• Boston Common Performances

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    • · Vendors available
    • · Personal food & drink welcome
    • · NO ALCOHOL

  • Boston Common Performances

    All's Well That Ends Well performances are free

    ·Rent or bring a chair - rentals $7 + $3 deposit

    ·Reserve a spot close to the stage click here

  • Other Info

    Parking Boston Common Garage

    ·Restrooms available

    ·Bring a blanket to sit on

CORIOLANUS

Fool For Love

New in 2012! Shakespeare & Leadership

See Calendar for matinee schedule


American Voices

CSC's script-in-hand reading series of American classics. The 2010-2011 series featured Anthony Rapp and Jim True-Frost as guest directors alongside CSC Artistic Director Steven Maler, and starred celebrated stage and screen actors Chris Cooper, Jason Butler Harner and Jeffrey Donovan.


Shakespeare and the Law

Presented each season in partnership with the Boston Lawyers Chapter of the Federalists Society and McCarter & English. Shakespeare & the Law features a staged reading of a Shakespeare play (past performances include Othello, The Merchant of Venice and Henry V) performed by local, state and national lawyers, judges and other politicos. The presentation is followed by a panel discussion lead by a moderator.


Tour of the Parks

CSC's touring initiative to local parks. The 2011 summer season features two productions: Shakespeare on Love, a collection of scenes, songs and sonnets from Shakespeare performed by Apprentices enrolled in Summer Apprentice Program, and A Shakespearean Cabaret featuring students from New England Conservatory.


Shakespeare on the Common

A Boston tradition since 1996, CSC has been presenting fully-staged productions of Shakespeare plays free-of-charge to Boston audiences.


Commonwealth Concerts

Sponsored by New England Conservatory, Commonwealth Concerts is a series of pre-show concerts featuring a wide range of musical stylings before performances of Shakespeare on the Common.


Events

Special events--including our Annual Gala--held throughout the year to raise funds to support all of CSC's FREE programming.

  • July 25 - August 12, 2012

    CORIOLANUS

    • When:

      Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8pm; Sundays 7pm; 2 hours and 45 minutes

    • Venue:

      Parkmand Bandstand @ Boston Common

    • Need to know:

      There are NO performances on MONDAYS.

      Matinee: July 28th @ 2pm

      ASL Performance: TBD

      For information about chair rentals and reservations, visit the Support US section.

      Visit the FAQ page to answer all your questions about attending Shakespeare on the Common.

      Read More

  • November 6, 2011

    Fool For Love

    • When:

      November 6, 2011, 7pm 2 hours

    • Venue:

      Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts

    • Need to know:

      Meet the Cast and Support CSC!!!

      For a $45 donation, skip the line and receive premium seating at the reading, plus attend a post-performance reception with the cast and director! For more info, click HERE.

      Read More

  • Spring 2012

    New in 2012! Shakespeare & Leadership

    • When:

    • Venue:

      Cutler Majestic Theater

    • Need to know:

      Read More

CORIOLANUS

July 25 - August 12, 2012

  • Share

  • When:

    Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8pm; Sundays 7pm; 2 hours and 45 minutes

  • Venue:

    Parkmand Bandstand @ Boston Common

  • Need to know:

    There are NO performances on MONDAYS.

    Matinee: July 28th @ 2pm

    ASL Performance: TBD

    For information about chair rentals and reservations, visit the Support US section.

    Visit the FAQ page to answer all your questions about attending Shakespeare on the Common.

"What is the city but the people?" - Act III, Scene I

For its 17th season of Shakespeare on the Common, CSC is proud to present the political drama CORIOLANUS. The play charts the rise and fall of a powerful general as he battles enemies abroad, and a tide of popularity at home in Rome. While the war hero triumphs in the field, it's his struggle with politics, responsibility and government that threatens to undo him. 

Why CORIOLANUS?

"Demonstrations in the street, politicians jockeying for the loyalty of the populace, consolidation of wealth, tension between the "have's" and the have not's" - 2011, right?  No, this is the world of Shakespeare's Coriolanus, perhaps Shakespeare's most political play. The play explores the quixotic and symbiotic connection between the governed and the governors - an issue echoing around the globe in the Arab Spring and in our 2012 presidential election.  Coriolanus will capture the energy and passion of the community as we determine leadership of our country for the next four years.  It will be a thrilling and dramatic conversation with our audience!" --Steve Maler, CSC Artistic Director

Casting information to be announced in the late spring.

May not be appropriate for all ages. Parental discretion is advised.

    Cast: Click image to read bio