Shakespeare is joining Waukegan Park District's Movies in the Park program

For more than 15 years, Waukegan residents flocked to free showings of movies in the city's parks and this year the Waukegan Park District is adding Shakespeare in the Park, offering live theater in an outdoor setting.
Angela Marcum, a cultural affairs specialist for the park district, said Movies in the Park draws hundreds of people to an evening of free movies and popcorn as well as other activities. She has seen outdoor performances of Shakespeare elsewhere and wants to introduce them to Waukegan.
'We celebrate the arts in Waukegan, and this brings a different experience to the community,' Marcum said. 'We've added another place people can see live theater for free. We're trying to make theater accessible and we're also trying to inject some joy into the community.'
Known for tragedies and comedies, Marcum selected an abridged one-hour version of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' It is one of the playwright's lighter works and suitable for family entertainment.
Movies in the Park opens with a showing of 'Moana 2' Saturday evening at Victory Park in Waukegan, with 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' premiering at 6 p.m. on July 21 at Bowen Park, giving people a variety of free entertainment.
With a cast of 16 actors, Marcum said there will be two performances of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' Along with the staging on June 21, there will be a 3 p.m. show on June 22 at the same location.
'It's in the formal gardens at Bowen Park,' Marcum said, 'People can bring their picnic and blankets. There are also benches in the area.
Deanna Dietz is directing 'A Midsummer Night's Dream. She has 30 years of experience acting and doing a variety of theater-related tasks. She directed Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' at a theater in San Diego a few years ago. She believes people will relate to the show.
'People can see themselves in the characters,' Dietz said. 'People can relate to Shakespeare because his themes are timeless. This play is family-friendly. Children will enjoy it too.':
Family-friendly is also the byword for the five movies. Marcum said the pictures start at dusk at a different park throughout the summer. There are also activities for everyone there starting at 7 p.m. The Arts Park van arrives around then and people can do an art project before the show.
'We pick movies people want to see and are still popular,' Marcum said.
Each movie night has an attraction other than Arts Park. On opening night, Marcum said a dentist from Orthodontic Experts will be handing out free floss. The Waukegan Public Library's mobile van will come to some of the movie nights.
'If' is the movie on July 12 at Diversity Park. Marcum said Culver's will be offering free frozen custard as long as supplies last. 'Mufasa' is showing July 26 at Country Lane Park,
Movie night will be part of the city's annual Touch a Truck and Waukegan Night Out on Aug. 8 at the Waukegan Municipal Beach. 'The Garfield Movie' will be shown.
'Inside Out 2' will finish the season Aug. 16 at Bowen Park. The movie will be shown as part of the 25th annual Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine Arts & Music Festival.

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