Top 10 Shakespeare Plays

We beg to differ, but listserve.com thinks "Hamlet" is William Shakespeare's best play (it would number 3 behind "Othello" and "Macbeth" on my list). For those who adore "Merchant of Venice," we should warn you in advance that it has been snubbed!

While researching this post, we came across a nifty blog called blogshakespearegeek.com which makes me wonder how people can focus on just one thing!

For those who reside in Virginia, The American Shakespeare Center in the Shenandoah Valley town of Staunton, Va., is currently performing "Henry V, Part 2," "Othello" and "Taming of the Shrew."

Cast members include James Keegan, Sarah Fallons and the adorable Ginna Hoben, who was great in "Othello" (I saw it when it first opened).

Here is the list, which all of you should memorize for your English quiz on Monday:

1) Hamlet (pictured above-Laurence Olivier)
2) Romeo and Juliet (is this the one with the unhappy ending?)
3) Henry V
4) Midsummer Night's Dream (we prefer the Woody Allen movie)
5) Macbeth (aka The Scotish Play)
6) Richard III
7) Julius Caesar (the man behind the salad)
8) 12th Night
9) Taming of the Shrew
10) Othello
8)

Quote of the Week-Shakespeare

"In time we hate the things we fear," William Shakespeare.

A performance of "Hamlet" gets underway at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Va., Dec. 26 @ 7:30 p.m.

Look for the presence of one John Pasha who was quite splendid in the troupe's production of "King Lear."

SIDEBAR: We're offering a quote from Charles Dickens on our sister blog Politics, Culture and Other Wastes of Time.

PERSONAL NOTE: I am going on hiatus (I hope!) until Dec. 9. Among other things I need to plan classes, write short plays and of course take care of all the holiday stuff. Email any entry ideas to tango74@aol.com

And, for those who are wondering, the man in this political cartoon is the son of George HW Bush, who was the subject of a recent quiz here. Along with Jimmy Carter, the elder Bush is 84 years old. Though we love to tease Dubya (when is that Greyhound leaving for Crawford, Tex.), we are glad Barbara Bush is recovering from a recent illness.