Shakespeare in the (Grand) Park

Nothing says summer like a young romance. Add in a star-filled sky and some fairy dust magic and you have the “stuff that dreams are made on.” Grand Boulevard at Sandestin has partnered with Emerald Coast Theatre Company to stage the area’s first-ever Shakespeare-in-the-park production. This special family-friendly adaptation of William Shakespeare’s most popular romantic-comedy romp, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” will be staged free of charge in the Town Center’s Grand Park on Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. through July 30. Styled after Italy’s commedia dell’arte, four actors portray the lovers, the royals, the fairies and the mechanicals (skilled laborers) during a special 45-minute adaptation of the classic tale that shows audiences exactly why “the course of true love never did run smooth.” Anything can happen in the magic of the wood ruled by a fairy king and queen … including audience members being pulled into the playful plot. This inaugural production is part of Grand Boulevard’s Coastal Culture series. For more information, visit grandboulevard.com.