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JUL 19–AUG 14, 2025

By William Shakespeare
Adapted and originally staged by Edward Hall

Shakes in the City

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By William Shakespeare
Adapted and originally staged by Edward Hall

Run Time: 45 Minutes

Suitable for All Ages

This year’s Shakes in the City initiative is only possible through the generous support of our donors and board members Ray and Judy McCaskey, Gary and Virginia Gerst, Richard Porter and Lydia Marti, and Sheli Z. and Burton X. Rosenberg. 

Associate Production Sponsor

Wintrust, Chicago's Bank

Free performances and activities across the north, west, and south sides of Chicago

Shakespeare’s dreamiest romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream is brought to vibrant new life with free performances and activities in green spaces, neighborhood festivals, and events across the city. Now in the 2nd year of the annual free Shakes in the City initiative, join Puck and his feisty fairy band for Shakespeare at his most whimsical and fun—packed into just 45 minutes!

A quartet of love-sick young people are joined by a motley crew of theatricals, a fairy King and Queen in an epic showdown, and a talking donkey to boot. Delight in the exhilaration and hilarity of young love as the chaos of magic and enchantment turns the world upside down. Adapted and originally staged by CST Artistic Director Edward Hall who brings his signature clarity in storytelling and a playful staging to the comedy, this Midsummer treat now comes to Chicagoans across the city after a wildly successful run of this adaptation played for students this winter.

Run Time: 45 Minutes

Suitable for All Ages

This year’s Shakes in the City initiative is only possible through the generous support of our donors and board members Ray and Judy McCaskey, Gary and Virginia Gerst, Richard Porter and Lydia Marti, and Sheli Z. and Burton X. Rosenberg. 

Associate Production Sponsor

Wintrust, Chicago's Bank

SCHEDULE

Sat, Jul 19, 6:00
Navy Pier
| 600 E. Grand Ave. Streeterville

Sun, Jul 20, 6:00
Navy Pier |
600 E. Grand Ave. Streeterville

Tue, Jul 22, 6:00
Navy Pier | 600 E. Grand Ave. Streeterville

Wed, Jul 23, 7:00
Lot Jams @ Movement on Montrose
| 2951 W. Montrose Ave. Albany Park

Thu, July 24, 6:00
Ping Tom Memorial Park
| 1700 S. Wentworth Ave. Chinatown

Sat, Jul 26, Time TBD
Words of Wonder Literary Fest
| 10201 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Pullman

Sun, Jul 27, Time 1:00
Wicker Park Fest
Milwaukee Ave. from North Ave. to Ashland Ave. Wicker Park/Bucktown

Tue, Jul 29, 6:00
Piotrowski Park 4247 W. 31st St South Lawndale

Wed, Jul 30, 6:00
Ogden Park | 6500 S. Racine Ave. Englewood

Thu, Jul 31, Time TBD
Fiesta Del Sol |
Cermak Rd. from Ashland Ave. to Morgan St. Pilsen

Fri, Aug 1, 6:00
South Shore Beach Park |
7059 S. South Shore Dr. South Shore

Sat, Aug 2, Time TBD
Fiesta Del Sol | Cermak Rd. from Ashland Ave. to Morgan St. Pilsen

Tue, Aug 5, 6:00
Sauganash Park |
5861 N. Kostner Ave. Sauganash

Wed, Aug 6, 6:00
Wilson (Frank J) Park |
4630 N. Milwaukee Ave. Portage Park

Thu, Aug 7, 6:00
Garfield Park |
100 N. Central Park Ave. Garfield Park

Fri, Aug 8, Time 5:30
Bronzeville Summer Nights
| Park 43, 534 E 43rd St. Bronzeville

Sat, Aug 9, Time TBD
Bud Billiken Parade | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. from 35th to 55th St. Bronzeville

Tue, Aug 12, 6:00
Rainbow Beach Park |
3111 E. 77th St. South Chicago

Wed, Aug 13, 6:00
West Pullman Park
401 W. 123rd St. West Pullman

Thu, Aug 14, 6:00
Tuley Park |
501 E. 90th Pl. Chesterfield