News Release

Homewood House Museum, on the campus of The Johns Hopkins University, presents Shakespeare "Improved," a special al fresco production by Theatre Hopkins staged on Homewood's back porch.

Performances will be held two nights only at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. Reserved seating is $15. Lawn seating is $10 per person, or $20 for a family of two adults and their children under 18. Parking is available at the Homewood House parking lot on the Johns Hopkins University campus, 3400 N. Charles St., and Sunday evening only at the University Baptist Church lot on the east side of Charles Street. Rain location is the nearby Swirnow Theater in the Mattin Arts Center, also located on the Homewood campus. For reservations and additional information, the public should call 410-516-5589 or visit www.jhu.edu/historichouses.

Written and directed by Theatre Hopkins' artistic director, Suzanne Pratt, Shakespeare "Improved" presents scenes from Shakespeare's plays as they were revised to suit the tastes of later audiences. Pratt compiled the script from 17th and 18th century revisions of the Bard's works, including Macbeth, King Lear and Richard III. This family-oriented performance includes live music, period costumes and light-hearted commentary on the adaptations.

Theatre Hopkins' ensemble cast of 10 includes the Johns Hopkins University senior Kateri Chambers, whose Baltimore area appearances include the roles of Emily Webb in Our Town with the Hopkins Studio Players; Emily in Bluff with the Johns Hopkins University Theatre; Sarah in Stop Kiss with the Spotlighters Theatre; and Ophelia in the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival's current production of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead. Chambers also is an accomplished baroque flutist, performing regularly in the Peabody Renaissance Ensemble. Johns Hopkins sophomore Raffi Wartanian, a member of the university's Witness Theater; and WBJC-FM on-air personality Dyana Neal also are in the cast.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Homewood House was built in 1801 as a summer retreat for Charles Carroll Jr. and his bride, Harriet Chew Carroll. Its architecture and furnishings reflect the lifestyle of a wealthy and cosmopolitan young couple, and the house was a place where the Carrolls entertained their family and friends. Two centuries later, Homewood serves as an appropriate backdrop for this Theatre Hopkins production; Charles Carroll Jr. was a noted theater enthusiast and supporter.

Founded in 1921, Theatre Hopkins is the second-oldest theater group in Baltimore. Originally an extension of the English Department at the Johns Hopkins University, within 10 years it became a community-based, semi-professional theater housed by the university, performing for the Johns Hopkins community, alumni and the general public. Collaborating with an informal ensemble of adult actors and professional technical craftsmen, artistic director Suzanne Pratt believes the mission of Theatre Hopkins remains consistent with the purpose established at its inception in 1921: to showcase distinguished pieces of dramatic literature, drawn from both the classic and contemporary repertoire.

Homewood House Museum is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tours of Homewood are offered every half hour with the last tour beginning at 3:30 p.m. Museum admission is $6 for adults, $3 for students and children over 6 years of age, and $5 for seniors. Call 410-516-5589 or visit www.jhu.edu/historichouses for additional information.