Bay Area’s “Free Shakespeare in the Park” 2021 Festival (Sept. 4 – Oct. 10)

The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit organization that began in 1983 with Free Shakespeare in the Park’s debut production of The Tempest in Golden Gate Park.

Produced every late summer in San Francisco, Cupertino and other cities, Free Shakespeare in the Park provides an opportunity for over 30,000 people to see high quality, professional theater free of charge.

The 2021 production, Pericles, Prince of Tyre is a Jacobean adventure set in the classical past. The play spans many years in the life of the hero and his family. The action ricochets all over the Eastern Mediterranean moving from one ancient city to the next with travel animated by peril and punctuated by near-death experiences, tempests, and pirate kidnapping. These elements make Pericles an ideal play to perform episodically in miniseries fashion with cliffhangers bringing you back to for each new installment.

Episodes 1 through 3 were performed on YouTube Live and are now available to watch on demand.

Episode 4 starts with a recap of Episodes 1-3 and will be performed outdoors and in-person throughout the Bay Area, starting in Redwood City.

Free Shakespeare in the Park: Pericles, Prince of Tyre

Performed outdoors and in the park.
September 4 – October 10, 2021
Shows are approximately 90 minutes
Free

Redwood City: Grounds of Sequoia High School, 1201 Brewster (at Broadway)
– (Preview*) September 4, Saturday at 4:00 pm
– (Preview*) September 5, Sunday at 4:00 pm
– (Opening) September 6, Labor Day Monday at 4:00 pm
– September 11, Saturday at 4:00 pm
– September 12, Sunday at 4:00 pm
(*Preview performances allow the cast and crew to perfect the show before the ‘opening’. All are welcome to attend these complete performances.)

San Francisco: McLaren Park’s Jerry Garcia Amphitheater
– (Preview*) September 18, Saturday at 2:00 pm
– (Opening) September 19, Sunday at 2:00 pm
– September 24, Friday at 2:00 pm
– September 25, Saturday at 2:00 pm
– September 26, Sunday at 2:00 pm
(*Preview performances allow the cast and crew to perfect the show before the ‘opening’. All are welcome to attend these complete performances.)

Cupertino: Memorial Park Amphitheater, Stevens Creek Blvd & Mary Ave
– (Preview*) October 2, Saturday at 4:00 pm
– (Opening) October 3, Sunday at 4:00 pm
– October 8, Friday at 4:00 pm
– October 9, Saturday at 4:00 pm
– October 10, Sunday at 4:00 pm
(*Preview performances allow the cast and crew to perfect the show before the ‘opening’. All are welcome to attend these complete performances.)