Head to the park to take in a show

Watching an outdoor summer performance is a fine way to introduce kids to the wonderful world of theater. Many performances are free (donations encouraged) and performed in parks. Bring blankets, pack a picnic, leave energetic dogs at home, remind kids of play etiquette (no talking), and ask for your kids’ review afterward. Here’s a peek at what’s “on stage” in local parks:

Seattle Shakespeare Theater

The Seattle Shakespeare Theater will be performing “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” from June 27 through August 4, at multiple parks including Volunteer Park, Luther Burbank Park, Richmond Beach Park (Shoreline), Lynndale Park (Lynnwood), Riverton Heights Park (SeaTac), Klahanie Park, Issaquah Community Center, Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center, Columbia Park, Wiggums Hollow Park (Everett), Wright Park (Tacoma) and Des Moines Beach Park. For a list of dates and locations visit seattleshakespeare.org

Seattle Outdoor Festival at Volunteer Park

The best showcase of outdoor theater in Seattle is the annual Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival in Volunteer Park, this year on Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14. Multiple companies will perform in the park including in the Conservatory, on the lawn, and in the Amphitheater.

GreenStage Theater

GreenStage will be presenting its annual Shakespeare in the Park series between July 12 and August 17, including performances of “Twelfth Night,” “Henry VI, Parts 2 & 3,” and Backyard Bard: “All’s Well That Ends Well” AND “Julius Caesar.” The company’s Backyard Bard shows (one-hour shortened versions of Shakespeare’s plays) are sometimes shown back-to-back with a generous break in between. For a list of dates and locations, go to greenstage.org

Seattle Opera

Seattle Opera will have free performances of their 2024 touring production, “Monkey and Francine in the City of Tigers” on July 20 at Othello Playground and July 21 at Highland Park. Storytime starts at 10 a.m., followed by the 45-minute opera performance at 11 a.m. It’s appropriate for all ages. Bring your own chair or blanket. Tickets available at seattleopera.org

Burien Actors Theatre

BAT will perform “Fallen Angels,” a youth-friendly comedy by the English playwright Noël Coward, on July 21 and 26 and August 4,11 and 18 at locations. It’s a delightful romp about two characters trying to keep their passionate pasts secrect. Chaos and hilarity ensue. The show schedule is at battheatre.org

Island Shakespeare Festival

Head to Langley for free (pay what you can) theater. Shakespeare’s “King Lear’’ and Aphra Behn’s “The Lucky Chance” will be performed on a rotating basis July 19 to September 8. To see the schedule and reserve tickets, visit islandshakespearefest.org

Kitsap Forest Theater

For a fantastical outdoor summer theater experience, head out to the Kitsap Forest Theater’s production of “Rodgers & Hammerstein Cinderella.” The theater is about a 15-minute drive from the Bremerton ferry dock. This musical performance will be a delight for the whole family. Pre-sale tickets are $23 per adult, $20 per student and senior, $10 per kids 6-12. They are $2 more at the door. The show runs Saturdays and Sundays, July 27, 28, and August 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 at 2 p.m. For tickets and information, go to foresttheater.com