Bring your blanket and snacks, free Shakespeare in the park is back in Kansas City
The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival is underway at Southmoreland Park at 4600 Oak St., right by the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum. It’s open until July 2 and is closed on Mondays.
The 31st year brings William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” led by University of Minnesota theater instructor Bruce Roach. He’s playing Prospero and is backed by local actors.
WHAT TIME SHOULD I GET THERE?
The show schedule runs as follows, weather permitting:
6 p.m: Gates open. Food and drink are available from vendors through intermission.
6:30 p.m: Pre-show parody performed by Team Shakespeare
7 p.m: Show talk
7:15 p.m: Pre-show parody performed by Team Shakespeare
8 p.m: “The Tempest” performance. The show is around two-and-a-half hours with a 15-minute intermission.
Only service animals can enter the park while the play is running.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The show is free for everyone to attend, and you can bring your own food and drinks, even alcohol. You have to be 21 and up to bring or purchase alcohol at the vending booths at the park. Heart of America also sells food at booths when you walk in.
You can pay for reserved seating if you’d rather sit close to the stage. It costs $25 for Sunday through Thursday performances or $35 for performances on Friday and Saturday.
You can reserve your seats by clicking on the calendar here, selecting the date you want to go and clicking on “click here to register online.” You can also call 816-531-7728 to reserve your seats for any date.
Otherwise, you can bring your own blankets and chairs to watch the show.
WHERE SHOULD I PARK?
If you’re looking for parking, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s parking garage costs $14 per car, and it’s cash only. Otherwise, you can park at these locations for free:
44th Street and Warwick Boulevard
45th Street and Oak Street
48th Street and Rockhill Road
UMKC Oak Street Parking Garage
For more free and low-cost events happening around Kansas City, check out The Star’s summer festival and concert guides.
