Photo Flash: Midsommer Flight Presents TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

Midsommer Flight's seventh summer of free Shakespeare performances as an Arts Partner in Chicago Park District parks began on Saturday, July 7 in Lincoln Park with THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA. The company's production of Shakespeare's comedy will play two weekends each in four different Chicago parks - through Sunday August 26. The next venue for THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA will be Gross Park, 2708 W. Lawrence Ave., where it will play July 14 and 15 and 21 and 22. See complete schedule in "Listing Information" section below.

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, is believed to be Shakespeare's first play. The "Two Gentlemen" are Valentine and Proteus, who travel from Verona to Milan, where they fall in love with the same woman, even though Proteus had professed to be in love with Julia, back in Verona. Or at least he thinks she's back in Verona. The comedy deals with many of the themes Shakespeare would explore in later plays, including loyalty and friendship, the foolishness of love and lovers, and whether friendship trumps love. It will be performed in Lincoln Park, Gross Park, Touhy Park, and for the first time, Chicago Women's Park and Gardens at 1801 S. Indiana Ave. on Chicago's near south side. (See below for full schedule). The production is free, and reservations are neither necessary nor offered.

All photos by Tom McGrath, TCMcG Photography