Festival! Stratford 2011 Begins Tonight

Ready your lawn chairs, Stratford, it's time for festival.

Festival! Stratford 2011 begins its celebration of the visual and performing arts tonight with a performance by Stratford's only resident Shakespeare company, The Players at Putney Gardens.

All activities will be held on the grounds of the Festival Theatre, located at 1850 Elm St.

Click here for a full listing of events scheduled for this year's festival.

Over the past week and a half, Stratford Patch, with the help of the festival's executive producer Jeffrey Lapham, has previewed certain events at the 6th annual Festival! Stratford. Below is a list of the events that were highlighted. Click on the hyperlink to read the preview.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream"

"Tymon of Athens"

The Stratford Arts Guild

"The Jungle Book"

The Players at Putney Gardens

Broadway Meets the Bard

Community Theatre

Lapham told Stratford Patch a couple weeks ago that he believed this year's performances to have more "richness" and "quality" than years before.

However, the festival's success is ultimately dependent on those that attend, he said, adding that locals and out-of-towners alike take their festival seriously, and it benefits everyone involved. 

"This is an incredibly receptive community with such an affinity for the storied history of the theatre," Lapham said. "Their energy feeds the performers, producers -- everyone involved." 

Will you be attending this year's Festival! Stratford? Tell us in the comments section below.