Text: Julie Schwietert Collazo
Photos: Francisco Collazo
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Perhaps it wasn’t coincidence that I spent the past two summers away from New York City.

I’d become disenchanted with summer in the city, cranky with crowds and disgusted by the fetid smell of the subway between June and August. Even the summer activities I’d once loved here and waited all year to enjoy–the free movies, concerts, and performances–had lost their appeal.

Summer’s been slow to arrive this year; it seems like it just showed up this week. For this reason, it’s been easier to be here, and at seven months pregnant, it’s probably not smart to stray too far from home.

Fortunately, this summer also offers a few new activities and escapes, both in the city and out. We’ll be featuring several of them on Collazo Projects over the next few weeks, outlining an itinerary for those of you who live in or near the city, and posting photos and reviews of the experiences for those of you who can only enjoy them from afar. Today we bring you the first one in our series: the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

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What It Is:
The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival is one of the country’s many summer Shakespeare events. Held outside at the Boscobel estate in Garrison, New York, the festival dates back to 1987. The 2009 season kicked off on June 16 and runs through September 6, with shows offered every day except Monday. This year’s productions include “Pericles,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and “The Complete Works of Shakespeare {Abridged}.” The full calendar can be found here.

Why You’ll Enjoy It:
If the weather’s right, the outdoor setting at Boscobel allows for enjoyment of much more than the play itself. Get to the town of Cold Spring early and wander up Main Street, which is lined with antique shops and boutiques.

If you’re coming up after work, be sure to get to Boscobel by 6 PM at the latest– you’ll have just enough time to walk around the grounds of the estate. Be sure to bring your camera- Boscobel is perched high on a hill overlooking the Hudson River.

If you can get there earlier, so much the better. Boscobel’s grounds open at 5 PM. You’ll have time to spread a picnic blanket on the soft grass and relax before show time.

Festival staff start requesting picnic clean-up around 6:30 PM. “Curtain” time is at 7.

The show is outdoors under a tent; the setting is intimate. After adjusting yourself to the outdoor acoustics, you’ll enjoy the spirited acting of the company, many of whose members are making their second, third, or fourth festival appearance. We saw “Much Ado About Nothing,” which was packed with laughs.

How to Go:
You could drive–a good option if you’re going up on the weekend and want to do some more leisurely exploring of the Hudson Valley region. It’s a mostly straight shot up Route 9.

You’d be better off, though, taking Metro North’s Hudson Line train from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan to the Cold Spring depot just a couple miles away from Boscobel. You won’t be sitting in bumper to bumper traffic during rush hour; instead, snag a window seat and enjoy the scenery as the train heads north with river views the whole way.

The ride is about 70 minutes. Be sure you choose a train to Poughkeepsie that makes a stop in Cold Spring!

If you take the train, make an advance reservation for the Festival’s shuttle bus (“Bard Bus”) service, which will pick you up at the depot, take you to Boscobel, and bring you back again afterward.

You can make a Bard Bus reservation by calling 845-265-9575. The cost per person is $6.00. When you exit the Metro North train, continue walking down the platform in the same direction the train is heading. At the far end of the platform, you’ll exit at the depot, which is on the corner of Depot and Main Streets. The shuttle will pick you up right there, and is clearly identifiable.

Travel tip: If you do take Metro North, be aware that peak hour ticket prices differ from off-peak prices. PM peak prices going north go into effect on the 4:01 train; if you catch the 3:50 train, your ticket will be a few dollars cheaper. Go ahead and buy a round trip ticket to avoid any problems on your return journey.

What to Know:

If you don’t want to pack your own picnic, the Festival offers a concession stand with pre-made wraps (featuring, among others, the Twelfth Night Turkey and Hamlet Ham and Cheese), chips, cookies, popcorn, ice cream, beer, wine, water, and soda. If you plan ahead, you can also order a gourmet picnic, choosing among these six options: sliced chicken breast, pear, blue cheese and walnut salad; vegetarian salad trio, assorted cheeses with prosciutto, fresh fruit, hummus, and pita chips; grilled tandoori chicken breast served with Asian noodles and cole slaw; Thai beef salad with sesame noodles; or roasted salmon with dill sauce and a summer salad. If you prefer this option visit the Festival’s website to pre-order your picnic, which can be picked up at the concession stand upon your arrival.

You can photograph and video the grounds, but no photography or video is allowed during the show.

Tickets can be ordered online or by calling the box office at 845-265-9575. Prices range from $30-$46, depending on the day of the show. Discounts are offered to seniors and students; children 12 and under get a half-price ticket any night except Saturday. No children under 5 are admitted to performances, however. If you’re planning to take the family, you might want to visit on July 7, 14, or 22, when the Festival offers a family night special: $80 for a family of four.