"Comedy of Errors"
14th Annual Free Shakespeare On The Common Production
July 31 - August 16

With summer in full swing, can Shakespeare On The Common be far behind?

"The Comedy of Errors," directed by Commonwealth Shakespeare Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler, will be performed July 31 - August 16 outdoors at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, in partnership with the City of Boston and Mayor Menino.

This year's program is expected to draw an estimated 75,000 people spread over 17 performances. Performances will take place Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m., with matinees Sunday, August 8, at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, August 12, at 12:30 p.m. All performances are weather permitting.

The cast features a list of local favorites including Remo Airaldi, Larry Coen, Jennifer Ellis, Karl Baker Olson, and Fred Sullivan, Jr., along with some newcomers as well.

One very important part has not yet been fully cast. The company is in search of some four-legged cast members –specifically greyhound dogs. One dog is needed each night, and will be required to walk across the stage on a leash, accompanied by an actor

2009 marks the company’s first Boston Common production since severing ties from the Citi Performing Arts Center in 2008. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is once again an independent non-profit organization, as it was prior to that relationship, which began in 2004.

The Company is responsible for raising the entire budget for this year’s production, and needs an additional estimated $18,000 to reach its 2009 goal. “Truthfully, we’re hoping to exceed that goal,” commented company General Manager Gali Halpern.

Maler added, "We’re confident we’ll reach our goal. Many people -- from the Mayor, to the business community, to the 500,000 people who have seen our productions -- have made it very clear that they value what we do. It’s not an easy time to be raising money, but we are reaching out to people and getting positive support.”

In addition to the annual Boston Common production, the company will continue offering Shakespeare-related programming, such as May's "King Lear" panel discussion produced with the Federalist Society and June's Shakespeare Salon with author Anita Diamant and actor Jennifer Dundas. This summer, CSC will also offer a “Tour of the Parks,” with “Shakespeare on Love” a Shakespeare-inspired program designed for families.

For more information, visit www.commshakes.org.

-- OnStage Boston