Atlanta’s New American Shakespeare Tavern
Theater lovers can enjoy dinner and a play at New American Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta. The British pub atmosphere gives an air of authenticity to the evening, as the public feels transported to the Elizabethan era. American Shakespeare Tavern recently became the first theater company in the country to have performed all 39 of Shakespeare’s plays.
The theater has 200 seats arranged on three levels. Main floor and box seats are at tables, while balcony seats are at chairs only. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis within each seating area. Performances are on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm Sunday shows begin at 6:30 pm Ticket prices vary depending on the day and seating level chosen. Prices start at $15 for balcony seating on Thursdays and Sundays.
The theater offers an authentic British pub menu with favorites such as steak pie, Cornish pasty and oven roasted salmon. There are also soups, salads and sandwiches. Drinks include cocktails, premium beers, wine, and soft drinks. The menu changes with every other production. Ticket holders can begin purchasing food 75 minutes before performances. Food and drinks are not included in the tickets. No food is sold during the performance, but desserts and drinks are available during intermission.
The current production at New American Shakespeare Tavern is Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, which runs through May 27, 2012. This comic adaptation includes favorite tales such as The Miller’s Tale, The Nun’s Tale and The Merchant’s Tale. Two additional productions are scheduled for the summer season. As you like it will be presented from May 31 to July 1. Shakespeare’s romantic comedy takes place in a forest setting, where several young men have been banished. The costumes hide the true identity of some, as their love stories intertwine. Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is scheduled from July 5 to 29. A shipwreck, mistaken identities, and romance combine to make this one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies.
Atlanta’s New American Shakespeare Tavern is located at 499 Peachtree Street NE in the center of the city. Recommended parking is available directly across the street from the theater in the Emory University Hospital Midtown parking pad. Street parking is very limited in the area. Handicapped parking and entrance is located behind the theater on Renaissance Parkway. Tickets must be purchased in advance online or at the theater box office. Shows on Friday and Saturday tend to sell out. There is a waiting list for sold-out shows. Canceled tickets are generally released at 5:00 pm on the day of the performance.