Free Shakespeare in Wolfe Park Starting This Friday

"All the world's a stage," but our little piece of the world has a special stage in Veterans Amphitheater in Wolfe Park.

The Public Theater of Minnesota (PTM) will perform in St. Louis Park again this year, this time William Shakespeare's "As You Like It."

The first performance is 8 p.m. Friday, July 5. The PTM actors will perform the play again at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 6, and Sunday, July 7. They will perform again at 8 p.m. the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday (July 12-14), as well as July 19-21.

There will be some special features of each performance, according to a news release from PTM Artistic Director Mark Hauck:

• There will be live music 30 minutes before each play.
• The second-annual Extreme Picnic Challenge will be held Saturday, July 13. "Guests are invited to let their food creativity and artistry shine with prizes for the best traditional spread, the most innovative food, the most artistic presentation, and the best costumed picnic party," according to the news release. Set-up starts at 6:30 p.m. and judging will begin at 7:15 p.m.
• "Shakespeare in Shorts," 90-minute versions of the play, will be performed on Sunday, July 14, and Sunday, July 21. The performances are intended for upper-elementary and middle school students and will include “meet the cast” introductions).