Tuesday, July 21, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 22, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 23, 3:00 p.m.
Friday, July 24, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25, 3:00 p.m.

Visit the Great River Shakespeare Festival for schedules and tickets: grsf.org