GARDINER — Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center on Water Street will present the film “Richard3” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. 

The directors will present the film as part of the Food, Film & Conversation Series. 

The film is by Michael Miclon, the executive and artistic director of Johnson Hall. He is also the screenwriter, director and lead actor in Boo Dog Film’s latest production.

“Richard3” is a comedic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Richard III. It was shot all in Maine, from Fort Popham in Phippsburg to the former St. Patrick’s Church in Lewiston. It used only Maine actors, all of whom are classically trained physical comedy stage performers. The production also included more than 300 extras from all over Maine and New Hampshire.

Production on the film began in the summer of 2012. After two years of pre-production, plus a successful fundraising campaign through Kickstarter, Miclon and his team completed the film. “We had the great fortune to show the first-cut version of ‘Richard3’ to a sold-out crowd of 428 people at the Emerge Film Festival,” Miclon reports. “Since then, we have been sharpening our editing knives and have prepared this third cut to show at Johnson Hall.”

“Richard3” was created with a budget of $65,000 but it is not a low-budget film. Seasoned actors, costumers and filmmakers came together to create this project.

The story of the famed hunchback maniacal king who murders his way to the top surprisingly and easily lent itself to the absurd. Adding a twist or two to the original script and trimming away some of the less essential parts of the story, they created a script that told the story and utilized everything in their performing arsenal, from improvisation to juggling.

The program is part of the Food, Film & Conversation Series in partnership with the Gardiner Food Co-op & Cafe. Food can be ordered by calling the box office at the number below and will be waiting upon arrival for the show. Table seating will be available.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youth and are available at Johnson Hall’s box office from noon to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; at 207-582-7144; or at www.johnsonhall.org.

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center on Water Street in Gardiner will present the film “Richard3” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. The presentation is part of the Food, Film & Conversation Series. 

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