Independent Arts News Reporting 
Pictured Above: PA Shakespeare Festival veteran actor of 27 years, Greg Wood (Broadway: Othello, 2025; Our Town, 2024) returns this summer in the “Extreme Shakespeare” production of Coriolanus. Wood pictured in last season’s Timon of Athens in the titular role. Photo by Kristy McKeever.
Summer Shakespeare Returns: The Productions to See in Bucks County & Pennsylvania
By: Chrysa Smith
For over 400 years, people have been doing it. And this spring/summer season is no different. From outdoor festivals to indoor theaters to children’s libraries, Shakespeare is as alive and well as ever, and here’s where you can lend an ear this season.
Up on Rt. 309, approaching the Bethlehem Area in Saucon Valley, is one darling college campus–DeSales University. “Each summer The PA Shakespeare Festival settles in and spares no time prepping. Set design starts in January, but in a matter of weeks, rehearsal, practices and performances come together, readying for preview night. Multiple seasonal productions of Shakespeare and other classics are put on by over 200 artists from around the country, including winners of the Tony, Obie, Emmy, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Jefferson and Barrymore awards, says the organization. While the Greater Philadelphia and New York markets lie within the closest vicinity, visitors from throughout the country join the millions of theater-lovers who long to get their Shakespeare fix. Shows run in the theater building on campus, in addition to other locations in the Lehigh Valley.
This year, patrons can get their fill of tragic plot lines when Romeo and Juliet hits the MainStage in their repertory production set for July 10th through August 2nd (previews on July 8th). I spoke to Connie Behringer, the Associate Producer for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Theater. She says, “Romeo and Juliet is a lot more than a love story. It’s a tragedy.” The well-known classic follows the tale of the two star-struck lovers as they navigate their love amid their families embedded feud. Like many of Shakespeare’s works, it’s a tangle of human emotion and behavior that’s not generally the best in humankind. Perhaps that’s what makes Shakespeare so timeless. Human nature is static, and the things that make us cringe are often most pertinent to our current times.
Their next production is one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known works, Coriolanus. The festival describes the protagonist Coriolanus as a a decorated and unrivaled warrior, whose pride becomes his downfall. It’s power, politics and hatred all rolled up together in a story about a man described as Shakespeare’s ‘Original Anti-Hero.’ It runs July 22nd through August 2nd. Performances run in the Schubert Theatre in the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts.
Taking it on the road, there are free performances in the Lehigh Valley that have already begun. They’re called the Play on! Community Tour, and according to Connie, “It runs for 2 ½ weeks in public spaces. It’s a great introduction to Shakespeare, which is for everyone.” The story is true to the playwright, with language set in a more contemporary setting, so people can full appreciate it.” This season it’s As You Like It—a comedy set amidst the familiar themes of political corruption, love and family, interwoven with some trickery and a magic garden.
And the kids have not been forgotten. Shakespeare for Kids runs in local libraries in both Lehigh and Bucks—and on their main stage at DeSales. “We take reparatory and make it kid-friendly,” Connie says. “It’s an exciting way to share it with the younger set. We also do camps, where local community groups and grandparents can come in to watch.”
PA Shakespeare Festival, “On The Green”—The Shakespearience before the curtain rises. PA Shakespeare Festival opens its 2026 Summer Theatre Series, running now through August 2 on the campus of DeSales University in Center Valley, PA. Before every performance, audiences can enjoy listening to live music themed to the season and dining “On the Green,” just outside the theatre.
Pictured Above: While the plays are based out of the DeSales University campus, the PA Shakespeare Festival is a private, 5013c non-profit hosted by the university. They’ve been at it since 1992, forming a great relationship with the school who has their own theater program, called Act 1. The festival is bringing in about 14 of the school’s theater students this year. “Our Young Company is a select group of DeSales students who auditioned for a spot in this program,” says Connie. “It’s a competitive program that gives them the opportunity to work with professional actors and build their resumes. Additionally, we give opportunities to DeSales students to work in our production internships.” Photo Credit: Contributed.
“The Shakespeare plays are initially decided by keeping with the group’s overall mission of creating great theater,” Connie adds. “We look at interesting, timely cohesive stories. We focus on legacy storytelling, especially with America’s 250th birthday, legends and legacy are important in the stories we tell.”
If you’re located in or close to Bucks County and want to catch a classic, check out MacBeth, presented by ActorsNET of Bucks County. Located in Morrisville, their performing arts theater is an intimate experience, with just 77 seats. For a fuller and most unique setting, you’ll want to catch the same production of MacBeth at the Fonthill Museum(castle) in Doylestown. The classic tragedy based around the effects of blind ambition, follows the story of a Scottish general headed toward his own demise—while causing much destruction along the way. While it runs through June at the Morrisville location, it’s a two-night run at the castle, July 10th and 11th. It is being produced in partnership with The Mercer Museum, who manages both The Mercer and Fonthill.
Cat Milone, Managing Director of the non-profit says this classic Shakespeare production is their final show of their 29th season. The theater company, founded by a couple who once travelled doing summer stock around the country, they settled down in Bucks County. Rather than going out to do theater, they decided to bring the theater to the community. Their final production is always Shakespeare. Cat says, “We try to balance our shows—incorporating as many classics as possible, while offering comedies, dramas, thrillers. Shakespeare is a personal passion and we refuse to let it go.” Their Shakespeare set is modeled after the Globe Theater, with columns and doors, and a changing array of tweaks to go with each show. Sometimes adapted to make the shows more welcoming to those who think Shakespeare is too hard to understand because of language or plot, world events and pop culture can weave their way in, changing the setting to a more modern era, or changing some of the language.
Every show has open auditions, and while Cat says Shakespeare can be intimidating, the lead roles are always filled. According to Cat, theater has been making a resurgence, after taking a huge hit during Covid. “Of the 6,000+ community theaters in the country, nearly 40% were lost to Covid.” Luckily, they’re looking forward to their 30th season. And for now, they invite all to throw down a blanket, open a picnic basket and watch Shakespeare under the stars. She says that’s the very best way to watch.
Performances:
July 8-Aug 2, Romeo & Juliet at DeSales University in the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts. Both afternoon and evening shows available, with ticket prices beginning at $25. Boxoffice: 610-282-WILL. www.Pashakespeare.org. 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034
June 12-28, MacBeth at ActorsNET of Bucks County
635 N Delmorr Ave, Morrisville, PA 19067, and on July 10-11, and special performance at the Fonthill Museum (Shakespeare at the Castle). ActorsNET Morrisville Theater offers both afternoon and evening performances. Both performances at the Fonthill Museum (castle) begin at 7pm. Tickets start at $35. For the Fonthill location, www.mercermuseum.org/shakespeare-at-the-castle. Preferred seating and general admission lawn tickets are available. Tickets at the Morrisville location, www.actorsnetbucks.org. General admission is $24, with discounts for seniors, vets and one community night a month where tickets are under $10.
July 22-Aug 2, Coriolanus at DeSales University, also in the Labuda Center. Tickets for this show begin at $25. Boxoffice: 610-282-WILL. www.Pashakespeare.org. 2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, PA 18034
