The Arts Beat is a weekly deep-dive into Memphis arts, music, dance, theater, fashion, film and events. Keep scrolling for a roundup of the best arts and culture stories from the week. Have a story idea? Send it to eperry@dailymemphian.com.

Two weeks ago, the Arts Beat highlighted seven William Shakespeare-related productions upcoming in Memphis. 

Despite including events spanning fashion, theater and dance, we still missed a few.

One of the plays being produced inspired the earlier column’s title: “As You Like It.”

A musical adaptation of the play is part of the University of Memphis’ Department of Theatre & Dance’s 2025-26 season. The production will take place Feb. 26-28, 2026, and Feb. 28-March 1, 2026, at the college’s Humphreys Theater Building main stage. 

(The theater building is located on Central Avenue.)

Written by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery, with music and lyrics by Taub, the adaptation is described as “part Shakespeare, part block party, 100% heart.”

Nathan Thomas directs.

The department’s season opened Thursday, Sept. 25, with the play “As It Is in Heaven” by Arlene Hutton.

The season includes a faculty and guest choreographed concert called “Home” in October; “Chicago” in November; “Emerge,” the annual new student dance works show in April 2026; and “The Night Witches” by Rachel Bublitz in April 2026.

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There’s still more Shakespeare to be had.

Germantown Community Theatre’s 54th season includes a production of “Julius Caesar” with an all-female cast.

The production takes place April 24-May 3, 2026, in the organization’s 98-seat theater on Forest-Hill Irene Road in Germantown.

The theater’s advertisement for the show notes that, in Shakespeare’s text, Caesar says, “I have a man’s mind but a woman’s might.” 

“This powerful dramatization of the catastrophic consequences of a political leader’s extension of power beyond constitutional confines carries deeper impact through an all-female lens,” the theater’s website goes on to read.

Meghan Lisi Lewis directs.

On Sunday, April 26, 2025, a sensory-friendly performance will take place, featuring a sign language interpreter. 

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