Chicago’s First Citywide Tour of Free Shakespeare Tour Comes to Neighborhood Parks, 7/29-8/19

For the first time in Chicago history, all Chicagoans will have the opportunity to experience a live, professional theater performance, free of charge, as Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), Chicago Park District and The Boeing Company, partner to launch Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks.Beginning at South Shore Cultural Center on Sunday, July 29 and continuing through Aug. 19, Chicagoans will enjoy free performances of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW through each of the Park District regions. Shakespeare’s hilarious comedy about the battle between the sexes will feature professional actors in beautiful costumes on a traveling stage, underscored with original rock-inspired music, in this 75-minute, daylight production.

"Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks is a wonderful example of how arts initiatives can succeed in bringing communities together, enhancing the quality of life through public and private partnership throughout the city and into our neighborhoods," said Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner, Michelle T. Boone. "Accessibility to the arts is something we heard from residents throughout the city at our many public meetings for the new 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan. This new program is an important step in strengthening Chicago’s future as a leader in the world for arts and culture."

In addition to South Shore Cultural Center, other South Region parks to be visited include: Ridge Park and Tuley Park. Central Region parks include: Dvorak Park, Douglas Park, Austin Town Hall, Garfield Park Conservatory, Humboldt Park, and Gateway Park at Navy Pier. North Region parks include Frank J. Wilson Park and Welles Park.

Tuley Park
Monday, July 30, 3:30PM

Dvorak Park
Tuesday, July 31, 4PM

Austin Town Hall Park
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 3:30PM

Humboldt Park
Friday, Aug. 3, 6:30PM.
Saturday, Aug. 4, 4 PM

Douglas Park
Sunday, Aug. 5, 4PM

Gateway Park at Navy Pier
Monday, Aug. 6 -
Wednesday, Aug. 8, 6:30PM

Welles Park
Friday, Aug. 10, 6:30PM
Saturday Aug. 10, 4PM

Garfield Park Conservatory
Sunday, Aug. 12, 3PM

Ridge Park
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 6:30PM

Frank J. Wilson Park
Friday, Aug. 17, 6:30PM
Saturday–Sunday August 1–19, 4PM

Adapted and staged by Jeff Award-winning director Rachel Rockwell, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW features Ericka Ratcliff, performing the role of strong-willed Katharina and Matt Mueller performing the role of Katharina’s sparring partner, Petruchio. The Acting Company also includes Jeffrey Baumgartner, Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Max Ganet, José Antonio García, Eric Leonard, Kate LoConti, Robert Joseph Miller, Matthew Sherbach, Mick Weber and Jarrod Zimmerman.

The new citywide arts initiative, the largest of its kind in the history of the Chicago Park District, is made possible by a grant from The Boeing Company, with additional support from BMO Harris Bank, Madison Dearborn Partners, Sara Lee Foundation, and the Chicago Shakespeare Trust.

For more information on Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/parks.