Shakespeare in the Park

Did you go to Shakespeare in the Park this summer? I had always wanted to go and finally got the chance this summer! Every year the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company puts on a Shakespeare play in the middle of the Boston Commons. This year was their 28th season. It is free to the public but you can rent chairs and get food.

Cost: Free!!! Donations welcome

Would I recommend: Yes I would, seeing an open air play is really an amazing experience and it’s free! Leave if you hate it! What have you got to lose?

Getting There

We headed in town, because we had swung by Atlantic Works Gallery in East Boston we decided to drive in. (Read more about that here) We were easily able to park at the garage under the Boston Commons. This was incredibly convenient as the stage for the play was about 10 feet from the exit from the garage. It cost about $18 but we did get a discount of $2 from the workers at Shakespeare in the Park. We could actually stack the discounts but there was a long line at checkout so we didn’t.

Logistics at the Theater

Right in front of the stage is reserved for blankets only, behind that section is for low chairs, think low beach chairs, and blankets, further back in higher chairs, camp chairs and the like. Off to the left side if you’re looking at the stage, parallel to the part with the low beach chairs, is a section where you can have blankets, low chairs, and wheelchairs.

This year’s show was A Winter’s Tale. I had never read or seen it before but I have seen about 10 Shakespeare plays and read another 20ish. My husband on the other hand had only seen the 1996 Romeo and Juliet, you know the version with the guns and the cars? Besides that he had read the No Fear Shakespeare version of Romeo and Juliet so I was slightly worried. That being said we both love plays so I wasn’t that worried, it’s just that Shakespeare is like its own language.

It is dog friendly so you can bring your furry friends but do keep in mind that there are plenty of other dogs there and children. I would pick a spot at the back if you are bringing your dog so they have room to move.

Our Set Up

We brought out camp chairs, some drinks, and a few blankets as we were meeting friends. We set up camp with a great view of the stage and waited for the show to start. It was a gorgeous night, it was warm but not too hot but also not too cold. I would bring some sweatshirts and a blanket if you can. I can get chilly when the sun goes down.

Our Food

For food there is Earl of Sandwich right there and it was open pretty late. There was also a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream truck that looked pretty good, I would say that was open until the end of intermission. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company also operates a small concessions stand that carries some candies, water, sodas, popcorn, etc. Personally we got 5 Guys from Downtown Crossing, it was good, we slightly regretted the shakes because Ben and Jerry’s would have been good but live and learn.

Thoughts on A Winter’s Tale

It was a great play, the acting was excellent. The music was great as well. Act 1, was very standard Shakespeare. It followed the classic style of a wonderful life, followed by human nature and emotion causing a downfall. Act 2 is where it got weird. There was a straight up orgy on stage but then there was a solid 10 minute of dancing that didn’t add anything to the plot or characters. Overall I enjoyed the play and would recommend it but there were parts that I could have done without.

This is truly an amazing experience. You get to watch an amazing play outside with the sunsetting behind it. It is peaceful and wonderful. I highly recommend taking the time to go to the commons and see the play.