Shakespearean production on outdoor stage

As Elizabethan music played softly from stage speakers, students and Bloomington residents gathered their lawn chairs in Third Street Park Friday evening for the second installment of the Monroe County Civic Theater's "Shakespeare in the Park" series. \nAudience members of all ages situated themselves for the opening performance of "Pericles, Prince of Tyre." Some munched on picnic dinners and pizza while others lounged on the lawn to read their programs as they waited for the show to begin.\n"Pericles, Prince of Tyre" is one of the last plays Shakespeare wrote and is rarely performed, according to a press release. It follows the many tribulations of Pericles, played by senior John Benman, a prince from the city of Tyre who flees his hometown when he uncovers a terrible secret about the woman he was hoping to marry. Its plot is based on an adventure story written by 14th-century English author John Gower.\nThe play revolves around the plight of Pericles and his noble family but also features a colorful cast of knights, servants, sailors and countrymen. Bloomington residents account for most of the actors in the \nproduction.\nKim Foust came to the park to see her teenage daughter's friend perform. It was the first time she had seen a Monroe County production in several years. \n"I don't know much Shakespeare, so I didn't know what they were saying some of the time," she said, "but the play was very nice." \nAdditional performances of "Pericles, Prince of Tyre" will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 and Sunday, Sept. 23 at Third Street Park, located behind the Bloomington Police Department on Third Street. \nAdmission is free.