Salem Takes It Outside For Late-Summer Performance Series

SALEM, MA —A series of family-oriented shows are coming to three outdoor areas of Salem in August and September.

The performances will be at Charlotte Forten Park, Salem Willows and Derby Square as part of the city's Public Art program.

"Public art enlivens and enriches our community in so many respects, and these free performances will add to that in a number of our most cherished public spaces and parks over the coming months," Mayor Kim Driscoll said.

Two of the shows will have a Shakespeare theme starting with the Olde Salem Stage Company's performance of "Much Ado About Nothing" at Charlotte Forten Park on Derby Street Aug. 7, 8, 14 and 15.

The Olde Salem Stage Company is a new collaboration of passionate theatrical practitioners whose mission is to challenge and inspire audiences with their performances.

The performance group DrumatiX will deliver a rousing rendition of "Rhythm Delivered" on Aug. 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 2 p.m. at Charlotte Forten Park.

DrumatiX presents humorous, interactive, family-oriented percussive content that includes tap dance, body percussion and creative drumming in a 45-minute show. In case of rain, those performances will be moved inside Old Town Hall.

The Third Citizen Theatre Company will perform "As You Like It" at the Salem Willows Band Shell on Fort Avenue on Aug. 28, 29 and Sept. 4, 5 and 6 at 6 p.m.

The show of live, original music with reimagined classical works is designed to bring "feel-good comedy to the Salem community." This show does have a suggested donation of $20 for attendance.

The final show of the series is the Ridiculous Project's "Dream, Love, Escape" set for Sept. 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. in Derby Square.

This show is a spirited retelling of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" transformed into a "fun and immersive theatrical experience where (the audience is) both reacting to and interacting with the story."

In case of rain, that those shows will also be moved inside Old Town Hall.

Those attending shows outside are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and means of shade for daytime performances.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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