Out of doors theater is a favourite native custom, and theaters in and round Chicago are bringing loads of reveals to parks across the space. Bonus: Many of those reveals are free. Prepared your blankets, picnic baskets and summer time drinks — listed below are eight performances below the celebs to take a look at this summer time.
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‘Love’s Labour’s Misplaced,’ offered by Midsommer Flight
By means of Aug. 3 at six Chicago parks
This Shakespearean comedy reveals us a king and his noble companions who vow to swear off girls for 3 years — till they’re visited a short while later by a ravishing princess and her ladies-in-waiting.
The native nonprofit Midsommer Flight is in its twelfth yr of bringing the Bard to parks round Chicago. Reveals are carried out in pure daylight with no amplified sound. These totally staged productions are free to the general public, however audiences are inspired to convey chairs, blankets and snacks.
After greater than a decade staging Shakespeare within the park, Midsommer Flight has developed a knack for making the Bard accessible to vast audiences. If they should diversify casting or change a number of phrases to make the dialogue extra digestible, no drawback. They goal to make the reveals as pleasurable — and comprehensible — as potential. Free.
‘A Midsummer Night time’s Dream,’ offered by Chicago Shakespeare Theater
July 10–Aug. 17 at parks all through Chicago
One other Shakespeare rom-com will tour domestically this summer time, backed by town’s venerable Shakespeare Theater. The performances — in parks, road festivals and outside inexperienced areas — are a fast 45 minutes and spin a fantastic story of 4 younger lovers, a naughty fairy and a play inside the play. It’s a bite-sized model of a traditional, excellent for households and for a summer time day. Free.
Broadway in Your Yard, offered by Porchlight Theatre
July 14–23 at six Chicago parks
Everybody loves a musical, however the tickets for a downtown present might be costly and musicals within the suburbs generally is a far haul. No want to fret: Porchlight, one of many metropolis’s premier corporations producing musicals, has you lined with its fifth annual summer time outside musical sequence.
This season’s performances are directed by Michael Weber, with musical path by Linda Madonia and a star flip by native actor Tafadzwa Diener (“The Sound of Music” at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, “Something Goes” at Porchlight). Count on a slate of hit songs from Broadway and Hollywood musicals together with “Hamilton,” “The Wiz,” “Good day, Dolly!,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility” and “Toy Story.” Free.
‘The Queen’s Museum,’ offered by Citadel Theatre
July 17–20 at Lake Forest Open Lands, 350 N. Waukegan Highway, Lake Forest
That is an outside musical made for households. A queen is gathering her private artifacts for an exhibit when a grasping band of pirates enters the realm. They usually don’t simply plunder — they dance.
The 930 acres of native landscapes at Lake Forest Open Lands present an excellent backdrop for a musical a couple of monarchy and pirates. Tickets are $20.
‘E book Up!,’ offered by the Goodman Theatre and the Chicago Division of Cultural Affairs and Particular Occasions
July 23–Aug. 10 at parks all through Chicago
Described as a “circus-inspired” efficiency for youngsters ages 5 and youthful, “E book Up!” follows a touring librarian with a magical ebook cart. The hourlong efficiency is adopted by an interactive workshop for little ones. Every park can have two showings a day, at 9:30 a.m. and at 11:30 a.m. The manufacturing is free to the general public; households are inspired to convey blankets and chairs.
“E book Up!” is one a part of Goodman Theatre’s one centesimal birthday celebration and the launch of a “100 Free Acts of Theater” sequence that can proceed all through the season. Free.
Broadway in Chicago Summer season Live performance
Aug. 11 on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park
This annual live performance brings sounds from fashionable musicals to the stage for one summer time evening. The 2025 highlights consists of songs from “Parade” (which may even be displaying on the CIBC Theatre), “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Elf the Musical” and “MJ the Musical,” which opens the next evening on the Nederlander Theatre. Audiences who get a sneak peek on the King of Pop will for certain depart dancing within the park. Free.
‘Ice Cream Circus!,’ offered by Lookingglass Theatre
Aug. 17–24 at 5 Chicago parks
This occasion is a part of Chicago Park District’s Night time Out within the Parks. Lookingglass will companion with Actors Gymnasium to current an outside present that blends theater with circus arts and magic. The present is for all ages and is offered with none spoken language. Free.
‘The Winter’s Story,’ offered by Wheaton Park District
Aug 28–30, at Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave., Wheaton
There appears to be a theme right here: Shakespeare within the park this summer time is stuffed with romantic comedies.
“The Winter’s Story” follows a jealous king who accuses his spouse of getting an affair together with his greatest pal. Come early to this free manufacturing within the western suburbs for a preshow puppet present. Free.
Mike Davis is WBEZ’s theater reporter. Contributing: Camila Trimberger-Ruiz, WBEZ.
