Yesterday, Shakespeare In The Park made its way to Humboldt Park in my neighborhood. This year they are presenting two abbreviated versions of Shakespeare plays, Richard III with puppets and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
As of this writing, today’s scheduled event for Sherman Park has been canceled because of air quality issues.
This isn’t going to be a full review, just a few comments on an afternoon well spent in a beautiful Milwaukee County park. Link to other sites below.
The Optimist Theatre has been doing Shakespeare in the Park for a good number of years. They have created a very efficient means of presenting the plays in the park (not in a band shell or stage but out on the grass). So bring our own chair!! For 2026 they have four actors in the cast who play all of the characters in both plays. This year’s cast is Kaylene Howard, Rebekah Farr, Annalyse Lapajenko and Libby Amato.
Richard III is a puppet production, except Richard is played by Libby Amato. The other actors wield and voice the various puppets who take on the other roles in the play. Think cuddly Muppet types who resemble any number of animals. And often as they enter or exit, they will bark, meow, hoot, or hiss. A bit of levity indeed. Richard III runs 60 minutes.
The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff’s Tale follows a bit later with all roles played by our intrepid four actors. This show runs about 50 minutes and has all the hallmarks of Shakespeare’s farcical side. It is a lot of fun as well.
A good opportunity to introduce yourself or someone you love to Shakespeare. Admission is FREE.
More details, dates, and information here.
There are some side events too to hold your attention and lighten your day. Here is the daily schedule:
1:00 PM … Games and activities open
Available all afternoon, including….
- Renaissance-era games… yes, even the giant Jenga
- Bard-themed trivia and activities
- Make your own garland… a free, all-ages activity
1:40 PM … All About Richard III
The low-down, the gossip, the history, and oh, the drama.
2:00 PM … Richard III (Puppet Edition)
About 3:30 PM … Reset the stage reconfiguration and shift to follow the shade. Just relax and enjoy the day. We’ll let you know when it’s done so you can adjust your lawn chairs.
4:15 PM … All About The Merry Wives of Windsor
Our version, (is it really all about Falstaff?) and what we’ve gotten ourselves into.
4:30 PM … Early Music Now
(Approx. 25 minutes)
5:00 PM … The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff’s Tale
With live musical accompaniment by Early Music Now.
MKE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK TOUR:
- Sat, July 25 – Lincoln Park
- Sun, July 26 – Grant Park
- Sat, August 1- Lake Park
- Sun, August 2 – Jackson Park
- Sat, August 8 – Kern Park
- Sun, August 9 – Wisconsin Avenue Park
- Sun, August 16 – Schauer Arts Center
Whoops…that got longer than I expected.