Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s Summer Theatre Series: Unplug. Connect. Be Inspired.

Pictured above: Scott Greer and Michael Doherty in Mel Brooks The Producers; PA Shakespeare Festival Summer Theatre Series, 2025. Photo by Kristy McKeever.

Whether you’re a fan of Shakespeare, Broadway-style musicals, timeless classics, or fairytale fun, there’s truly something for everyone this season.

Following a dynamic opening with two musicals, PSF now dives into the heart of its Summer Theatre Series with unforgettable drama and sharp-witted comedy. Experience Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun—a poignant story of hope, family, and resilience—or immerse yourself in the psychological excitement of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, performed in repertory with Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead—a brilliantly absurd comedy told from the sidelines of Hamlet’s world. The same cast alternates roles in both plays, offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience the story from two wildly different perspectives.

Then, witness something rare and riveting: Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens in Extreme Shakespeare style—fast-paced, stripped-down, and performed with energy and ingenuity, just as it would have been in the Bard’s day. This thought-provoking and seldom-staged play invites you to discover one of Shakespeare’s most intriguing hidden gems. To deepen the experience, PSF offers opening night champagne receptions, prologues and epilogues, post-show talkbacks, and specialty dinners with directors. Accessibility is a priority, with open-captioned, audio-described, and ASL-interpreted performances available throughout the season.

Families are in for a treat, too! Shakespeare for Kids (S4K) is a lively, interactive intro to the Bard featuring sock puppets, sing-alongs, and loads of laughs—touring local libraries and playing onstage. The Princess and The Frog Prince brings a fresh twist to the Grimms classic, starring a hoop-happy princess with little interest in finding Prince Charming—just a frog and some fun. Little ones can sit front and center with onstage carpet seating and meet the cast after every performance for autographs and photos.

Relaxed Performances, designed for children and adults with sensory sensitivities, offer a welcoming, no-shushing environment:

• The Princess and The Frog Prince—Saturday, July 12, 10AM
• Shakespeare for Kids—Saturday, August 2, 10AM

“We invite everyone to come together to be entertained—escape into unforgettable stories, connect with friends, and celebrate the magic of live, professional theatre right here in the Lehigh Valley.” —Jason King Jones, PSF Artistic Director

To learn more about PA Shakespeare Festival’s Summer Theatre Series, visit pashakespeare.org.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival is the professional theatre hosted on the campus of DeSales University in Center Valley, PA.

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