June 25, 2020 Update – The Festival officially announced the postponement of both Much Ado About Nothing, the 20th Anniversary Shakespeare in the Park production, as well as our fall program, “Shakespeare in the Streets: The Ville.” Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Bruce Longworth, has been rescheduled for the 2022 summer season, and “Shakespeare in the Streets: The Ville”, written by Mariah Richardson and directed by Thomasina Clarke, will take place in September 2021. 

“In the end it boiled down to the safety of the artists,” said producing artistic director Tom Ridgely. “The actors’ union hired a very well-qualified epidemiologist to assess the situation, and their determination was that it just wouldn’t be safe to return to work this summer. We wish it could be otherwise, but we have to trust the experts and not take any chances when it comes to people’s health and wellbeing. We’ll be back though, and we’re already looking forward to how good it will feel when we can all be together again.”

The Festival will spend the additional time investing in The Ville, working closely with 4the Ville and Young Friends of the Ville, its partner organizations on Shakespeare in the Streets. 

“I am saddened about the delay but excited about the extra time and opportunity to really learn about the residents of the Ville. Their story is rooted in the earliest history of our city. And a story crying out to be heard.” said playwright Mariah Richardson. 

In lieu of the original scheduled 20th-anniversary production of Shakespeare in the Park, the Festival is offering a new socially-distant walking experience in Forest Park. A LATE SUMMER NIGHT’S STROLL, will take guests on a 90-minute walk through some of the park’s most iconic spots and hidden gems. The STROLL will use music, dance and visual art to offer a new and surprising way of experiencing both the story and the park. Read more.