Amelia Blackwood

Review of Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Every Montgomery man, woman, son & daughter should...

Every Montgomery man, woman, son & daughter should take pride in the not-so-widely-known fact it is our fair city (ahem) our Capital of Dreams who has graciously hosted as the permanent home of the Shakespeare Festival since it s move in 1985 to Montgomery from Anniston where first founded in 1972 and despite several doubtful skeptics, is where it grew to garner critical acclaim though sadly lacked financial support necessary to keep it afloat. It is with much thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Winton Blount and their generosity gift of creating what in 1985 valued at $21.5-million performing-arts complex set on 250-acres of landscaped park open to the public, the Winton M. Blount Cultural Park. The Carolyn Blount Theatre stands grandly though looks nestled neatly into the rolling hills of this lovely park yet still seats 792 for the main Festival Stage & seats an additional 225 in the secondary Octagon Theatre. Most importantly it is because of this outstanding gift of culture & community that has made Montgomery the proud & picturesque third largest Shakespearean theatre in the world today.