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Island Shakespeare Festival’s 16th Summer Season Celebrates Fearless Women

Contact: patricia.duff@islandshakespearefest.org

Photo#1: Carmen Cecilia Retzer as Beatrice and Hannah Nguyen as Hero, in Island Shakespeare Festival’s “Much Ado About Nothing” directed by Chad Dexter Kinsman. ISF photo.

Photo #2: Christopher Atchison as Claudio, Brandon Dion Gregory as Don Pedro, Alyssa Keene as Leonato, Carmen Retzer as Beatrice and Hannah Nguyen as Hero, in Island Shakespeare Festival’s “Much Ado About Nothing” directed by Chad Dexter Kinsman. ISF photo.

July 11, 2025

Island Shakespeare Festival in Langley Opens Its 16^th Summer  Season July 18

Whidbey Island, Wash. — Island Shakespeare Festival (ISF) is thrilled to announce its 16th annual summer season, celebrating fearless women who challenge the status quo, redefine the rules, and claim their own destinies. The season features two extraordinary productions—William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and Amelia Rosselli’s rarely staged Anima (roughly translated from the Italian to Her Soul)—running in repertoire from July 18 through August 31. Evening performances begin at 6 p.m., with matinees at 1 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Much Ado About Nothing: Wit, Honor and Unexpected Love

Shakespeare’s beloved comedy Much Ado About Nothing comes alive under the direction of Chad Kinsman, who transports the story to 1990s Italy. Inspired by the music and television of the era—think MTV, Nirvana, and Beverly Hills, 90210—Kinsman reimagines this timeless tale through the lens of 20-somethings navigating the tumultuous bridge between adolescence and adulthood.

“This play is a celebration of independence, intelligence, and the courage to embrace life on one’s own terms,” says Kinsman.

The sharp-tongued Beatrice and Benedick engage in a spirited battle of wits and hearts, while Hero, Beatrice’s gentle cousin, faces a trial of public shame and betrayal. Through deception, honor, and the unexpected twists of love, the women of  Much Ado About Nothing carve their own paths in a society eager to define their roles.

“In the actors’ script, ‘Love’ is spelled with a capital L because, for all our emphasis on reason and security, Love is a real force in the world of Much Ado About Nothing,” says Kinsman. “It is strange and wild and often imperfect, but it is also a path to change, growth and fulfillment.” 

Anima (Her Soul): A Rare Gem of the Stage

Set in the layered elegance of 1890s Rome, Amelia Rosselli’s Anima tells the story of Olga de Velaris, a painter navigating the societal constraints of reputation, desire and survival. Amid a world that demands conformity, Olga defiantly declares, “You can't have my soul.”

Anima is a powerful, rarely staged drama that lays bare the tension between self-determination and the longing for connection, revealing that love—when truly seen—does not have to mean surrender. Slightly Chekhovian and most-likely one of the earliest plays that takes on #MeToo themes with nuance and heart, this disarming and award-winning play is a rewarding dive into one woman's quest to find her true place in love and in the world.

Directed by Emily Lyon, Anima presents a striking portrayal of love as a revolutionary act. Olga’s journey reminds us that even as the world imposes its limits, we still hold the power to choose who we share our souls with.

“Olga says basically let me get what I can while stuck in this weird masculine society; but you can't have my soul. I refuse to give that to you,” says Lyon. “This play is all about that; that we still have our own souls and we get to choose who we share our souls with.”

This summer, ISF invites audiences to witness the compelling stories of women who refuse to settle. From Olga’s determined artistry in Anima to Beatrice’s fierce independence in Much Ado About Nothing, both productions resonate with the universal desire for selfhood and connection. Join us on Whidbey Island for a season of theater that captivates, empowers and inspires.

The outdoor venue, located at 5476 Maxwelton Road in Langley, offers a unique theater experience surrounded by forest. The house opens an hour before each performance, welcoming audiences to explore a wine and beer garden, as well as concessions provided by Salinity in the lobby, affectionately called Henry the Tent. (Bring a sunhat, sunglasses and wear layers for sunset; shows go up rain or shine. Plan your visit here: https://www.islandshakespearefest.org/Plan-Your-Visit.html).

The festival operates on a Pay-What-You-Will basis, with reserved seating available for $36. Get tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.com/island-shakespeare-festival.

Extra Event:

Shakes & Bakes: Get your head in the game and get pie!
Every Thursday and Sunday during our Summer Season, we invite you to join us at 5 pm, one hour before the evening's curtain goes up, for a pre-show primer!

Shakes & Bakes is a 25-minute primer to cover the major characters and themes of the evening's performance, so that you can watch with confidence. Activity sheets will be available for the younger theater goers, who might not be ready for a talk style event, so that their grown-ups can relax and listen. Whether you are new to classic theatre or a Shakespeare regular, all will enjoy this fun and informative road map to the story you are about to see!

The education is also Pay-What-You-Will, and for a small fee you can enjoy a slice of delicious pie from the popular Whidbey Pies while you listen! Learning has never tasted so good. Reserve your spot here: https://www.ticketsource.com/island-shakespeare-festival.