UPDATE (7/29/15): The Winter’s Tale shows kick off tonight at Clark Park at 7 p.m., and according to a new announcement from Shakespeare in Clark Park (SCP), they will be raffling gift cards from local businesses:

Heads up! Every night of the #WintersTale we will be holding a raffle of some great gift cards generously donated by local businesses.

— SCP (@shakespeareincp) July 28, 2015

Also, don’t forget to bring your blanket or chairs, some picnic food (and drinks!) and a little bit of cash (if you can) for a donation. Donations help this awesome event return each summer.

Free outdoor Shakespeare in Clark Park shows draw big crowds to the “Bowl” near 43rd and Chester (archived photo/West Philly Local).

Shakespeare in Clark Park (SCP) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer with five nights of The Winter’s Tale, a tragicomedy of family and forgiveness. The annual popular outdoor theatre event that draws huge crowds of both locals and guests, returns on Wednesday, July 29 to Clark Park’s “Bowl” near 43rd and Chester.

Those who attended last year’s Henry IV shows must remember the epic battle scenes performed by a crowd of some 100 volunteers from various Philly neighborhoods (it’s truly hard to forget!). This year, a chorus of over 30 Philadelphia-area schoolchildren will perform along the company’s professional actors. Chorus members were selected after spring auditions.

The young performers are an integral part of the show; along with the audience they’re witnessing the triumph and failure of the adults. According to Director Kittson O’Neill, “The Chorus of Children not only helps perform The Winter’s Tale, it also allows the audience a way into this foreign world… It’s a tale of generations and how consequences are often felt most strongly by the next generation.” 

If you’re not familiar with this Shakespeare’s play, here’s a short summary from SCP:

“Shakespeare’s tale, which spans the generations of two kingdoms and two families, is full of laughter and heartbreak. Leontes and Polixenes, rulers of Sicilia and Bohemia, are best friends, until jealousy and madness tear their families apart. Magic, fate and forgiveness intertwine in unimaginable ways as a new generation reconciles the sins of the past.”

The company of professional actors are led by Kevin Bergen (Leontes) and Bi Jean Ngo (Hermione). They are joined on-stage by Corinna Burns (Antigonus/Old Shephard), Nicole Godino (Paulina), Gracie Martin (Perdita), Brandon Pierce (Florizel), Wendy Staton (Camillo), Sam Sherbourne (Clown), Thomas Van Dean (Lord/Young Clown), and Hannah Van Sciver (Mopsa/Emilia).

Shows will run July 29 – Aug. 2. All performances are free and start at 7 p.m. The rain location is the Mandell Theater of Drexel University located at the corner of 33rd and Chestnut Streets. For more information, visit shakespeareinclarkpark.org.