UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — The summer of Shakespeare is about to return with free shows.
Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's "Play On!" community tour will present a family-friendly version of "Much Ado About Nothing" starting on Friday, May 30.
The free production will occur at libraries, parks and community centers through Sunday, June 15.
"Much Ado About Nothing" is directed by PSF Artistic Director Jason King Jones.
Organizers call the Shakespeare play, which tells the story of two different kinds of romantic love, "a whirlwind of wit, romance, and mischief."
The cast includes PSF members of this year's Young Company, including Maya Jean Marino Cappello (as Conrade/Margaret), Jamir Fisher (as Leonato), and Ian Higgins (as Claudio).
Also, Relena Kiser (as Borachio/Friar/Messenger), Shawn Laub (portraying Don John/Seacole/Lord/Messenger) and Teddy Novak (as Don Pedro/Verges).
Also, Ryan Plunkett (portraying Benedick/3rd Watch), India Proffit (as Beatrice), Isabella Stevens ( as Dogberry/Ursula), and Sophia Twohig (as Hero/Sexton).
Play On! schedule
The "Play On!" series has been part of PSF since 2023.
The community tour is funded in part by the Northampton County Hotel Tax Grant Program and administered by the county Community and Economic Development Department.
"Play On!" will kick off at 3 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Emmaus Public Library, 11 E. Main St.
Other locations include:
- 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at the National Museum of Industrial History, 602 E. 2nd St., Bethlehem.
- 3 p.m. Friday, June 6 at Allentown Public Library, 1210 Hamilton St.
- 2 p.m. June 8, Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.
- 3 p.m. June 14, and Sunday, June 15, at Peddler's Village, 100 Peddlers Village, Lahaska, Bucks County.
A special encore also be held at noon June 28 during PSF's Community Day at DeSales University.
PSF's 34th season
Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, now in its 34th season, will run from Wednesday, May 28, through Aug. 3 at DeSales University's Labuda Center for the Performing Arts.
The season, led by Artistic Director Jason King Jones and Managing Director Casey William Gallagher, includes nine productions.
Among those are two musicals, Mel Brooks's Tony Award-winning hit "The Producers" and the new musical "Penelope."
"Penelope" will run at the Schubert Theatre from Wednesday, May 28 to June 8.
"The Producers" will run from June 11-29 on the Main Stage.
Hamlet, tickets
Renditions of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" will be performed in repertory with Tom Stoppard's tragicomedy "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," the lesser-produced "Timon of Athens."
"Hamlet" Show dates are July 9 to Aug. 3. Tickets cost $25-$47.
"Timon of Athens" will run from July 23 to Aug. 3 in the Schubert Theatre.
Also, PSF actor Akeem Davis will make his directorial debut with "A Raisin in the Sun."
The drama, written by Lorraine Hansberry, will star returning actors Billie Wyatt and Beneatha Younger.
"A Raisin in the Sun" will run from June 25 to July 13 at the Schubert Theater.
Single tickets, subscriptions, and packages to the festival can be purchased online at PSF's website or by calling the box office at 610-282-9455.
For PSF's season lineup, visit their website.
