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As during summers past, GreenStage, with sponsorship from Seattle Parks, KUOW, The Stranger, KEXP, and many others, will be performing Shakespeare at parks throughout the city in July and August. These plays are part of Greenstage’s Backyard Bard series, which features abbreviated versions of the original plays. So if the kids get a little restless, well, it won’t be for too long.

We are fortunate to once again have a couple of performances at Wallingford Playfield. Performances are free; no tickets or reservations required.

• The Taming of the Shrew, Friday, July 18, 7:00 pm
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Saturday, July 19, 7:00 pm

There are additional performances of these plays nearby (e.g., Woodland Park). Check the full schedule for these.

Here is a brief description of each play from the GreenStage website:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Deep in an enchanted forest, feuding fairy royalty meddle with lovesick mortals, causing hearts to tangle and affections to go hilariously astray. A mischievous sprite named Puck sprinkles a bit too much fairy dust, leading to donkey-headed suitors, bewitched lovers, and a delightfully absurd play within a play. Enchantments unravel and true love is tested, culminating in a whirlwind of magic, mischief, and romance.

The Taming of the Shrew: Sharp-tongued Kate wants nothing to do with marriage, but the bold and mischievous Petruchio is determined to win her. As he matches her wit with outrageous antics, their romance turns into a hilarious war of words, wills, and mind games. Meanwhile, Kate’s sweet younger sister, Bianca, has a line of eager suitors—but she can’t marry until her “shrewish” sister is wed. What follows is a chaotic mix of disguises, tricks, and unexpected twists.