This year’s free summer theater in the city ranges from the traditional to the cutting edge, from classical Shakespeare to experimental works, staged in parks throughout the five boroughs. Sure, Al Pacino is playing Shylock in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE at the Delacorte, but there’s a whole lot else going on and very worth checking out. Keep watching this space as more free outdoor theatrical productions are announced.

Thursday, June 3
through
Sunday, June 27 Hudson Warehouse: THE TROJAN WOMEN, directed by Nicholas Martin-Smith, Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, Riverside Park, Thursday through Sunday at 6:30

Thursday, June 3
through
Sunday, June 27 Shakespeare on the Run: New York Classical Theatre presents RICHARD III, directed by Stephen Burdman, Central Park, meet at 103rd St. & Central Park West, Thursday through Sunday at 7:00

Wednesday, June 9
through
Sunday, August 1     Shakespeare in the Park: THE WINTER’S TALE, directed by Michael Greif and starring Linda Emond and Ruben Santiago-Hudson, in repertory with THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan and starring AL Pacino and Lily Rabe, with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Hamish Linklater, Jesse L. Martin, Max Wright, Heather Lind, Nyambi Nyambi, and others appearing in both productions

Thursday, June 10
through
Sunday, June 20 Gorilla Rep: A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM, with a Norwegian cast from Titan Norway, beginning at Summit Rock in Central Park, 83rd St. & CPW, and moving through the park, Thursday – Sunday at 8:00

Friday, June 11
and
Saturday, June 12 CityParks Theater: THE ETYMOLOGY OF BIRD by Zakiyyah Alexander, directed by Jade King-Carroll, Von King Park, Brooklyn, 8:00

Friday, June 18
and
Saturday, June 19 CityParks Theater: THE ETYMOLOGY OF BIRD by Zakiyyah Alexander, directed by Jade King-Carroll, Betsy Head Park, Brooklyn, 8:00

Saturday, June 19
through
Sunday, July 18 Boomerang Theatre Company: THE TEMPEST, directed by Sara Thigpen, Central Park, 69th St. & CPW, Saturday & Sunday at 2:00

Friday, July 2
through
Saturday, July 3    CityParks Theater: AMERICAN SCHEMES by Radah Blank, directed by Charlotte L. Brathwaite, St. Mary’s Park, 8:00

Thursday, July 8
through
Friday, July 23 Piper Theatre Company: NOCTURNES, directed by Nigel Williams, Old Stone House, Washington Park, JJ Byrne Playground, Friday & Saturday, 8:30

Thursday, July 8
through
Saturday, July 24 Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: LOVE’S LABOURS LOST, the Drilling Company, Municipal Parking Lot (Ludlow & Broome), Thursday – Saturday, 8:00

Thursday, July 8
through
Sunday, August 1 Hudson Warehouse: CYRANO, directed by Nicholas Martin-Smith, Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, Riverside Park, Thursday through Sunday at 6:30

Saturday, July 10    CityParks Theater: Summer Shake Up! theater program for students, with AMERICAN SCHEMES by Radah Blank, directed by Charlotte L. Brathwaite, Crotona Park, check-in 10:00 am

Saturday, July 10    CityParks Theater: AMERICAN SCHEMES by Radah Blank, directed by Charlotte L. Brathwaite, Crotona Park, 8:00

Saturday, July 17
through
Sunday, July 25 Piper Theatre Company: THE BOOK OF LIZ, by Amy Sedaris and David Sedaris, Old Stone House, Washington Park, JJ Byrne Playground, Saturday & Sunday, 8:30

Saturday, July 17
through
Sunday, August 1 Shakespeare on the Run: New York Classical Theatre presents MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, directed by Stephen Burdman, meet at Castle Clinton in Battery Park, most nights at 7:00

Sunday, July 18    River to River: CAP21 Presents Summer Stock NYC 2010 at Pace University — An Evening of Broadway Blockbusters, Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts, 5:00

Friday, July 23
through
Saturday, July 24    CityParks Theater: blood pudding by Sharon Bridgforth, directed by Baraka de Soleil, Springfield Park, 8:00

Saturday, July 24
through
Saturday, August 7 Shakespeare in the Pagoda: JULIUS CAESAR and ROMEO & JULIET, EBE Ensemble, Prospect Park Music Pagoda, Fridays & Saturdays, 1:00 & 4:00

Thursday, July 29
through
Saturday, August 14 Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: JULIUS CAESAR, the Drilling Company, Municipal Parking Lot (Ludlow & Broome), Thursday – Saturday, 8:00

Saturday, July 31
through
Sunday, September 5 Curious Frog Theatre Company: A MISDUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, multiple locations, 4:00

Thursday, August 5
through
Sunday, August 29 Hudson Warehouse: ROMEO AND JULIET, directed by Nicholas Martin-Smith, Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, Riverside Park, Thursday through Sunday at 6:30

Thursday, August 5
through
Sunday, August 29 Shakespeare on the Run: New York Classical Theatre presents MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, directed by Stephen Burdman, meet at 103rd St. & Central Park West, Thursday through Sunday at 7:00

Friday, August 6
and
Saturday, August 7    CityParks Theater:  blood pudding by Sharon Bridgforth, directed by Baraka de Soleil, Marcus Garvey Park, 8:00

Wednesday, August 11
through
Sunday, August 29 Hip to Hip Theatre: TAMING OF THE SHREW and MACBETH in repertory, multiple locations, 5:00 or 7:30

Friday, August 20
through
Sunday, August 22    CityParks Theater: GOODBAR by Waterwell, East River Park, Manhattan, 8:00

Friday, August 20
through
Sunday, August 29 Bent Quill Players: THE BUSYBODY, Dongan Lawn, Fort Tryon Park, Fridays and Saturdays at 6:00, Sundays at 1:00

Saturday, August 21
and
Sunday, August 22 One Shot Productions: A COMMEDIA OF ERRORS, La Plaza Cultural, 2:00

Monday, August 23
and
Tuesday, August 24    CityParks Theater: FIVE DAYS IN MARCH by Toshiki Okada, performed by Witness Relocation, East River Park, 8:00

Wednesday, August 25
through
Friday, August 27    CityParks Theater: BEOWULF – A THOUSAND YEARS OF BAGGAGE, performed by Banana Bag & Bodice, East River Park, Manhattan, 8:00

Saturday, August 28
and
Sunday, August 29 One Shot Productions: A COMMEDIA OF ERRORS, Wild West Playground, Central Park, 2:00