Yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago Marking 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy Saturday, April 23, 2016

CHICAGO, April 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In the midst of the world's largest yearlong celebration of Shakespeare bringing 850 events to more than 500,000 Chicagoans and visitors throughout 2016, Shakespeare 400 Chicago announces highlights for the 400^th Anniversary of Shakespeare's death on April 23, 2016, a date which also marks the playwright's 452^nd birthday. The world pays tribute to the playwright's remarkable legacy on this day—but nowhere with as much spirit as in Chicago. Culminating in a spectacular "Celebration of Shakespeare" Fireworks display over Lake Michigan set to a Shakespeare-inspired score, Shakespeare takes center stage in two signature Shakespeare 400 Chicago events on April 23: Riccardo Muti leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Chorus and internationally celebrated soloists in Verdi's Falstaff at Chicago's Symphony Center, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule serve as honorary co-chairs for an event that hosts the city's civic community at Chicago Shakespeare Theater featuring the "Spirit of Shakespeare" Award to honor ComEd President and CEO Anne Pramaggiore and a special guest performance by Tony, Olivier and Golden Globe winner Alan Cumming. Around the globe the occasion will be marked by Talk Like Shakespeare Day, a chance for individuals to celebrate Shakespeare's words online and in daily life.

Spearheaded by Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the yearlong festival unites 60 of the city's world-class institutions, and welcomes scores of leading artists from nations around the world including Australia, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom and beyond. Events spanning theater, opera, music, dance—even cuisine—celebrate, interpret and reimagine Shakespeare's work.

The April 23^rd festivities culminate in a dazzling display of fireworks that will light up the Chicago skyline over Lake Michigan from Navy Pier at 10:15 p.m. The show will be underscored by sweeping musical works inspired by Shakespeare. This special display in honor of Shakespeare's Quadricentennial will be the very first of Navy Pier's legendary Aon Firework shows of the season.  No other city in the United States plans to stage a spectacle of this magnitude in marking the occasion.

SOURCE Chicago Shakespeare Theater

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