Photo – the 2018 production of Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks’ A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM | Chuck Osgood

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has announced the cast and schedule for its free Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, adapted and directed by founder and artistic director Barbara Gaines. The production will tour to 18 neighborhood parks across the city July 25–August 26.

“Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks brings world-class theater to neighborhoods across the city and gives residents the chance to experience the best of what Chicago has to offer right in their own backyard,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I look forward to watching many of our top local performances in this summer’s rendition of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. ”

The cast includes Jasmine Bracey (Titania/Hippolyta), Adam Wesley Brown (Bottom), Richard Costes (Snout), Danielle Davis (Starveling), Lane Anthony Flores (Flute/Fairy), Kevin Gudahl (Oberon/Theseus), Jarrett King (Egeus/Quince), Tyrone Phillips (Demetrius), Cage Sebastian Pierre (Puck), Laura Rook (Helena), Faith Servant (Hermia), Christopher Sheard (Lysander), and Hannah Starr (Snug/Fairy). Joining Director Gaines on the creative team is Scenic Designer Kevin Depinet, Costume Designer Mieka van der Ploeg, Sound Designer Mikhail Fiksel, and Wig and Make-up Designer Richard Jarvie.

Parks scheduled to be visited, rain or shine, include:

Wednesday, July 25 at 7:00pm | Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.)
Thursday, July 26 at 7:00pm | Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.)
Friday, July 27 at 7:00pm | Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.)
Saturday, July 28 at 7:00pm | Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.)
Tuesday, July 31 at 6:30pm | Ellis Park (3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave.)
Wednesday, August 01 at 6:30pm | Gage Park (2411 W. 55th St.)
Thursday, August 02 at 6:30pm | Kelvyn Park (4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.)
Friday, August 03 at 6:30pm | Eckhart Park (1330 W. Chicago Ave.)
Saturday, August 04 at 6:30pm | Welles Park (2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.)
Sunday, August 05 at 4:00pm | Welles Park (2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.)
Tuesday, August 07 at 6:30pm | Columbus Park (500 S. Central Ave.)
Wednesday, August 08 at 6:30pm | Tuley Park (501 E. 90th Pl.)
Thursday, August 09 at 6:30pm | Humboldt Park (1301 N. Sacramento Ave.)
Friday, August 10 at 6:30pm | Humboldt Park (1301 N. Sacramento Ave.)
Saturday, August 11 at 6:30pm | Frank J. Wilson Park (4630 N. Milwaukee Ave.)
Sunday, August 12 at 4:00pm | Frank J. Wilson Park (4630 N. Milwaukee Ave.)
Tuesday, August 14 at 6:30pm | Ridge Park (1817 W. 96th St.)
Wednesday, August 15 at 6:30pm | Garfield Park (100 N. Central Park Ave.)
Thursday, August 16 at 6:30pm | Dvorak Park (1119 W. Cullerton St.)
Tuesday, August 21 at 6:30pm | Calumet Park (9801 S. Ave. G)
Wednesday, August 22 at 6:30pm | Ogden Park (6500 S. Racine Ave.)
Thursday, August 23 at 6:30pm | Piotrowski Park (4247 W. 31st St.)
Friday, August 24 at 6:30pm | Loyola Park (1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.)
Saturday, August 25 at 6:30pm | Loyola Park (1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.)
Sunday, August 26 at 4:00pm | Ping Tom Memorial Park (1700 S. Wentworth Ave.)

“We are proud to partner with Chicago Shakespeare Theater to bring free Shakespeare to our beautiful neighborhood parks,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent and CEO Michael P. Kelly. “This is just one of the 1,200 multidisciplinary and multicultural Night Out in the Parks offerings that everyone is invited to come, see and experience in Chicago’s parks this summer.”

The tour is made possible by a partnership between Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Boeing, and production sponsor BMO Harris Bank. Since the inception of the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program seven years ago, more than 130,000 Chicagoans have taken advantage of free performances in their communities.

Six of the performances will be ASL-interpreted by Elizabeth Bartlow Breslin and Will Lee:

Friday, August 03 at 6:30pm | Eckhart Park (1330 W. Chicago Ave.)
Saturday, August 04 at 6:30pm | Welles Park (2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.)
Wednesday, August 08 at 6:30pm | Tuley Park (501 E. 90th Pl.)
Tuesday, August 14 at 6:30pm | Ridge Park (1817 W. 96th St.)
Saturday, August 25 at 6:30pm | Loyola Park (1230 W. Greenleaf Ave.)
Sunday, August 26 at 4:00pm | Ping Tom Memorial Park (1700 S. Wentworth Ave.)

There will also be an audio-described performance on Sunday, August 12 at 4:00pm at Frank J. Wilson Park (4630 N. Milwaukee Ave.) for audience members with vision impairments. Assistive-listening devices are available for all performances.

For more information, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/parks.