Our 2024 Summer production in Deering Oaks Park, Portland, Maine was:

LOVE'S LABOR'S LOST

directed by Katelyn Manfre

Welcome to the beautiful island of Navarre! The King and three of his lords have forsworn the company of women and dedicated themselves to their studies - just as the Princess of France arrives on business with her three ladies in tow. Rich characters, lively original music, and wild wordplay abound in this fast-paced comedy perfect for a summer night.

Bring a chair, pack a picnic, and join us for Shakespeare in Deering Oaks Park as this beloved Fenix tradition returns for its 16th season in Portland, Maine!

Don't miss this energetic production, featuring a talented cast of 8 local Maine actors and original songs by Paul Fidalgo.

July 11 - August 3

Thursday July 11 at 6:30pm

Friday July 12 at 6:30pm

Saturday July 13 at 6:30pm

Thursday July 18 at 6:30pm

Friday July 19 at 6:30pm

Saturday July 20 at 6:30pm

Sunday July 21 at 6:30pm (rain date added)

Wednesday July 24 at 6:30pm

Thursday July 25 at 6:30pm

Friday July 26 at 6:30pm

***NO SHOW SATURDAY JULY 27***

Thursday August 1 at 6:30pm

Friday August 2 at 6:30pm

Saturday August 3 at 6:30pm

FREE TICKETS

To reduce cost barriers for our community members, we operate on a donate-what-you-can model rather than charging a ticket fee. We gratefully accept cash/check donations in the Park on each show night, or you can donate online at any time using the button below - which will take you to our season fundraising hub. Thank you for your support!

DONATE NOW

FAQ

PLOT & CHARACTER GUIDE

Meet the Cast

Megan Cross (she/her)

Maria/Costard

This is Megan’s second show with Fenix, having played Malvolio in Twelfth Night this past Christmas. Megan’s favorite roles include Agatha in The Moors (Dramatic Repertory Company), Jean Brodie in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Portland Players), and Kia in The Last Schwartz (Marin Theatre Company). Special thanks to dialect coach Nolan Ellsworth.

Hannah Daly (she/her)

The Princess of France

Hannah Daly is a Portland-based actor who is glad to be back in the park for another beautiful summer. Favorite credits include Belle/Fred's Wife in A Christmas Carol (Portland Stage), The Moorhen in The Moors (Dramatic Repertory Company), Margaret/Verges in Much Ado About Nothing (Opera House Arts), and Emmy in A Doll's House Part Two (Good Theater). Film: Downeast, Nice People. Training: BFA in Acting from Syracuse University, Shakespeare's Globe, Tepper Semester. Big time love to Nolan & Birdie.

Paul Fidalgo (he/him)

Longaville/Boyet/Holofernes & Music Director

In the Long Long Ago, Paul worked for 10 years as a professional stage actor and musician. During five years in repertory with the American Shakespeare Center in Virginia, he played a wide variety of roles, wrote original music, and served as music director for several productions. In recent years, he has directed nine productions for the UNE Players including Clue, Chicago, and Into the Woods. Paul holds a master’s degree in political management from George Washington University. In 2023, after a way-too-long absence, Paul finally returned to the stage playing Erik Blake in The Humans, Pirelli in Sweeney Todd (both at Schoolhouse Arts), and Sir Andrew in Fenix's 12th Night (where he was also the band's guitarist). Most importantly, Paul is the father of two incredibly ridiculous and amazing children.

Zack Handlen (he/him)

The King of Navarre

Zack Handlen is a Portland-based writer and actor. He recently joined Fenix Theatre as a board member and is currently spending his time freelancing, editing a novel, and looking for a full time job. Zack is thrilled to be back in the park for another Fenix show: previous roles of note include Alonso in The Tempest (Fenix); the titular barber in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Schoolhouse); Mad Hatter in Waiting for Alice (Mad Horse); and many others.

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Jonas Maines (he/him)

Dumaine/Don Armado

Jonas Maines is an Augusta-based actor and writer, performing for the first time with Fenix. He received his BA in Performing Arts from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2019, and has since worked professionally for both the screen and stage in Austin and Chicago. Since returning to Maine in the winter of last year, he has appeared in numerous productions across Central Maine; recent performances include Last Gas (Nat Paradis), Head Over Heels (Ensemble), Murder on the Orient Express (Col. Arbuthnot) and several workshop productions at the Emery Arts Center. Notable past credits include Hamlet (Hamlet), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Christopher), Gruesome Playground Injuries (Doug) and more.

Jonas is honored and privileged to work alongside such talented artists, and to have learned so much from each of them.

Kat Moraros (she/they)

Rosaline/Mote/Sir Nathaniel

Kat is a queer multi-hyphenate theater artist and volunteer Fenix Board Member who is proud to be working with Maine theaters again after a few years living and performing extensively in Chicago and the midwest. Maine credits include work with Portland Stage, Theater at Monmouth, Good Theater, Mad Horse, Children's Theater of Maine, Dramatic Repertory Company, and more. Training: Bates College, London Dramatic Academy, Black Box Academy. Up next: Kevin O'Leary's newest play, God Less America at the Portland Stage Studio space in October 2024. Thanks to Kate for her thoughtful direction, to this talented cast for their playfulness and talent, and to you for joining us. @katmoraros @katmorarosphotography

Luke Myers (he/him)

Berowne

Luke is new to Portland and grateful to play with Fenix this summer. Recently with Penobscot Theatre Company in Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play (Sam/Mr. Burns), California credits include PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre, SLO Rep, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Shotgun Players, Berkeley Playhouse, Capital Stage, Town Hall and Poltergeist Theatre Project. Minnesota credits include Full Circle Theatre and Open Eye Figure Theatre. Training: PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre and UMN/Guthrie BFA. Luke produces biennially with the global initiative Climate Change Theatre Action.

Sarabell Wrigley (she/her)

Katherine/Jaquenetta

Regional: I Love You Because (Diana), Spring Awakening (Wendla), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), South Pacific (Liat), Merrily We Roll Along (Meg), Taming of the Shrew (Tranio), Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania). Costume Design and Construction: A Doll's House Part 2 (Berkshire Theatre Award Nominee), Angels in the Park (Dublin Fringe Award Nominee), Boeing Boeing, Exit the King, Adam and Evie, Riverdance. Film/TV: Mandalorian Season 2, Greyhound, Top Gun: Maverick. Love to Phoenix.