WEST GROVE, PA — Magic, mischief, romance and revenge will spill into the open air this September as ACT Players brings Shakespeare’s The Tempest to Penn Township Park and St. Peter’s in the Great Valley for a series of pay-what-you-wish performances.
The family-friendly production follows Prospero, the deposed Duke of Milan, who has spent 12 years stranded on an island with his daughter, Miranda. With the help of the spirit Ariel, Prospero conjures a storm that shipwrecks the King of Naples, the king’s son Ferdinand, trusted adviser Gonzalo, Sebastian and Prospero’s scheming brother Antonio.
ACT Players is presenting the show as part of its Shakespeare in the Parks series, pairing some of Shakespeare’s most recognizable language with original music, comic misadventures and a fast-paced approach designed for outdoor audiences.
Performances at Penn Township Park are scheduled for Sept. 4, 5 and 12 at 7 p.m., with matinees Sept. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. Additional performances will be held Sept. 19 at 2 and 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s in the Great Valley in Malvern.
The Sept. 6 and Sept. 19 matinees will include post-show talkbacks, giving audience members an opportunity to discuss the production with the director and actors.
Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs and pack a picnic. Food will be available for purchase at most performances, and some seating will be available at St. Peter’s. In case of rain, the Penn Township performances will move to the Penn Township Building, while the Malvern performances may move inside The Barn.
Event Details
- What: ACT Players’ Shakespeare in the Parks production of The Tempest
- When: Sept. 4, 5 and 12, 2026, at 7 p.m.; Sept. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m.; Sept. 19 at 2 and 7 p.m.
- Where: Penn Township Park, West Grove, PA; and St. Peter’s in the Great Valley, Malvern, PA
- Cost/Tickets: Pay what you wish; donations are encouraged
- More Info: https://actplayers.org
ACT Players’ Shakespeare in the Parks program is supported in part by a grant from the Sun East Foundation.
For families, longtime Shakespeare fans, or anyone curious about seeing live theater beneath the late-summer sky, The Tempest offers an accessible way to experience one of Shakespeare’s most imaginative comedies in the community.
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