FAQ
What show are you offering this year and what are the dates?
Our 2013 offering will be the pastoral comedy, "As You Like It," running June 13-30.
What time does the show start?
Our shows begin promptly at 7:30PM.
Are there performances every day?
Performances are every day of the week except for Monday.
What is the location of the event? What about Parking?
Performances take place in Pinkney Park, Rowayton (177 Rowayton Avenue) in Norwalk. This is about a 10 minute walk from the Rowayton Train Station. Parking in Rowayton is at Witch Field, 2 Witch Lane or at the Rowayton School Parking lot, about a 6 minute walk from the park.
From 2005-2012 we also offerered performances in Greenwich's Baldwin Park. In 2013, we will only have performances in Rowatyon. We hope to return to Greenwich in 2014.
What about rain?
Unless it’s raining hard at 7:30, we’ll plan to go on with the show. We don’t call off performances until the last possible moment. Summer weather is so unpredictable — a late afternoon shower can move on to leave a beautiful balmy evening.
Seating
- Bring your own seating, and choose an open spot.
- Front Section: Blankets only
- Middle Section: Blankets & low lawn chairs (maximum back height 26”, which IS enforced!)
- Rear Section: Higher folding chairs
- Parks open at 4 p.m.
- Free admission! Donations are gratefully accepted. Suggested donation: $20 adults / $10 students & seniors
Reserved Seating
A limited number of reserved seats are available for a charge of $50 with an advance reservation. These numbered seats are provided by Shakespeare on the Sound and are front and center in the low chair section. There are also a limited number of high chair folding seats which are available for reservation. You can reserve seats online here: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=sots&id=1 or by calling our office at 203.299.1300 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to make your reservation with payment by Mastercard, Visa, or American Express. You will receive an email confirmation for your seats and when you arrive at the park, proceed to the reserved seating check-in table just past the entrance booths. A volunteer will check you in and usher you to your seat. If any seats in the reserved section remain available on the day of the performance, they can be purchased at the reserved seating table in the park.
Why Donate?
Shakespeare on the Sound is a 501c3 charitable organization. Our productions are offered FREE to the public. Voluntary contributions from individual donors makes up over half of our revenue providing vital support for the summer performances and our education programs throughout the year. We suggest $20 for adults, $10 for students, but we welcome all equally and enthusiastically.
What to Bring?
Blankets, low chairs and picnic fare will set you up well. Bring sweaters too—by the second act the sun has gone down and it can get chilly. Ice cream, snacks, and cold drinks can be purchased in the park and many of the local restaurants and markets offer special Shakespeare on the Sound dinners. No dogs, please. Click here for list of local restaurants/markets.
What about wine?
This is our most popular question. We don’t sell wine in the park in Rowayton, but yes, it is allowed. The Rowayton Wine Shop is just across the street from Pinkney Park. You can also order the perfect wine for a night of Shakespeare under the stars ahead of time at Le Wine Shop and pick it up on your way to the park. White wine will be chilled and ready. Go to www.lewineshop.com to place an order!
Also, make sure to purchase a Shakespeare on the Sound wine sleeve to carry your bottle in the park! Click here to see the Shakespeare Etsy Shop!
How long is the show?
The show lasts about 2 and 1/2 hours including one intermission. It is estimated that the show will end at approximately 10:15 p.m.
Is there food at the park?
You may buy a full picnic or just a snack at our food tents in the park, operated by popular favorites Brendan's 101 in Rowayton. Lobster rolls and their home made ice cream are popular favorites!
What else is in the park?
Shakespeare on the Sound has a merchandise tent where we sell various clothing, bags, wine sleeves, hats, copies of the play, and more from this year's show! We also offer bug spray, restroom facilities and plenty of volunteers to greet you and help you find a place on the lawn. In addition, we hand out study guides about the play to enhance your experience of the performance. You can download the "As You Like It" study guide here. This is good to read before hand in case you are very unfamiliar with the play!
Shakespeare Education and Children’s Activities
Every night at 6:00PM there is a performance for young audiences in the park on the main stage. Our apprentices have devised a short (25 minute) play that introduces the characters and explores the themes of the play in a very approachable and inventive way. This performance takes place right on the main stage. There are also games and activities for children at the Education and Activity Tent (and which can also be downloaded here. Mask and star making craft activites as well as mazes, maps, puzzles, and interactive theater games are ready from 4:30PM on!
