Experience excerpts from Shakespeare’s masterpieces brilliantly transformed into songs, pairing America’s essential art form—jazz—with the words of the quintessential British playwright—Shakespeare. Throughout the concert, audience members will actively participate in this engaging celebration of Shakespeare’s work, offering a new way to tap into his genius. Students leave empowered to examine the impact of language– whether they are Shakespeare’s words written over 400 years ago, or how we choose to talk to one another in our daily lives.

The music is composed by “stunningly original” pianist, Daniel Kelly, and it is performed by him and two other jazz musicians of the highest caliber.

“The experience, and I mean experience, of The Daniel Kelly Quartet performing Shakespeare in Jazz unlocked the language of Shakespeare for me through the soulful and playful rhythms of jazz. I was captivated! This show is a rare and unforgettable gift.”

— April Rhodes, Teaching Artist / McCallum Theatre, CA

“I didn’t even know I liked Shakespeare!”

— Audience member, Douglass Theatre, GA

Showtime: 1 hr.

Ages: Grades 5-12

Tickets:

$8/ticket, whether student or teacher/chaperone
For school groups only, including homeschool groups

Curriculum Connections:

Language Arts:
- Shakespeare, poetry, playwriting, textual comparisons, adapting language
Social Studies:
- History of the English language; history of theatre, poetry, and music; development of civilization and culture, including multicultural influences and the impact of artists.
Performing Arts:
- Responding and connecting to theatre and music; musical improvisation

This event is a co-promotion between the Fox Tucson Theatre and the Tucson Jazz Festival.