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Get ready to dive headfirst into a totally rad Shakespearean summer, where sun, swagger, and sharp-tongued banter rule the stage. This year’s productions — The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing — are reimagined with a blast of 1980s beach party flair, blending big laughs, bold choices, and a few surprises under the neon sky.
Whether it’s Beatrice and Benedick volleying zingers aboard a Yacht Rock cruise, or Katherina and Petruchio matching wits on a sun-soaked boardwalk, one thing’s clear: Love is a Battlefield*. Both shows are performed by the same trio of powerhouse performers each day. Shrew runs about 80 minutes, while our puppet-powered Much Ado is a breezy 45-minute romp. Expect quick changes, brilliant physical comedy, inventive staging (and puppetry!), and maybe even a little Hall & Oates. * With gratitude to Pat Benatar and her exceptional foresight in predicting the theme for Shakespeare in the Park 2025.
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Set against the backdrop of a neon-drenched 1980s beach party, this bold, fast-paced take on The Taming of the Shrew brings swagger, slapstick, and surf-rock energy to Shakespeare’s sharp-tongued comedy.
At its heart, this is a battle of wits and wills — reimagined with big hair, big personalities, and even bigger surprises. With just three actors playing every role, you’ll see rapid-fire character changes, inventive staging, and nonstop laughs.
Whether you're a Shakespeare fan or totally new to the Bard, this 45-minute rollercoaster delivers sun, sass, and a few unexpected twists along the way.
At its heart, this is a battle of wits and wills — reimagined with big hair, big personalities, and even bigger surprises. With just three actors playing every role, you’ll see rapid-fire character changes, inventive staging, and nonstop laughs.
Whether you're a Shakespeare fan or totally new to the Bard, this 45-minute rollercoaster delivers sun, sass, and a few unexpected twists along the way.
Step aboard our puppet-powered production of Much Ado About Nothing, where Shakespeare’s beloved comedy sets sail on a breezy Yacht Rock cruise. With smooth tunes, salty banter, and sun-soaked mischief, Beatrice and Benedick’s battle of wits gets a cheeky nautical twist.
This abridged 45-minute adventure blends live actors with handcrafted, professionally designed puppets, creating a playful world where misunderstandings run deep, crushes run rampant, and the snark is as sharp as the wardrobe is pastel.
From Hall & Oates to high jinks on the high seas, it’s the perfect summer escape — whether you’re a Shakespeare regular or just here for the vibes.
This abridged 45-minute adventure blends live actors with handcrafted, professionally designed puppets, creating a playful world where misunderstandings run deep, crushes run rampant, and the snark is as sharp as the wardrobe is pastel.
From Hall & Oates to high jinks on the high seas, it’s the perfect summer escape — whether you’re a Shakespeare regular or just here for the vibes.
Welcome to Optimist's series of lively, interactive experiences happening before and between performances. You might encounter activities like:
👉 Check the schedule to see what’s happening and when — activities vary by date and location!
- The Neverending Story - First Folio workshops
- Trading Places – Shakespearean-inspired improv games
- Ten Things I Hate About You – A look at The Taming of the Shrew
- Weird Science – Renaissance cookery demonstration
- Pretty in Pink – Costume demos and hands-on fun
- Top Gun – Introduction to stage combat
👉 Check the schedule to see what’s happening and when — activities vary by date and location!
Early Music Now is Milwaukee’s only presenter of music composed during the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Their award-winning concerts feature internationally acclaimed ensembles, along with talented local and regional musicians.
For this summer’s collaboration with Optimist Theatre, EMN musicians will perform Renaissance selections inspired by the plays of Shakespeare. Ironically, The Taming of the Shrew is one of the few plays by the Bard with no songs at all — a rarity given that most Elizabethan dramas included at least one.
Music played a vital role in Shakespeare’s world, often used to set mood, establish place, and even reflect social status. The live prelude to Shrew, featuring lute, recorders, and viola da gamba, showcases instruments Elizabethans believed could ease conflict and elevate the spirit — the perfect overture to our beachside battle of wills.
And yes — while the music is historically accurate, the performers will be dressed for the 1980s beach party that sets the tone for this season. Think less doublet and hose, more neon and flip-flops.
Performers: Tim Sterner Miller (lute), Brett Lipshutz (recorders), and Charlie Rasmussen (viola da gamba).
More at www.EarlyMusicNow.org
For this summer’s collaboration with Optimist Theatre, EMN musicians will perform Renaissance selections inspired by the plays of Shakespeare. Ironically, The Taming of the Shrew is one of the few plays by the Bard with no songs at all — a rarity given that most Elizabethan dramas included at least one.
Music played a vital role in Shakespeare’s world, often used to set mood, establish place, and even reflect social status. The live prelude to Shrew, featuring lute, recorders, and viola da gamba, showcases instruments Elizabethans believed could ease conflict and elevate the spirit — the perfect overture to our beachside battle of wills.
And yes — while the music is historically accurate, the performers will be dressed for the 1980s beach party that sets the tone for this season. Think less doublet and hose, more neon and flip-flops.
Performers: Tim Sterner Miller (lute), Brett Lipshutz (recorders), and Charlie Rasmussen (viola da gamba).
More at www.EarlyMusicNow.org
Ms. Kelley Faulkner
Introducing Our Director and Dramaturg for the 2025 Season: Ms. Kelley Faulkner*
Optimist Theatre is delighted to announce that Ms. Kelley Faulkner* will direct our 2025 season of Shakespeare in the Park! A beloved figure in Milwaukee’s theatre scene, Kelley is celebrated for her acting and singing talents, frequently showcased at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.
Building upon her impressive acting career, Kelley began her directing journey several years ago and has already built an impressive résumé. Optimist Theatre had the pleasure of working with her when she portrayed Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Her captivating performance combined Shakespearean finesse with sharp comedic timing, leaving audiences thoroughly enchanted. Now, Kelley steps into the director’s chair to lead what promises to be an exciting summer of outdoor theatre.
MORE..... Including an exclusive Q&A where Kelley shares her thoughts on the upcoming season...
Optimist Theatre is delighted to announce that Ms. Kelley Faulkner* will direct our 2025 season of Shakespeare in the Park! A beloved figure in Milwaukee’s theatre scene, Kelley is celebrated for her acting and singing talents, frequently showcased at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.
Building upon her impressive acting career, Kelley began her directing journey several years ago and has already built an impressive résumé. Optimist Theatre had the pleasure of working with her when she portrayed Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Her captivating performance combined Shakespearean finesse with sharp comedic timing, leaving audiences thoroughly enchanted. Now, Kelley steps into the director’s chair to lead what promises to be an exciting summer of outdoor theatre.
MORE..... Including an exclusive Q&A where Kelley shares her thoughts on the upcoming season...
May 14, 2025 Shakespeare in the Park Newsletter
Greetings Friends and SitP Fans:
We are pleased to share with you our 2025 Show and Cast Announcement. Read on!
Optimist Theatre Announces 2025 Shakespeare in the Park Season
A Two-Play Summer Party with Music, Games & Shakespeare — Free All Season
Milwaukee, WI — Optimist Theatre, producers of Milwaukee’s free Shakespeare in the Park (SitP), proudly announces its 2025 summer season lineup. Building on the success of the company’s recent fully touring seasons, this year’s productions will once again travel throughout the greater Milwaukee area—bringing accessible, professional Shakespeare to neighborhoods citywide.
The 2025 season features The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing, direction and dramaturgy by Ms. Kelley Faulkner*, with both productions presented back-to-back on each performance date. Audiences can also enjoy live Renaissance music from Early Music Now and Shakespeare-themed games, demos, talks, and activities hosted by The PLAY’S the Thing between performances.
Following last season’s breakout success with the puppet version of Macbeth, this year’s Much Ado About Nothing will also be reimagined through the magic of puppetry—offering a delightfully unexpected twist on Shakespeare’s romantic comedy.
Each performance is abridged to run just under or just over an hour, with both shows featuring a dynamic cast of three. Returning to the stage are SitP favorites Ms. Libby Amato**—Optimist’s brilliant 2024 one-woman Hamlet—and Ms. Brielle Richmond, joined this season by Milwaukee favorite Mr. George Lorimer**.
“Keeping Shakespeare front and center, we love pushing creative boundaries,” said Optimist Theatre Executive Director Susan Fry. “This summer, we’re inviting audiences on two bold theatrical adventures—each unique, fun, and built with care. With Kelley at the helm and this incredible trio of actors, it’s going to be a season full of imagination and heart.”
The 1980s beach party theme—Ms. Kelley Faulkner’s inspired vision for the season—infuses both productions with sun-soaked fun, retro flair, and a bold visual identity.
Faulkner shares that spirit of invention: “The challenge is the excitement! As a director and choreographer, I always relish the opportunity to create something from scratch and make it my own. We get to create two entirely unique experiences for our audiences that they will have never seen before.”
Free matinee performances will take place weekends from July 12 through August 17 at Wisconsin Lutheran College, Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum, and Washington, Humboldt, Sherman, Mitchell, Grant, Lake, Kern, Lincoln, and Wisconsin Avenue Parks.
For details, visit www.optimisttheatre.org, follow Shakespeare in the Park on Facebook at facebook.com/ShaxParkMKE, or sign up for the e-newsletter on the website. For inquiries, email Susan Fry at [email protected].
* Ms. Kelley Faulkner is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
** Indicates a member of Actors' Equity Association or appearing under an AEA contract.
About Optimist Theatre
Shakespeare in the Park is a production of Optimist Theatre, a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose roots date to 1993. Since 2010, SitP has presented free, professional live theatre to more than 30,000 audience members and employed over 300 local actors, crew, suppliers, and vendors. Optimist Theatre is a proud Small Professional Theatre with Actors’ Equity Association and the only Equity company touring Shakespeare in the Midwest.
All performances are free to attend and all artists are paid—thanks to generous support from individuals and grants from Bader Philanthropies, The Bradley Foundation, Milwaukee Arts Board, Maihaugen Foundation, Steigleder Foundation, and others.
We are pleased to share with you our 2025 Show and Cast Announcement. Read on!
Optimist Theatre Announces 2025 Shakespeare in the Park Season
A Two-Play Summer Party with Music, Games & Shakespeare — Free All Season
Milwaukee, WI — Optimist Theatre, producers of Milwaukee’s free Shakespeare in the Park (SitP), proudly announces its 2025 summer season lineup. Building on the success of the company’s recent fully touring seasons, this year’s productions will once again travel throughout the greater Milwaukee area—bringing accessible, professional Shakespeare to neighborhoods citywide.
The 2025 season features The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing, direction and dramaturgy by Ms. Kelley Faulkner*, with both productions presented back-to-back on each performance date. Audiences can also enjoy live Renaissance music from Early Music Now and Shakespeare-themed games, demos, talks, and activities hosted by The PLAY’S the Thing between performances.
Following last season’s breakout success with the puppet version of Macbeth, this year’s Much Ado About Nothing will also be reimagined through the magic of puppetry—offering a delightfully unexpected twist on Shakespeare’s romantic comedy.
Each performance is abridged to run just under or just over an hour, with both shows featuring a dynamic cast of three. Returning to the stage are SitP favorites Ms. Libby Amato**—Optimist’s brilliant 2024 one-woman Hamlet—and Ms. Brielle Richmond, joined this season by Milwaukee favorite Mr. George Lorimer**.
“Keeping Shakespeare front and center, we love pushing creative boundaries,” said Optimist Theatre Executive Director Susan Fry. “This summer, we’re inviting audiences on two bold theatrical adventures—each unique, fun, and built with care. With Kelley at the helm and this incredible trio of actors, it’s going to be a season full of imagination and heart.”
The 1980s beach party theme—Ms. Kelley Faulkner’s inspired vision for the season—infuses both productions with sun-soaked fun, retro flair, and a bold visual identity.
Faulkner shares that spirit of invention: “The challenge is the excitement! As a director and choreographer, I always relish the opportunity to create something from scratch and make it my own. We get to create two entirely unique experiences for our audiences that they will have never seen before.”
Free matinee performances will take place weekends from July 12 through August 17 at Wisconsin Lutheran College, Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum, and Washington, Humboldt, Sherman, Mitchell, Grant, Lake, Kern, Lincoln, and Wisconsin Avenue Parks.
For details, visit www.optimisttheatre.org, follow Shakespeare in the Park on Facebook at facebook.com/ShaxParkMKE, or sign up for the e-newsletter on the website. For inquiries, email Susan Fry at [email protected].
* Ms. Kelley Faulkner is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
** Indicates a member of Actors' Equity Association or appearing under an AEA contract.
About Optimist Theatre
Shakespeare in the Park is a production of Optimist Theatre, a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose roots date to 1993. Since 2010, SitP has presented free, professional live theatre to more than 30,000 audience members and employed over 300 local actors, crew, suppliers, and vendors. Optimist Theatre is a proud Small Professional Theatre with Actors’ Equity Association and the only Equity company touring Shakespeare in the Midwest.
All performances are free to attend and all artists are paid—thanks to generous support from individuals and grants from Bader Philanthropies, The Bradley Foundation, Milwaukee Arts Board, Maihaugen Foundation, Steigleder Foundation, and others.