This was my first year of involvement with Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks. I was a member of the cast of The Tempest. From the day I first auditioned I was impressed with the professionalism of everyone involved. They are true lovers of Shakespeare and want every performance to be meaningful to the audience. The producers and directors went out of their way to provide the best show possible. What impressed me the most was the result of our efforts. After nearly every show someone would approach me and say, "I didn't think I would like Shakespeare. I didn't like it in school. But they way you performed it surprised me. I understood every word, followed the plot, and had great fun!" For an actor there's nothing sweeter than to get that kind of reactions. PSIP really is bringing Shakespeare to the people and having a positive effect on their lives.
Review from The Pittsburgh Foundation
Each year in late summer, see one of Shakespeare's plays in a Pittsburgh park. This is Shakespeare as it should be: you're close, it's fun, funny, sad, and you're outside. The actors are excellent, and the plays are beautifully staged, moving around the space using the landscape - even playground equipment. I've seen many productions of Shakespeare's plays in the UK in regional theatre, in Stratford-on-Avon, and in London theatres, and these are as good as any I've seen.