ID: Graphic celebrating the 30th anniversary of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. It features text about three productions: Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The CSC logo is displayed with the tagline ’30 Years. One City. Everyone’s Shakespeare.’ Images of actors in costumes from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1996) and Romeo and Juliet (2017) are included, with a blue background.
Since its inaugural production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Copley Square in 1996, CSC has been dedicated to artistic excellence, accessibility, and education. The Company has spent twenty-nine summers presenting Shakespeare’s plays with free performances of the highest caliber on the Boston Common; Stage2 productions of Shakespeare’s plays presented for middle and high school students each spring; and since last year CSC has also produced its annual Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
Founding Artistic Director Steve Maler shares: “We launched CSC in 1996 with the passionate vision that world-class productions of Shakespeare should be free for all in Boston, and over the decades we’ve been so humbled to see how our audiences have embraced our work. We never imagined that over a million and a half people would join us in the nation’s oldest park to share these extraordinary plays. It’s such a thrill for our 30th season to return to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the play that started it all. It’s also fulfilling to see our education programs expand and to make our Stage2 performances even more accessible through our new partnership with Rodman for Kids. We are also excited for year two of our new Holiday tradition, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre. We look forward to welcoming audiences to this powerful story of love and redemption.”
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
Step into the magic of Victorian England and rediscover the heart and soul of the holiday season! Commonwealth Shakespeare Company returns for another magical season at Boston’s historic Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre with its stunning production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” — a timeless story of redemption, generosity, and the power of human kindness. Beloved Boston actor Will Lyman (CSC’s King Lear) returns as Ebenezer Scrooge, the curmudgeonly miser whose cold heart is thawed by a trio of mysterious spirits on one fateful Christmas Eve.
Running December 6 – 23, 2025, this enchanting adaptation by award-winning writer/director Steve Wargo brings Dickens’ classic tale to vivid life. Described as “a musical feast” (The Boston Globe), it is brimming with traditional 19th-century carols arranged by Dianne Adams McDowell (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Starmites). With direction by CSC Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler and musical direction by Dan Rodriguez, this “heart-filled new tradition” (WGBH) is sure to delight audiences of all ages.
Foundational support for Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is generously provided by Christy and Jay Cashman and the Poduska Family Foundation.
CSC Stage2: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Young love blooms brightly in the gardens of Verona, but it cannot escape the changing of the seasons. Directed by CSC’s Associate Artistic Director, Bryn Boice, this fresh and imaginative production sets Shakespeare’s heartfelt tragedy inside Friar Laurence’s greenhouse, where young love and peril grow side by side.
CSC’s annual Stage2 performances of Shakespeare’s most popular plays are designed for middle and high school audiences. Students just discovering Shakespeare — and die-hard fans, as well — won’t want to miss this tragically beautiful take on the Bard’s most famous love story.
Student Matinees will welcome young Shakespeare lovers on the mornings of May 21 – 29, 2026, with two Public Performances for all ages at 2 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday, May 30th at The Strand Theatre in Dorchester, MA.
CSC is thrilled to offer tickets to the Stage2 student matinee performances of Romeo & Juliet at no cost due to the generosity of Rodman for Kids and their Theatre for Kids Program.
Stage2 is also supported by Paul Kastner and is funded in part by Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
This summer, A Midsummer Night’s Dream returns to Boston Common for our 30th production of Free Shakespeare on the Common — the same enchanting comedy that launched this beloved tradition back in 1996. Under the night sky, experience a world where lovers get lost (and found) as we honor three decades of artistic excellence, accessibility, and education with the play that started it all.
Directed by CSC Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler, the production will take place at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, July 22 – August 9, 2026, in partnership with the City of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu, City of Boston Parks and Recreation, and Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.
30th Anniversary Gala
CSC’s annual gala returns to The Newbury Boston on Saturday, April 11th, 2026! An evening of merriment and magic will include one-of-a-kind performances and festivities in support of CSC’s 2026 Shakespeare on the Common production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, honoring the company’s 30th Season of bringing Free Shakespeare to Greater Boston.
Stay Up To Date on Our 30th Season!
ID: Scenes from past productions — Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (2024) with Bob Cratchit carrying Tiny Tim; Romeo and Juliet (2017) with the lovers about to kiss; and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1996) with Titania leaning over Bottom in a donkey mask.
