I had the opportunity to check out Shakespeare on the Common w/a friend this past weekend, and it was wonderful! Lots of space/options to choose where to sit and view the play. Coincidentally, I was fortunate to see this year's show, Much Ado About Nothing, at Central Park's Delacorte Theater a few years ago and--it was a treat to see Boston's rendition this year. It was a perfect Boston summer evening (aka not totally roasting w/100% humidity, haha) & one of those nights when you think to yourself--I love this city. Moving forward, I'll be sure to try and check out the summer show each year--it's spectacular. read more

After a stint of lazy three years, finally I got to witness the beautiful Shakespeare play - Cymbeline. It's a great thing to offer the play for free. I will definitely watch them again next year. Amazing actors!! read more

Shakespeare under the open sky. Free. (brevity is the soul of wit, and tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes - Polonius) read more

Shakespeare on the Common - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

What a wonderful way to enjoy both the beauty of a summer night as well as a performance of classic theatre. Parking was quick and easy at the Boston Common garage and it was nice knowing that $2 of my $10 parking fee was donated back to the event (with a coupon that was handed out after the performance, also available on the event website.) Even though I had packed a picnic, the selection of food vendors looked tempting (Upper Crust, Ben & Jerry's, Figaro's, etc.) I arrived around 7pm and found the best seating to be taken already, but was still quite happy with a spot near the back. Though it was a little difficult to see from my blanket on the ground, I had a clear view of the stage once I hopped up in a friend's folding chair. The sound projected well and we could hear everything clearly from where we were sitting (near the gazebo). My dog was happy to be at her first theatre performance and made sure she greeted everyone nearby. As for the actual performance... if you aren't familiar with the play, definitely squeeze in a quick read of the program so you understand what's happening before it gets messy. Personally, "A Comedy of Errors" isn't one of my favorite pieces of Shakespeare, but I am still happy to support the artistic effort. From a production standpoint, I found the dance numbers in between each scene to be a bit disconnected from the play and for quite a while I was distracted by the lifeguard who stayed on stage for everything but the intermission- simply to remind us that this is the "Miami" version. However, I do appreciate the director's attempt to take some artistic liberties, even if I don't really agree with the results. The audience responded heartily to the physical humor and lagged a bit behind on some of the more subtle jokes- many of which aren't as "gastly" in the 21st century as they once were when gender and stature roles were different. However, all of that is to be expected with Shakespeare- which makes the actor's task even more difficult in bringing a sense of drama to that which we no longer find exceedingly dramatic. Overall, this is a delightful treat for all ages and should be a staple in every Boston summer experience. read more

Shakespeare on the Common - The view from the back - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

"Romeo, Romeo where out thou O Romeo? Great performance of Romeo and Juliet on the Commons. Shakespeare and Company have done a lot of performances each year and they do it so successfully. Hordes and hordes of people show up to this event each summer. This is particularly convenient for those who live in the Back Bay downtown area. All performances start from 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. all performances are free and it really is a good opportunity if you are a Shakespeare fan. read more

Shakespeare on the Common - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Review #1100! I can't give this business less than five stars. It's Shakespeare. It's Boston. It's Boston Common. It's Shakespeare on the Common! I caught "Two Gentlemen of Verona" on its very last day (sun July 28), and thought the modern take was so well done. The motto of the night was "what happens in Milan, stays in Milan," a play on Vegas' popular slogan. Dancing, costumes, set design, & songs ("witchcraft" & "fever " among others) were very 60s-style in the Vegas. Very Rat Pack. Since I'm so star-struck, this performance was very special, as it had not one, but two tv/movie actors playing in it!!! Peter Cambor of "NCIS LA" fame played Proteus, and Kourtney Adams played Antonia. She looked familiar; my neighbor confirmed--she's been in a few blockbusters *shrugs* Most awesome scenes were those with adorable doggie Crab! Lots of "awwwws" from the audience whenever the pup was on stage. Okay, how to make your nite as comfy as possible: -- get there early for the closets spots to the stage, but even 15 minutes before the 7pm show time, there was plenty of desirable real estate left. -- port-a-potties are always busy, so either don't drink a lot, or brave the crowds at nearby McDonald's -- if you don't want to drag a chair and/or blanket on the T (park st stop on the red or green line), then rent a chair for $10 when you get to the park ($5 deposit given back after you return chair) -- bring a snacks if you want, but several food tents were set up (Ben & Jerry's, earl of sandwich, etc.) -- show was almost 3 hours long...as warm as Boston has been, it got a little chilly towards 9pm & I was thankful for my thin hoodie & scarf Amazing experience! read more

Shakespeare on the Common - Two gents 7/28 - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This is a review of the MidSummer's Night production. For a free production, this was an awesome, kick ass, show! Not just because it's free, but it truly was a great performance. We got here a lil after 8 pm and still was able to find some awesome seats with a great view on the concrete of course, since we didn't have any blankets/chairs, since we took the T in. With our bring along Indian Food from the Pru Food Court, this was an excellent dinner and theater production. read more

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All that's mentioned in my prior review holds true, yet I had to update so you'd know the 2014 staging of Twelfth Night has been CSC's best production in the past five years. There are four shows left. Catch one of them. read more

Shakespeare on the Common - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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What can I say. This is perhaps one of the best performance events in Boston this year, and really every year. The atmosphere casual and moving, the performers talented and extraordinary, the weather is blessed with summer evening's warmth and glory. This is my third year attending CSC's performance on the commons, Twelfth Night by Shakespeare is there to entertain the 100,000 people who show up for this appreciation of the modern adaptation of the works of arguably the greatest playwright in history. Oh and, don't forget to dig through the wallet and donate some to the organization who has brought about this fantastic and profound cultural experience. read more

Wow! Free Shakespeare..in the commons..no words to describe the feeling of the sun, warmth, and theater. 2 gentlemen of Verona is a classic. The play had a little bit of humor and classic all wrapped up with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The play started at 8 with a 10-15 min intermission lasting a few hours. I showed up at 8pm when the show was starting was able to get a great view as you can see from the pictures posted. I would recommend: Towels, drinks (of course concealed) Snacks next time and possibly some bug spray! There are porta-potties lined up behind the crowd, as gross as these can be...they have plenty of hand sanitizer! http://www.commshakes.org/ If you havent been take your family & friends have a blast get some culture and watch a great shake read more

Shakespeare on the Common - Stage,show,fun,fun - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

So when does an 8pm show of As You Like it on the Common turn into a night that ends with me watching the sun come up as I drive home? Apparently, when you go with Yelpers, that's when! If this review was for my company, and my night... well, it would be five stars, but it isn't. This review is for Shakespeare. First it is free. Free is a wonderful thing. The setting is fantastic and you can't beat the price. It is a wonderful way to see a show and I suggest everyone check it out sooner or later. They say that former servers are the worst people to wait on, so maybe that analogy holds true for me with this review. I am very familiar with Shakespeare, with this play in particular, and with theater in general and I think the execution was flat. To be clear, had I paid big bucks to see this on stage, I would have given them two stars. While I am a big fan of changing the eras a show is set in, this time it just did not work. I get, by the dress, that it was 20s or 30s, but were they in the South? Only one actor had a Southern accent and not a single actor spoke with a regional dialect from the era. I like that they incorporated some song and dance, but they couldn't figure that out either. Should I be gypsy music, Spanish music, tribal music, what? And the acting seems forced. All of the natural punch lines were over emphasized (those of a romantic or sexual nature) and they missed so much of the more subtle humor. Shakespeare is salacious and witty and vastly entertain when done best, and this show was... well... just okay. Oh... and bring bug repellent. (Just a tip, doesn't reflect the review.) read more

Regardless of whether or not you like this particular Shakespeare play (clearly not his best work, but think of it like a Farrelly Bros movie for that era), this cast gave one of the best performances I've ever seen. The Jesters stole the show, and the lighting, dancing and overall stage setup and presentation was superb. Add in the fact that (a) you're sitting outside in Boston Common and (b) it's 100% free, and you've got all the ingredients for a great summer night. We parked in the financial district at a secret $5 lot and walked through the outdoor mall street a few blocks to arrive at the Common 2 hours before showtime. This was a good idea, as it turns out, since the palce was already filling up. We threw down our blanket about 20 yards from stage right and settled in to wait... ...while we were waiting, about an hour before the play, they had some professional opera singers come out and entertain us as a special bonus. All were from the New England rep or something like that, and all were very good. Long lines for the pot-o-potties, but at least they had some. Didn't see any food vendors on the night we went other than Ben and Jerry's though, but you can bring your own food and beverages, of course. I suggest bringing a short beach chair to watch the show next year. Don't be one of those A-holes that puts your full-height folding chair right in front of someone sitting on a blanket. Can someone really be that rude and inconsiderate? Yes. Please be aware of others when staking your claim, and try to donate some cash to the crew if you can - let's keep the event free for years to come. read more

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How can I give less than five To a free show in the park? Beneath the stars, these actors strive For on the crowd they make their mark. Drama, comedy, laughs and shouts, Ensue throughout each crafted scene, And all the while there's building doubt, As to what these words together mean. But fear not, dear confusion, for friends are present, Sharing snacks and blankets and wines, To explain the plot, all are hesitant But the night stretches on and so do the good times. So come and enjoy Bill Shakes on Boston Common With good company and good booze, it's a night not forgotten. read more

Get yourself cultured for free! Doesn't get much better than that, if you ask me. I've tried to hit this summer tradition each year, though sometimes the weather doesn't always set you up for success. Lesson learned - set some contingency rain dates! This year (2014), the production of Twelfth Night was fantastic. I loved the modern take on a classic. Many of the lead actors were absolutely fantastic. I still am completely left in awe given the sheer quantity of lines some of them have to memorize. The play was raunchy, funny, and full of plot twists. The actors are miked up, so sound is just fine. The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company does have some corporate sponsors, however they do rely on donations as a large funding source. So, there will be staff & volunteers coming around during the intermission asking for donations. Please be kind and toss a few bones their way. Additionally, you can rent a low backed chair from them for $10 (of which $5 is a deposit). This is a great event to do with friends, out of town visitors, or a special someone on date night. Bring some snacks, smuggle in some wine/adult beverages, a fleece, and a blanket. Forgot to bring snacks? There are concessions available for sale and the Earl of Sandwich is right there as well. Shows start at 8:00, but I would suggest getting there by 7:30 or so to set up. The 2014 version was about 2 1/2 hours including intermission. read more

I went on the first full production night of As You Like It. The show was great. I really enjoyed it. The actors were excellent and some, quite good to look at. It was an excellent show. We got there early and managed to snag a spot near the stage. Now, for the people who insist on coming 5 minutes before the show and squeezing 2 lawn chairs into a foot and a half of space, come earlier! We did not drag our sweating selves here two hours early just so you can attempt to move us without even asking then look shocked when we asked you to stop. All in all. It is a great show and be sure to bring a picnic/food to eat while you are holding your little square of grass. read more

So Othello was a well portrayed, not exactly fit for a child, and slightly realistic in a tragic disheartening way (save for the iambic pentameter and old english verbage) presentation. The last 10 minutes had the audience silenced in captivation from the scene unfolding (eeks!) yet they were possibly silenced from just being asleep. I am proud to say that this is my first complete viewing of a Shakespeare on the Common show EVER! And how many years have I lived in the city? Nevermind. I got a decent seat with MMC, adjacent to the aisle and a trash can with no obstructions before us. We even arrived 15 minutes early. Without a lawn chair, a beach chair, or a bottle of wine, but with blankets and full stomachs, we were still fairly well prepared for the 3 hour show. A pillow and a long sleeved shirt might have been a nice addition, but there was plenty of area to lay out and even catch some stars and planets. I always recommend to friends to get their butts out to the show, because they do such a great job! It's not just people prancing in the park either, there's a legitimate stage with legitimate actors, too. And it's free. Free. FREEEEEE!!!!! read more

This is the second or third Shakespeare on the Common I'd been to, and they are always without fail delightful, even with a sprinkling of rain. Do yourself a favor and do it right -- bring a light picnic, a bottle of wine, and a blanket, and get there early. The good seats get crowded out early, and the theater is always better in the pit than the leaves. Honestly, this is maybe my favorite thing to do every summer, and Boston is a great town for it. I'm always amazed at the level of production the company can bring to an outdoor performance. This is not a band of amateurs throwing together a gazebo show. These are some serious thespians with a wildly impressive set (this year, a zoot-suited Miami with extraneous, but no unappreciated Latin dance interludes, lifeguard, and greyhound). It's only too bad that Boston weather is so temperamental that rain is almost unavoidable during the run. But the troupe puts up with it like champs, luckily. Of the three times I've been, two have had rain, and the production has only been called off when the rain got so heavy that the slippery stage (and wet electrical chords) would threaten the safety of the actors. Otherwise, a pause for a quick wipe down, and on with the show. Really, there's no other downside here, unless you hate Shakespeare, are allergic to the outside, or can't stand a couple hundred people having a cultured good time. It certainly beats going across the street to the movie theater to catch whatever summer schlock is playing. It's great for a date, or with friends, and I can even imagine coming alone if I couldn't wrangle up a group -- although, how could you not for free Shakespeare? read more

I've been to Shakespeare on the Common twice, and each time I leave with such appreciation for theatre and art being available to the public. The production always includes a beautiful set and a cast of great actors and actresses. I love that the Shakespeare plays are set in non-Shakespearean times--I believe The Taming of the Shrew was set in the '50s in Europe somewhere, and this summer's A Comedy of Errors was set in South Beach Miami. Always creative and a great time. Just grab a blanket, some snacks, and some friends for some Shakespeare in the park, and you're set for a really fantastic night! read more

Wanteth anoth'r way to highlight thy summ'r with thy cat'r-cousins and family? Grabeth a blanket and cozy up with thy neighbors and timeth traveleth to the 1600s f'r a glorious Shakespearian playeth! Cometh hith'r! What's that? Your butt gets dewy and numb from sitting on the lawn too long? -Ooh, pish posh! Become friends with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company! As a thank you from them, you'll get your own lawn chair and prime seats for the play. You can also rent chairs a very low cost. -Also, thank you to the awesome Damien and the Yelp team for hooking us up with a great view, great seats, and a picnic from the Earl of Sandwich! (Not to even mention, sheltering us from a passing rainstorm!) You'll adore the wonders of true talent of acting and hardworking outdoor production! Bravo, Good Sir, Braaavoooo! read more

"Summer's lease hath all too short a date" - soak in some Shakespeare before it gets too late. I would have gladly paid, to watch a production so excellently made, but free it is for those who care, to consume some comedy and excellent fare! Rediscovering my latent literary interests aside, watching a matinee performance of Twelfth night on a sunny summer saturday afternoon in the Boston Commons, was an incredible experience indeed. A huge thumbs up for CSC for making some of the best works of the Bard accessible to the general public and the volunteers and others for making these events really well organized - chair rentals, disciplined park seating, options for food and drink - overall the entire setup had me bowled over. Comedy of errors, mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, comic interludes, memorable quotes - Twelfth night has it all. As is oft quoted in the play - Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them - applies to the folks on stage just as much as the characters they potrayed! In the spirit of Shakespeare - if theater is the window to culture, play on CSC! read more

Except for 2001, when I was dragged to a wedding in Delaware, I've gone every year since 1999. "Henry V" and "Much Ado About Nothing" were excellent. "The Taming of the Shrew" was fun; "Macbeth" sucked. I liked about half of "Julius Caesar" and saw only part of "Hamlet" before it rained out. As much as I dislike most people, there's something about sharing three hours with a handful of friends and a thousand strangers, sitting on Boston grass, getting eaten by mosquitos and dive-bombed by bats just to know that the words of a man centuries dead still live. read more

The play's the thing on the Boston Common, and for free Shakespeare, it hits the spot. I went to last year's show (Comedy of Errors) and was less than thrilled, but this year more than made up for it. I think Othello is a great show anyway, but this version was particularly easy to understand and get drawn into. They put a 1940s spin on it (made a lot more sense than last year's nightclub vibe) and really poured their hearts into the production. We arrived at 7:15 on a Saturday night and got a spot that someone else had recently abandoned. There were thousands of people there, and we never would have had a good view were it not for the luck of finding this space for our blanket. I highly recommend at least one person in your party getting there no less than an hour early to grab a good seat - we ended up sitting on the ground for 4 hours but at least it was worth it. For Othello, specifically, do yourself a favor and don't read the synopsis for Act V. Trust me - it's much better to go into it not knowing the exact ending. This is the perfect summer activity with friends or as a cheap (free) date. Bring your blanket, your dinner, and your sweater, and enjoy! read more

I like it a lot! Haven't been recently. But have fond memories and always have a good time. If you want good seats and are going to stay for the duration, get there early. Pack a picnic supper. Plop yourself down, bring some lawn chairs. I often see people drinking wine, I have yet to bring any with me cause the park rangers get all kinds of excited surrounding huge gatherings such as this. But, do you. I suggest either leaving your fears about portable toilets at home, or finding a place with public bathrooms in the area. Note that the former is way easier than the latter. (McDonalds is the closest, I think...) read more

This year's production of A Midsummer's Night Dream was so great! Really modern but not over-stylized, it was a different take on the play, and really well-received. At one point I was laughing so hard, my eyes were watering. The venue, of course, was as beautiful and well-kept as ever. Everyone knows it's right on the green line, so for me the whole night was just $1.70 with my Charlie Card. People started claiming spots really early on and even though there was a section roped off for VIPs, good seating was available right until about 7pm. Then everyone started filling up the brick pathway with lawnchairs, etc. We just had a blanket and were sitting just in front of the pathway, but the view was still great. The weather was excellent last night. Warm but with a nice breeze. I didn't notice any mosquitoes, but maybe that was because other people had definitely prepared for them and lit citronella candles in buckets. DEFINITELY bring your own food. There is a stand with beverages, hot dogs, etc, but I think it's kind of "the thing" to bring really fancy gnoshes and wine to have during the play. We had great sandwiches and desserts from the North End, but other people went way further, with fresh fruit platters, gourmet sandwiches and salads. A couple in front of us brought their own sangria! It was a great experience and it sucks it had to be shortened to just one week!! Where is funding for the Arts in this city?? We have to keep the culture thing going, you know?? I loved it - not everyone you meet would want to spend a few hours watching a play, let alone Shakespeare, so finding so many people who laughed at all the funny parts with you was refreshing to say the least. read more

Reasons Shakespeare on the Common earns 5 stars: 1. It's outside 2. It's an excuse to enjoy a picnic 3. It's great theatre that they always put a different spin on from its traditional version - and its Shakespeare! 4. It wouldn't be summer in Boston without it That last one is really important because this season was the first time the company put it on themselves - their sponsor abandoned them. The actors took pay cuts and they did a helluva lot of fundraising. I was glad to see so many people donating before the show started. I think everyone realized what an institution it is for summertime in Boston. I know I come back every year. Thanks Shakespeare in the Common! read more

How to write this and not sound like a giant party pooper? Ok, to put it gently....it sucked. Hey, A+ for effort. I totally agree with the sentiment--Shakespeare for the people. Free shows in the park--another shining example of Boston as a city of culture for all. I even donated money *after* seeing this play, because I genuinely believe a variety of outdoor entertainment should be available in the summer in Boston. And so I'm still giving it four stars, because I just like the idea of Shakespeare in the park. I know I'll go again next year. I had fun with my little picnic and our bottle of wine in a thermos, but do these people even understand Shakespeare? They rushed through the lines like a seventh grader who learned "The Raven" for extra credit. It's a Shakespearean comedy ! Speak slowly! Gesture a lot! And for the love of god, play up the double entendres and rude gestures like your life depends on it! It was like watching a car crash--nobody was laughing, but no one could quite look away from the spectacle. The silence was grim and the dumbshows between scenes were just...dumb. Not clever or compelling. Also..."A Comedy of Errors?" Really, that's what you pick? It's basically like Shakespeare's embarrassing high school poetry. There's an absurd amount of exposition at the beginning by Egeon. Even the title is pretty lame--thanks for spelling it out, Bill. That's like calling McBeth "A Tragedy of Murder." I mean, c'mon. So...yeah. I'm that guy who didn't like Shakespeare in the Park. Blame my mom, the Shakespeare professor. But seriously, I still think you should go. Or at least donate some spondoolies, so next year's production will be better. read more

Shakespeare on the Common is a great experience. It's been in existence for 21 years and yesterday was my first time to attend. I got there at 730 but luckily had friends who were there earlier at 530 to claim a nice area on the grass. There is an option for reserved seating at $75 per seat or rent a chair for $5 bucks but there was no bad area to seat and can see the stage from all areas. The commons is a very large area so no matter what time you show up I think you would be able to find space to lay your blanket pillows and snacks to enjoy the play. At the information desk there is a parking validation where you get $1 off parking if you decided to drive and park at the Commons Garage. If you choose not to bring snacks, there's a sandwich shop right next to the play area and a McDonalds across the street. The only thing I would improve are the porta-potties. It seems that the city was cheap on these and used the more dated units rather than the newer advanced units where waist is flushed down a system, running water and well ventilated. While the ports potties were clean it smelled gross you could see the waste from other patrons which wasn't a good experience. But all in all I recommend the event to everyone and the fact that it's FREE makes it a must for the summer! I'm happy I got one more thing checked off my list. read more

Shakespeare on the Common - Starting show right at sunset - Performing Arts Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Did anybody say Date Night?! Look cool and cultured when you take your date to Shakes on the Common. Bring a blanket, bring some wine and cookies and enjoy a summer night with some old folks and people reciting ye ol' English on a stage. But seriously, I enjoy every summer when this company brings Shakes out on the Common, over by the gazebo area. They always do a good job and interpretation. I've seen maybe 3 plays, and overall it is a great way to spend a weekend night out under the stars. Feel free to bring your own picnic and/or food and booze and just have a rip roaring good time. I swear the plays get funnier the more you drink - just be aware that the rest of the clientele are generally old people - folks that will likely never understand how to see this review. I'm not worried about the old people seeing my comments here, but just a heads up - they are harmless, so have no fear. Enjoy your Shakes! read more

This show was free and outside, so it's hard to complain about, but I went to opening night of Othello, and I can't say I was blown away. The man who played Iago had a kind of rocky start, but found his mojo. Othello himself was very convincing. Desdemona was an excellent actress, but seemed a bit too old to be playing the character, and Emilia was portrayed in what may have been the single worst acting performance I have ever seen. All in all, though, a charming enough evening, though it did feel like the three hours that it was. Make sure to bring a chair. read more

This review is for the 2007 Production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which incidentally is one of my favorite of the Bard's plays, and definitely my favorite to watch live. Watching it outside makes it even more magical because you really feel you are a part of the experience. I arrived at the common at about 6:45 and by then all the really good seats in front of the stage were taken (a friend said it had been that way since she walked by at 5) but we found pretty good seats by the side of the stage, and the actors really moved around the stage a lot so we were able to see and hear perfectly well. If you want to "fit in" with the crowd - you should definitely bring a high class picnic lunch. There were a lot of trader joes munchies around me. I didnt bring anything (being a poor college student) but then had the genius idea to order a pizza from the upper crust which is only about 5 minutes away on charles street. Soon, many of our blanket neighbors were following suit. The play itself was good. A psychadelic, cirque-du-soleil take on the fairies, but Bottom and his company were hilarious and thats the most important thing for me. The actor who played Bottom got a standing O and the loudest cheers. I definitely reccomend catching this before its gone. read more

2007: ONE WEEK ONLY!! This year's production is A Midsummer Night's Dream. They usually run for a month but this summer it is only running for a week: http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2007/03/02/shakespeare_on_the_common_shortens_its_season/ This is a great FREE summer time event. Bring a blanket (it got sooo windy last year) and food (unless you want to run out during intermission). read more

We went to opening night of "The two gentlemen of Verona" last night and it was excellent. We got there 1.5 hours early and picnicked, got great seats, and enjoyed people watching prior to the show. It couldn't have been easier with parking in the garage a short walk away. It was a beautiful night and an excellent performance. A great way to spend a night out. This is a very talented, professional organization putting on free shows in a beautiful venue. What more could you ask for? read more

I am not at all a Shakespeare girl but a friend asked if I would go with her and I was really surprised at how funny and well put on twelfth night was. A fun mix of old and new and the actors were terrific. Last shows are tonight and tomorrow. read more

Free Shakespeare on the Common! What a perfect evening. How can life get any better than sitting outside on a beautiful summer night listening to the dolcet phrases of William Shakespeare. The lighting and sound are always top notch and I love the energy the cast and crew always brings. This is by far on of my favorite Boston Summer traditions! read more

Free play in the park. Pack a picnic dinner, grab your blanket or lawn chair and make this a must-do every summer.

Only and only if you have nothing else to go to that is the place o be. It is extremely boring. They was unable to mark the classic but yes ruin it with weird costumes that mostly are obviously are child sized or look like a wrap with some details. It will most likely put you to sleep and sometimes awake you because of some squishing anoint voices. Nothing to learn from it and a lot of suggest about. read more

I'm from Los Angeles so this reminded me of Cinespia, except for nerds. :) Just kidding. I went on a Friday night and it was pretty packed. You need to show up early if you want to be close to the stage. They have food trucks nearby for snacking. I would say you have to be a fan of Shakespeare to really get the most out of this. I've never really been a fan, not since doing a Hamlet play in the 7th grade. But due to all the positive reviews on yelp and being in Boston for only a short period of time, I thought I would give it a shot. The production is about 3 hours long, we made it through the first hour and then walked across the street and saw a movie. I'm glad I went for that hour, it was fun but again, you need to enjoy the source material. It's a great service and the fact that it's free is really cool. read more

"Taming of the Shrew" was great! The weather was perfect and the free-ness of it all was the best. We took a blanket, some delicious grub, and had a great time. For newcomers to the city, it was a very "Boston" experience. My one piece of advice would be to rent/take a chair. Three hours on the ground did a number on the ol' tailbone. Enjoy! read more

We enjoyed the free Shakespeare production out on the lawn of Boston Common. There is something magical about watching one of the world's oldest well-known playwright's production performed in one of America's oldest parks. It was easy to hear the actors and most seats are good seats. They rent lawn chairs so if you are visiting from out of town or travelling on the subway or bus, you can still enjoy the show. They ask for donations to help pay for the production but are not pushy about it. Most people gave what they could out of appreciation for the quality and the opportunity to attend. Tip: They do have reserved wheelchair areas and some performances are also for the hearing impaired. Tip 2: There is an Earl of Sandwich right near the stage where you can grab a bite to eat during the show. read more

What a great thing this production company does for two weeks a year every summer!! I believe this year, plays end 8/14/10. Make sure you bring a lawn chair and a blanket (it got extremely cold the day i went). I saw Othello from a distance. While the acting is alright, it's the ambiance and review of Shakespeares classics that make this experience totally worthwhile! Sitting under the willow trees, facing the Pru and watching Shake's wonderful plays come to life on a warm summer's evening is exactly the type of experience you want to get out of a summer in the city. There are some convenience stands lining the Commons, but you can run down Boylston or Tremont Streets to grab some goods from Vapiano's or Starbucks (there are a ton of other franchises around the area...too many to mention here). Either with a bunch of friends, a significant other or yourself, this experience will truly leave you feeling delightfully entertained. Ready for the kicker...IT'S FREE!!! read more