Ronnie Bell, executive director of the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival, offers his top reasons to see a Western-themed production of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," which plays at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Aug. 18 to 20 and at 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 21 in the Thornden Park Amphitheater. Admission is free. Call 476-1835 for more information.

10) You get to see Shakespeare in the same outdoor setting he first presented his plays.

9) This is the ninth consecutive year the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival is presenting free family friendly Shakespeare fun in Thornden Park.

8) You are encouraged to bring a picnic, blankets and lawn chairs.

7) Syracuse Shakespeare Festival is presenting “Two Gentlemen of Verona” in 1870s American Western style.

6) You can bring the whole family because Syracuse Shakespeare Festival has a Kids Area with beach balls, bubbles and prizes for those 10 and younger whose attention might wander.

5) You can sit in the sun or the shade, or both.

4) There's musical entertainment before the show and at intermission.



3) If you are hungry, you can buy barbecue from John John's Cooker and ice cream from Gannon's Isle.

2) The playbill gives a great synopsis of the show and you’ll laugh your codpiece off.

1) The whole experience lasts two hours and you might win the 50/50 raffle.

» Syracuse Shakespeare Festival announces 2011-2012 season [syracuse.com]

» My inspiration: Ronald Bell combines love of theater, Thornden for Syracuse Shakespeare Fest [syracuse.com]

