Sterling Renaissance Festival continues - Entertainment - Rome Observer

STERLING — After walking into the Sterling Renaissance Festival, guests are transitioned to the year 1585 and the spirit of Warwick, England. Visitors enter a Renaissance world of discovery and adventure, a place of pleasure, creativity and enchantment.

To create this illusion, a cast of professional entertainers invents a zany cross-section of characters from lords, ladies, beggars, wenches, minstrels and even Queen Elizabeth herself. While remaining true to their characters in dress, mannerism and dialect, the talented troupe provides over 100 stage acts and street performances daily.

While scheduled performances of live Shakespearean comedy, spectacular jousting, pageantry, swordplay, comedy, and the timeless grace and beauty of Elizabethan and Celtic music and dance await, many special performances and surprises are purely spontaneous.

The festival’s 40-member professional acting company, the Bless the Mark Players, provide the serendipitous happenings that make you feel as though you have just stepped into Shakespeare’s backyard. The troupe is cast through national auditions that take place each spring.

Approximately 2,000 actors are auditioned for the 40 roles in the troupe. The group is lead by Gary Izzo, creative director, veteran Disney Show director and author of "The Art of Play" and "Acting Interactive Theatre."

After many weeks of full-time rehearsal and training, they employ their considerable skill in comic improvisation and interactive theatre to weave a tapestry of captivating encounters with visitors that is sure to loosen their grip on the 21st Century.

The Bless the Mark Players also present scheduled scenarios throughout the day designed to include the visitor such as, the Opening Ceremonies, Trial and Dunke, Human Chess Match, and Wench and Bloke auctions. They are also joined by independent performing groups.

The Bless the Mark Players will also perform at The Wyldwoode Theatre, on the festival grounds. Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" and a Commedia Del’Arte will be performed each day in one of upstate New York's only outdoor Shakespearean theaters.

The Sterling Renaissance Festival, presented by Empire Attractions, is located at the Sterling Festival Grounds in Sterling, N.Y., just 45 minutes north of Syracuse and just west of Oswego. Festival dates are Saturdays and Sundays only, July 3 through Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine. Free parking is available. No pets allowed. For festival details, discount ticket information, driving directions and important notices regarding special events, call 1-800-879-4446 or visit:

via www.romeobserver.com