Playwright

“The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” — the story of Prince Hamlet's attempts to exact revenge on his uncle, who has murdered Hamlet's father to seize the throne and marry his mother.

EPSG:4326

Hamlet

Appalachian State University

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night meets the intoxicating madness of music from the  Roaring 1920s Jazz Age in a production adapted and directed by David Feldshuh for Cornell’s Department of Performing and Media Arts. Twelfth Night features a cast of twenty-two including fourteen actors, a singing chorus, dancers, and the onstage presence of professional jazz musician, Mike Carbone, on the saxophone and flute.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night: Mad Love, Mad Music

Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts

The Duke’s Theatre Company presents  Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a bold reimagining of the iconic tragedy directed by Joseph Pitcher. Pitcher’s acclaimed credits include My Fair Lady at The Mill at Sonning, Bard from the Barn at the Barn Theatre Cirencester, and The Winter’s Tale at Theatre on the Bay in Cape Town.

Romeo & Juliet

artsdepot

“Love and hope! […] Romeo, I hold you. You hold me. Now we are happy! Let us die this way!” – Georg Anton Benda, who became Kapellmeister of the Gotha court orchestra in 1750, was particularly known for his melodramas, which were strongly influenced by Rousseau's Enlightenment spirit. Among these is “Romeo and Juliet,” the very first musical adaptation of Shakespeare's drama. The melodramatic singspiel premiered on September 25, 1776, in Gotha, in what is now the Ekhof Theater. Although the Leipzig publisher described the work as an “opera” on the title page, this so-called “drama with songs” became one of the most popular pieces of its kind well into the 19th century. The strikingly virtuosic solo parts certainly contributed to this success. Even Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is said to have been impressed by “Romeo and Juliet.” Unlike Shakespeare's tragedy, the work ends with a happy ending. This was a risky undertaking for Benda, but the librettist Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter recognized the potential for genre-specific advancements. With "Romeo and Juliet," Benda achieved a particularly nuanced musical realization of the otherwise tragic love story. The work is characterized by its soulful melodies, vivid characterization, and emphasis on the characters' inner conflicts. Benda utilized the possibilities of instrumentation to amplify moods such as love, despair, and tension, and placed great emphasis on the musical portrayal of psychological subtleties.

ROMEO AND JULIE – Ekhof Festival – Baroque Impulse

Schloss Friedenstein Gotha

The Roman general Titus Andronicus returns from war with four prisoners who vow to take revenge against him. They rape and mutilate Titus' daughter and have his sons killed and banished. Titus kills two of them and cooks them into a pie, which he serves to their mother before killing her too. The Roman emperor kills Titus, and Titus' last remaining son kills the emperor and takes his place.

Titus Andronicus

Samuell-Grand Park

Pack the picnic basket and experience Shakespeare to the fullest, in a colorful and accessible take on the tragedy and family drama "King Lear". Performed on the lawn by Thisted Kirke. Free performance in the annual SHAKES format.

King Lear

Thisted Kirke

Hamlet has become a gardener – and the audience is right up close. A 20-minute wordless family performance under open sky at Kronborg Castle, a distilled version of Shakespeare's Hamlet with two lawnmowers.

Hamlet's Doubt

Kronborg Castle

The stage is set in a hot dog stand on the street, where Shakespeare's great drama is brought to life with sausages, buns, and two storytelling sausage-princesses. The performance is a nonverbal and satirical mini-version of Hamlet, presented as entertaining street theatre for audiences of all ages.

Hamlet – street theatre in a hot dog stand

Pladsen bag Værftets Madmarked

The stage is set in a hot dog cart on the street, where Shakespeare's great drama is brought to life with sausages, buns, and two eager-to-tell hot dog princesses. The performance is a satirical miniature version of Hamlet, entirely without words, served as entertaining street theatre for all ages.

Hamlet in a Hot Dog Cart

Romeo e Giulietta

Circus Maximus

Young lovers escape to a wonderland of freedom and desire, drawn together and torn apart by forces they can’t quite control in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s 30th Anniversary production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare’s classic comedy is transported to a neon-lit festival escape, where rules dissolve and self-expression blossoms.  

The air pulses with music, mystery, and mischief as Puck (The Skivvies’ Nick Cearley) and his fairy band move like shadowy DJs of fate, remixing hearts with a single drop of enchanted nectar. Every corner of the festival grounds hums with temptation, transformation, and the electric thrill of love and community.

Directed by CSC Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler, this Free Shakespeare on the Common production runs July 22 through August 9, 2026, at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, presented in partnership with the City of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston Parks and Recreation, and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Parkman Bandstand

A free comic adaptation after Shakespeare. Sir John Falstaff and his three cronies scrape by in Windsor; when his double-dealing with two citizens' wives is uncovered, the ladies plot a sweet revenge. Solo comedy with Bernd Lafrenz, directed by Abel Aboualiten.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Agora-Kultur am Ostbahnhof

Desperate to escape their unhappy fates, young lovers Demetrius, Lysander, Helena and Hermia flee Athens for the moonlit woods. There – along with a band of amateur actors – they fall under the spell of mischievous fairy Puck and tumble into a dream world where illusion and reality are hilariously confused.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Royal Shakespeare Company

Falstaff decides to fix his financial woe by seducing the wives of two wealthy merchants. The wives find he sent them identical letters and take revenge by playing tricks on Falstaff when he comes calling. With the help of their husbands and friends, the wives play one last trick in the woods to put Falstaff's mischief to an end.

Merry Wives of Windsor

Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a spellbinding comedy that whisks audiences into an enchanted forest where mistaken identities, mischievous magic, and outrageous humour collide.

Midsummer Nights Dream

Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre

En hævntragedie om magt, svig og smerte, fortalt nonverbalt – i en anderledes let og legende tone.

Spaghetti Hamlet

Pavilion K

When Hamlet returns home, nothing is as it was before. His father is dead, his mother Gertrude has remarried his uncle Claudius, who now rules Denmark. For young Hamlet, the world has been turned upside down. Then his father's ghost appears and complains that Claudius poisoned him. Can that be true? Who can he still trust – the living, the dead, himself? With the help of a troupe of actors, Hamlet sets out to uncover the truth. But the play within the play becomes a trap: Hamlet is caught in an endless loop of his own story. Scenes repeat themselves, shifting perspectives and revealing new truths. It becomes almost impossible to distinguish between appearance and reality. Following the great success of ‹Ein Sommernachtstraum›, the Basel-based company once again turns its attention to a Shakespeare masterpiece. Who is acting and who is not? And if everyone is acting, who can still be truthful?

Theater Basel

A beautiful marriage and a brilliant military career are destroyed by the devious manipulations of a vindictive comrade. Heroism and dishonour walk hand in hand in this gripping tale of jealousy, regret and revenge.

Othello

Stratford Festival

Young love blooms brightly in the gardens of Verona, but it cannot escape the changing of the seasons. Directed by CSC’s Associate Artistic Director, Bryn Boice, this fresh and imaginative production sets Shakespeare’s heartfelt tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, inside Friar Laurence’s greenhouse, where young love and peril grow side by side. 

CSC’s annual Stage2 performances of Shakespeare’s most popular plays are designed for middle and high school audiences. Students just discovering Shakespeare  — and die-hard fans, as well  — won’t want to miss this tragically beautiful take on one of The Bard’s most famous works.

Stage2: Romeo and Juliet

Strand Theatre Dorchester

Strange things happen in the woods by night, with neither spirit nor mortal safe from the wiles of the trickster Puck. For mismatched lovers, romance runs delightfully amok, but true love triumphs at dawn.

On an enchanted island, a deposed duke uses his magical powers to conjure a storm at sea, bringing him face to face with the brother who betrayed him. As old quarrels are resolved, love blossoms for a new generation.

The Tempest

When a love-struck teenager is forced to marry a man, rather than the women she loves, she has a few options: certain death, live a lie, move to a nunnery… or flee to a messy, neon rave in an enchanted forest!

Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Grief can play tricks on the mind, even conjure ghosts. But when Hamlet’s dead father appears to him one night, he signals murder, not madness.

Marlowe Theatre

York Theatre Royal

Calling all English GCSE students, teachers, and literature lovers! Dickens Theatre Company proudly presents Macbeth, Shakespeare’s bloodiest and most thrilling tragedy, arriving at New Victoria Theatre in April 2026.

Revision on Tour: Macbeth

New Victoria Theatre

Migdalia Cruz’ new version of Macbeth cuts to the grief and core of Shakespeare’s classic like you've never seen before!

Macbeth

Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture

Following the sold out premiere of Richard II, the Magic Theatre partners with Play On Shakespeare for a new version of Macbeth by legendary writer Migdalia Cruz, directed by Liam Vincent. Set in a gritty 1970’s New York City, Catherine Castellanos (Macbeth) and Sarah Nina Hayon (Lady Macbeth) lead an all-star cast in a performance delivering a fast, bloody, gritty, and fun story of murderous ambition.

Ballet Jörgen’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a whimsical adaptation of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, blending love, mischief, and magic.

Ballet Jörgen Presents: A Midsummer Nights Dream

Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts

In Verona, daily life is overshadowed by the (street) battles between two families, the Montagues and the Capulets. The two patriarchs orchestrate this conflict from their back rooms, constantly fueling the violence. Their children and friends are also riddled with prejudice, making carefree celebration and freedom impossible. Despite their animosity, Romeo and Juliet fall in love and are swept into a maelstrom of hatred and violence that seals their fate. Directed by Charlotte Sprenger, who brings canonical literature into the present with her unique pop aesthetic, Shakespeare's classic becomes a visually stunning plea for the power of love in the face of brutality.

Romeo and Juliet: Tragedy by William Shakespeare

Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden

When Scottish warlord Macbeth meets three witches, they share a prophecy with him: he will become king. Driven by the prophecy – and incited by his wife Lady Macbeth – he murders the sitting king and seizes power for himself. But guilt and fear haunt Macbeth. Is he trapped in a nightmare of his own making?

Uppsala City Theater

A bold new production of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, set in contemporary Africa in the near future, directed by Ann Ciccolella.

The Long Center for the Performing Arts

What are the contributing factors at play? How can you as a writer be thinking about your work for those stages and what are we as readers and programmers considering?

Outer Limits - Writing Plays with Big Lungs

Queen's Theatre Hornchurch

Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question - you know the one.

The Pavilion Gardens

Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one. National Theatre Deputy Artistic Director, Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Operation Mincemeat) directs this sharp, stylish and darkly funny reimagining.

NT Live: Hamlet

Chelmsford Theatre

Romantic entanglements with a modern twist – that’s what actors Koen De Graeve & Ariane van Vliet and Peter Van den Begin & Tine Reymer bring, together with the musicians of Casco Phil. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is, alongside Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare’s most famous works. With themes like love at first sight, jealousy, betrayal, and reconciliation – all blended with wit – this classic comedy remains timeless. Felix Mendelssohn composed vibrant music for the play, now brought to life on stage. Director Tom Goossens adapted the original script into a contemporary version, turning the entire venue into a theatrical playground.

A middle-aged actor opens the doors to his studio. Here we meet him in yet another attempt to create art. Like another alchemist in search of gold, he is looking to animate something and someone. Not least himself.

The Devil Project

Sort/Hvid

Bellini's depiction of the story portrays the Capuleti and Montecchi as rival political factions (Guelph and Ghibelline respectively), distinct from the  Shakespearean version. Capellio is the father of Giulietta (Juliet) and the leader of the Capuleti. Giulietta is betrothed to Tebaldo (Tybalt), however she has already met and fallen in love with Romeo, leader of the Montecchi (Montagues). This is a secret to all but Lorenzo (Lawrence), her doctor and confidant. Complicating matters, Romeo has inadvertently killed the son of Capellio (Giulietta's brother) in battle.

Millikan High School

Duke Frederik steals the title and power from his brother, the heir to the throne. Their daughters sneak away from the court into exile in the forest, where a colorful mix of outcasts under their deposed brother try to form a new society with different rules, conventions and norms. Errors, confusion, disguises, lovers: Nurkan Erpulat devotes himself to Shakespeare's version of a pastoral romantic comedy that deals with the themes of inheritance, exile and class with lust and humor.

As you like it

Grenland Friteater's outdoor staging of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, presented in Eventyrskogen at Sundjordet. Translation by Robert Emil Berge; direction and adaptation by Lars Vik.

Sundjordet

“So…once more… tell me about this Ghost.” That’s how the legendary story begins. But ghosts are tricky things. Especially in a world of madness, murder, and mayhem. A rich entitled Prince goes on a ferocious rampage that will lead to a massacre in the living room. Is he a tragic hero as we’ve often been told? Or a royal blooded serial killer? In this new adaptation we will step into a Shakespearian noir through a forensic investigation of the ultimate crimes of passion.

It’s been a half a century since Hamlet was produced at the Taper and next season Tony Award® nominated visionary, Robert O’Hara, who directed the landmark box office hit Slave Play, returns to stage one of the most famous tales ever told.

Center Theatre Group

Toni’s visually stunning Silk and Steel opens the program and immerses audiences in Renaissance festivities – huzzah! The strength of steel and the flow of colorful silks are woven into choreography that is both edgy and exciting. This joyful work is the perfect pairing for one of literature’s brightest tales, and a spectacular close to Toni’s Tribute Season.

Eugene Ballet: A Midsummer Night's Dream, with Orchestra Next

Hult Center for the Performing Arts

### Event Description: Romeo and Juliet by Cleveland Ballet

**Event:** Romeo and Juliet  
**Presented by:** Cleveland Ballet  
**Dates and Times:**  
- May 16: 10:30 AM (Student Matinee) & 7:00 PM  
- May 17: 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM  

**Venue:** Playhouse Square

**Event Overview:**
Experience the timeless tale of "Romeo and Juliet," an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic play, brought to life through the exquisite choreography of Robert Weiss and the evocative score by Sergei Prokofiev. This ballet tells the tragic story of two young lovers from the feuding Montague and Capulet families. 

**Storyline:**
The narrative begins with a grand ball where Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, meet and fall deeply in love at first sight. Despite the ongoing conflict between their families, they secretly marry. However, their happiness is short-lived as a series of misunderstandings lead to their final acts of love, culminating in a heart-wrenching tragedy.

**Production Credits:**
- **Choreographed by:** Robert Weiss
- **Staged by:** Timour Bourtasenkov, Cleveland Ballet
- **Music:** Score by Sergei Prokofiev

**Ticket Information:**
Single tickets can be purchased through Playhouse Square's official site or by contacting Cleveland Ballet Ticketing at 216.320.9000 x 107 or ticketsclevelandballet.org.

**Additional Information:**
The show has a runtime of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including an intermission. 

Join us for an unforgettable evening of love, conflict, and breathtaking ballet performance.

Romeo and Juliet

Mimi Ohio Theatre

Experience the timeless tragedy of "Romeo & Juliet" brought to life by the Cleveland Ballet at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. This adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic play unfolds the heart-wrenching love story of two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who, despite belonging to feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, fall deeply in love. Their tale of passion, secret marriage, and a series of unfortunate misunderstandings leads to a poignant conclusion, making "Romeo & Juliet" a must-see ballet performance.

**Event Dates & Times:**
- Friday, May 16, 2025, at 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM
- Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM

**Location:** Mimi Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square, Cleveland

**Ticket Sales:** Tickets will be available for purchase starting June 5 at 10:00 AM, with prices ranging from $30 to $131. Ensure you secure your seats early for this limited engagement.

**Special Note for Attendees with Children:** For information on attending with a child and to learn more about the suitability of this event for young audiences, please visit the official website.

As a highlight of the 2024-2025 Cleveland Ballet Subscription Packages, this performance is a testament to the enduring power of love and tragedy. For more details on season ticket packages, visit www.cleveballet.org.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness one of literature's greatest love stories interpreted through the graceful and expressive medium of ballet.

FHODS are delighted to present a Shakespeare classic and favourite - A Midsummer Night's Dream this May.

The Tower Theatre

Everything that makes Shakespeare’s play so well loved is here. The rich, feuding families. The intense, forbidden passion. And the flash of violence that tears the young lovers apart, sending them spiralling towards tragedy.

Hackney Empire

When Prince Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark, suddenly dies, Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, marries his uncle Claudius, who becomes the new king. A spirit claiming to be the ghost of Hamlet’s father says Claudius murdered him and demands that Hamlet avenge his death. Is it really his father’s spirit? Is revenge is the right decision?

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Alabama Shakespeare Festival

An intoxicating blend of tragedy and hope, the spark of young love is ignited in Romeo and Juliet. But as quickly as this romance begins, it spirals out of control amidst the chaos of rivalry, familial duty, death, and impossible choices. Artistic Director Melia Bensussen brings this Shakespeare classic to life, in a romantic production rife with desire (and sword fighting!).

Hartford Stage

Following her triumphant triple-extended New York run, a box office record-breaking two-week run at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and a six-week London run which Dame Judi Dench called “Spectacular,” Eddie Izzard performs her solo performance of Shakespeare's HAMLET at the Strand Theater for just two weeks.

Eddie Izzard HAMLET

American Conservatory Theater Strand Theater

**Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare at TheatreSquared**

**Dates:** March 5, 2025 - March 30, 2025

**Location:** TheatreSquared

**Adaptation:** Modern Verse Translation by Alison Carey

**Overview:**
Experience the timeless comedy of William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" in a vibrant new production at TheatreSquared. This reimagined classic, translated into modern verse by Alison Carey, brings to life the tale of Viola and her twin brother, separated by a shipwreck, as they navigate a world of mistaken identities, passionate pursuits, and comedic chaos. With lively music, captivating swordplay, and a fresh perspective, this production promises an unforgettable live theatre experience. TheatreSquared, in partnership with the National Asian American Theatre Company, presents this romantic comedy as part of the NAATCO National Partnership Project (NNPP).

**Special Features:**
- Lively music and captivating swordplay
- A fresh perspective on Shakespeare’s romantic comedy
- Partnership with the National Asian American Theatre Company

**Tickets:**
Enjoy a 15% savings and own the T2 experience by subscribing to our 19th Anniversary Season. Subscriber benefits include flexible, free exchanges, a monthly charge option, and up to 20% off at The Commons Bar/Café.

**Patron Guidance:**
Please note that many T2 productions contain adult language and themes, unless labeled for all ages. TheatreSquared does not provide detailed content advisories online. For detailed information on content and stage effects such as strobe lights or fog, please contact the Box Office.

**Box Office Contact:**
- Phone: 479.777.7477
- Email: tix@theatre2.org

Don't miss this opportunity to experience Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" like never before. Subscribe now to secure your tickets and enjoy the benefits of being a TheatreSquared subscriber.

Twelfth Night

TheatreSquared

Backlight Productions presents A Midsummer Night's Dream in partnership with the Nashville Shakespeare Festival in Spring 2025! Visit a magical world and follow the stories of young lovers, amateur actors, and fanciful fairies in this beloved Shakespeare classic. To learn more about Backlight Productions' mission to provide opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to gain education in the arts and perform significant roles in integrated performances.

Williamson County Performing Arts Center

Step into the hills of Appalachia in this reimagined production where the timeless story of two star-crossed lovers unfolds amidst the backdrop of tight-knit mountain communities. Family feuds echo through the valleys as the bonds of love and loyalty are tested at every turn. Experience the passion of Shakespeare’s poetry in this sparkling take on a beloved classic that will appeal to all generations.

Marcus Performing Arts Center

The comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of the most well-known and beloved works by William Shakespeare, exploring the power of love, the confusions of human emotions, and the magic of fantasy. The plot skilfully weaves together various storylines: lovers fleeing strict laws, fairy kings and queens ruling over the natural realm, and a group of clumsy craftsmen preparing a performance for the royal court. Amidst a dense forest, a setting full of secrets and inexplicable powers, love couples encounter obstacles that test their bonds. The fairy kingdom plays its own game with human love destinies, confusing lovers with a magical love potion that makes them fall in love with the first person they see. Themes such as the irrationality of love, the boundaries between reality and dream, and the dynamics between power and fantasy are skilfully interwoven. Choreographer Edward Clug, Ballet Director of the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor, dedicates himself to this classic, bringing his unique vision to the stage and transporting audiences with his vision into a world full of magic and deep emotions. The choreography highlights both the comic and dramatic aspects of the story. Clug's choreographic interpretation, set to the music specially composed by Milko Lazar for this piece, tells Shakespeare's story through a contemporary lens – a tale that explores the depths of human nature while remaining humorous and enchanting.  The music by Milko Lazar is a commissioned work that is composed in close connection with Clug's creation and will have its world premiere with the orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Ballet Arkansas is thrilled to announce its 2425 season, a dynamic showcase of ballet that promises to captivate audiences with a blend of regional and world premieres, innovative takes on classic pieces, and a deepened commitment to community engagement and partnerships. This season, Ballet Arkansas will extend its presence across notable venues including the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, The Rep, and Robinson Center, offering a rich tapestry of performances that reflect the company's artistic vision and dedication to excellence in dance.

Highlights of the 2425 season include the world premiere of "Carmen: A Fiery Tale of Passion and Betrayal," set against the stirring score of Bizet’s masterpiece. This neoclassical narrative will unfold at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts from October 11-13, 2024, offering a modern-art infused production that explores the depths of passion and betrayal. The season also features "Bold New Moves - Debut Works by Next-Gen Choreographers," a free public event at Argenta Plaza from September 13-15, 2024, showcasing world premieres by emerging choreographers alongside Q&A sessions that delve into their creative processes.

The Nutcracker Spectacular, a cherished holiday tradition, returns with live music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra from December 13-15, 2024, at the Robinson Center. This production, supported by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, promises enchanting updates to costumes and sets, ensuring a fresh and mesmerizing experience for all ages. Additionally, the season offers "Romeo & Juliet - The World's Greatest Love Story" during Valentine’s Week, February 14-16, 2025, at the Robinson Center, featuring Prokofiev’s epic score performed live by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Other season highlights include "Encore - The Seven Deadly Sins," an adults-only evening of dance and storytelling at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre from October 24-26, 2024, and "Nouveau," an avant-garde performance presented by the Stella Boyle Smith Trust at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts from April 25-27, 2025. The season will also feature "A Midsummer Night's Dream," a condensed version of Shakespeare's tale set to Felix Mendelssohn's score, from April 25-27, 2025, at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.

Ballet Arkansas invites audiences to immerse themselves in a season of breathtaking performances that celebrate the beauty, emotion, and artistry of ballet. Tickets for these not-to-be-missed events will be available for purchase on specified dates, with community cast audition dates also announced for those wishing to participate in select productions. Join Ballet Arkansas for a season of bold new moves, timeless classics, and innovative storytelling that will leave you inspired and moved.

Romeo & Juliet - The World's Greatest Love Story  with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

Robinson Center

Experience the magic and whimsy of Shakespeare's beloved romantic comedy, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," like never before at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This enchanting production, adapted and directed by the renowned Edward Hall, promises to captivate audiences with its portrayal of young love, foolishness, and the delightful chaos brought on by magic and enchantment. Set in the intimate Courtyard Theater, this adaptation is part of the Short Shakespeare series, designed to introduce the wonders of Shakespeare to middle and high school students from across the region.

From February 8 to March 8, 2025, the theater will host a special five-week run of school matinees, welcoming over 20,000 students to experience the exhilaration of this timeless story. Additionally, the public will have the opportunity to enjoy this 75-minute production during Saturday performances, making it a perfect weekend outing for families, Shakespeare enthusiasts, and newcomers alike.

Edward Hall, celebrated for his dynamic and engaging adaptations, shares his excitement about creating this Short Shakes production. He aims to warm hearts and delight souls, inspiring young audiences and future artists with a comedy that resonates across ages. This production is a testament to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater's ongoing commitment to providing exceptional theater experiences for young people.

Don't miss this opportunity to dive into a world where the boundaries between dream and reality blur, and love leads the way through a night of enchantment and laughter. With no intermission, the 75-minute run time ensures a captivating experience from start to finish. Tickets will go on sale later this summer, so be sure to mark your calendars for a magical journey to the heart of Shakespeare's imagination at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier.

Short Shakespeare A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

On the shortest night of the year, the magical and mortal worlds collide. What could possibly go wrong? Shakespeare gives us a clue: “The course of true love never did run smooth.” In this beloved tale of mischief and merriment, four stories are cleverly woven together: the marriage of the Athenian duke to the Amazon queen; a spat between the fairy king and queen; the follies of four lovers; and the hilarious antics of amateur actors staging a play. When the exhilarating night in the forest finally resolves to (almost) everyone’s satisfaction, a new day of love, joy and reconciliation dawns. Brimming with wit and wisdom, Shakespeare’s most popular play will enchant you.

Guthrie Theater

It’s the toughest winter ever in Sicilia Court, a rundown council estate still waiting to be levelled up.

High costs and low wages mean cold homes, hungry stomachs and desperate minds – it’s impossible for anyone to hold their nerve here.

The Winter’s Tale

Derby Theatre

Ambition, power and political unrest explode onto the stage in The Merchant of Venice 1936, direct from selling out the RSC and London’s West End. 

Starring Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders, Doctor Who) as Shylock, Shakespeare’s classic is transported to 1930s Britain in this “striking and impactful” (Guardian) new production that “makes theatre history” (The Telegraph). It is adapted by Brigid Larmour and Tracy-Ann Oberman. 

The Merchant of Venice

Trafalgar Theatre

Featuring James’ captivating mix of storytelling, comedy and music (as well as Shakespeare’s Hamlet) this remarkable road trip follows his critically acclaimed run at 2023’s Edinburgh Festival, the sell-out show Learning to Fly and The Songs of Friendship Trilogy.

Piece of Work

Traverse Theatre

Each night, a rotating cast member will get genuinely spiffingly splifficated and attempt to perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream as you have never seen before. Making for a different show every night, nobody (not even the cast) knows in which direction the show will stumble. Come and get fuddled in the forest with us!

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare®: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Kenton Theatre

Shakespeare's delightful comedy of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements, is a family-friendly spectacle that promises laughter and joy for all. Set in the whimsical land of Illyria, the play follows the adventures of Viola, who, disguised as a man, finds herself at the heart of a hilarious series of misunderstandings and mishaps. With a colorful cast of characters, the play is a merry dance of romance, comedy, and playful deception perfect for audiences of all ages.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Next year, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® are pouring their legendary cock-eyed chaos into the Bard-shaped vessel that is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Think drunken donkeys, fandangled fairies and mullered mechanicals… it’s hard to imagine anything more magical, right?

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare ® A Midsummer Night's Dream

Norwich Theatre Royal

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare are pouring their legendary cock-eyed chaos into the Bard-shaped vessel that is A Midsummer Night's Dream. Think drunken donkeys, fandangled fairies, and mullered mechanicals... it's hard to imagine anything more magical, right?

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare

The Haymarket

This year, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® are pouring their legendary cock-eyed chaos into the Bard-shaped vessel that is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Think drunken donkeys, fandangled fairies and mullered mechanicals… it’s hard to imagine anything more magical, right?

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Join us at SOPAC for the launch of an anticipated theatrical layer to SOPAC’s historical partnership with Seton Hall University! Presenting Shakespeare’s universal tale of love and reverie A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the students of Seton Hall interpret timeless poetry & prose. Don’t miss this brilliant rendering of an ethereal classic.

South Orange Performing Arts Center

Twelfth Night is a tale of unrequited love – hilarious and heartbreaking. Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identity is a giddy mix of joy, yearning, farce, frolics and debauched revelry.

Henley Players Presents Twelfth Night

What would happen if Oberon,Titania Puck and the humans met  in the most unusual settings.

FABBA Presents…. A Midsummer Nights Dream

The Seagull

Banished from court, and newly disguised as a boy, Rosalind escapes into the forest for a groovy, pastoral adventure. There, she runs into her love Orlando (whose loyalty she works to test).

As You Like It

Grand Theatre Ontario

Adapted by Christopher Gable and Massimo Moricone, Romeo and Juliet is one of Northern Ballet’s most beloved and critically acclaimed productions. Every leap, every turn, every heartbeat breathes new life into Shakespeare’s masterpiece and invites you to rediscover the iconic love story like it’s the very first time.

Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream

Palace Theatre

Celebrated by many, Othello has risen through the ranks of the Met police. But can his hard-won reputation, his marriage to Desdemona, and his own subconscious survive the toxic systems that surround him?

Shakespeare’s Globe presents Othello

The Capitol Horsham

This Fall, The Glove Theatre and Trust Your Gut Productions bring you a new, semi-musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy of feuding fairies, mistaken lovers, and a group of wacky mechanicals.

Directed and adapted by Ashley Olmstead, A Midsummer Night’s Dream finds a new light under the southern moon, newly contextualized within the cryptic woods and mystic valleys of Southern Appalachia. This adaptation also features original music by Lillian Nevins, helping to bring this new setting for Shakespeare to life.

A Midsummer Night's Dream TYGP

The Glove Theatre

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night entertainment for the close of the Christmas season.

Viola, separated from her twin Sebastian, dresses as a boy and works for the Duke Orsino, whom she falls in love with. Orsino is in love with the Countess Olivia, and sends Viola to court her for him, but Olivia falls for Viola instead. Sebastian arrives, causing a flood of mistaken identity, and marries Olivia. Viola then reveals she is a girl and marries Orsino.

Princess Theatre Winnsboro

Returning home from university for his father, the King of Denmark’s funeral, which is also the occasion of his mother’s remarriage to his uncle, Hamlet" class="css-u850" data-mark-multiple="true">Hamlet the Prince, is visited by the ghost of his father. The ghost reveals that his brother, Hamlet’s uncle, now stepfather and King, killed him and he urges Hamlet to take revenge. Driven to distraction by the grief of his father’s death and what lies ahead of him, Hamlet is forced to confront his deepest fears and in doing so questions himself, those around him and the very nature of existence.

Broadway

Elizabeth Carter is a longtime SF Bay Area theatremaker.  Most recently she directed Wolf Play for Shotgun Players. Her recent regional directing credits include Confederates (St. Louis Rep), Steel Magnolias (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley),  and past productions Every 28 Hours Plays and A Place To Belong (A.C.T Conservatory), Stoop Stories (Aurora Theatre Co.), Sweat (Center Rep), associate director on the ripple the wave that carried me home (Berkeley Rep/Goodman Theatre) and assistant director How I Learned What I Learned (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). She directed the ground-breaking 2020 virtual King Lear, (SF Shakespeare Festival), Feel the Spirit (Shotgun Players/Colt Couer NYC). Elizabeth’s for colored girls… was awarded Broadway World’s Best Play. Her directorial film debut Bottled Spirits won Best Narrative Film at the London Pan African Film Festival. She is a recipient of the Bridging the Gap Grant and is a 2019 alum of Director’s Lab West.  Elizabeth was the inaugural SDCF Lloyd Richards New Futures Resident Director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a 2023 Lucas Arts Fellow. Elizabeth started her career as an actor with Cal Shakes (Richard II, Winter’s Tale, Romeo and Juliet) and returned in 2016 (Othello, You Never Can Tell) and taught in their summer conservatory.

As You Like It | Cal Shakes

California Shakespeare Theater Way

Unrivalled in the art of war, undefeated on the field of battle, Coriolanus is Rome’s greatest soldier.

When a legendary victory brings the opportunity of high office, he is persuaded to stand for election. But while populist politicians tell the people what they want to hear, Coriolanus refuses to play the game. As Rome’s most celebrated warrior becomes its most dangerous enemy, the future of the city and its hero hang in the balance.

David Oyelowo (Selma, Lawmen: Bass Reeves) makes his highly anticipated return to the London stage in the title role. Lyndsey Turner (Under Milk Wood, The Crucible) directs a thrilling new production of Shakespeare’s timeless political tragedy.

Coriolanus

National Theatre

What is a Season of Classics without The Bard himself? The Vero Beach Theatre Guild is proud to bring you the classic tale of star-crossed lovers, who meet and fall in love despite their families' hatred of each other.

Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet

Vero Beach Theatre Guild

Teatro La Plaza’s enigmatic interpretation of a Shakespearean classic, full of personal anecdotes from a cast made up of eight actors who have Down’s Syndrome.

The Lyceum

Hamlet by New York Circus Project transforms Shakespeare’s tragedy into a cutting-edge acrobatic performance. With artists from Cirque du Soleil and Broadway, Hamlet breaks artistic boundaries to create a rendition that challenges audience’s expectations of both Shakespeare and circus. Don’t miss your chance to watch Hamlet flip through hoops while Ophelia dances in the air. On stage at the Fine Arts Building’s Studebaker Theater from August 15th-18th, this unique production is bound to impress. Book your tickets now!

Hamlet by New York Circus Project

Fine Arts Building Chicago

Chamber music, show tunes, opera, and more! “Nate’s World: Songs of Love” sets famous arias side by side with classic popular songs and virtuosic instrumental interludes, all touching on aspects of love. From La bohème to Leonard Bernstein, Carmen to a country ballad, these are all filled with timeless, universal sentiments, and chamber music’s exquisite intimacy is the perfect setting. Conceived, curated, and performed by Nate Farrington, principal bassist of the Los Angeles Opera, joined by special guest soprano Kathleen O'Mara and PCMF Resident Artists Susie Park and Henry Kramer.

Nate's World: Songs of Love

University of Southern Maine

Join Hip to Hip Theatre Company as they celebrate seventeen years of presenting free and accessible professional classical theatre in NYC. The Winter's Tale and A Midsummer Night's Dream will tour in repertory to nine parks August 7-24.

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Events

Upcoming events

6 - 14 Nov, 2026

A Midsummer Night's Dream · L'Île Ô

Dec 16, 2026 - Jan 3, 2027

Romeo & Juliet – Love is everything · Alte Oper Frankfurt

20 - 28 Feb, 2027

Romeo and Juliet · Teatro Biondo

6 - 11 Apr, 2027

Macbeth · San Pedro Playhouse

Jul 3 - Aug 8, 2027

Twelfth Night · Shakespearefabriken i Vadstena

Past events

Oct 30, 2026

Hamlet · Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts

23 - 31 Oct, 2026

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night: Mad Love, Mad Music · Cornell University Department of Music

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