'Shakespeare In The Park' Series Draws Crowds To Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - His plays were written more than 400 years ago, but William Shakespeare is still drawing big crowds in Royal Oak this week.

Water Works Theatre Founder and Executive Director Ed Nahhat says there's something special about enjoying Shakespeare In The Park.

"There's something, you know, riveting about being able to enjoy a show outdoors in nature — with the open sky, the sunset, the stars above and the moon — while you're watching listening to the greatest playwright and poet of the English language."

Nahhat believes Shakespeare's works —written around the year 1600 — remain relevant in 2014.

"My wife is a fifth grade teacher, and I visited her class this year, and I told them the story of 'Hamlet' ...and you know what they said? 'That sounds just like 'The Lion King'!' And it is!" Nahhat said. "The plot's about the father, the uncle and the son revenging the father. These things are timeless plots that still inform our entertainment and culture today."

Waterworks Theatre is performing "Hamlet" and "The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare Abridged" (37 plays in one!) through Sunday, Aug. 10,  at Star Jaycee Park in Royal Oak.

Get a show scheduled, ticket details and more information at this link.