"Two Gentleman of Verona" by Frosted Glass Creative at Rustic Roots Winery

Shakespeare in the Vines is back! One of the true pleasures of the short Minnesota summer is seeing theater outdoors. Particularly Shakespeare, which taps into a centuries-long tradition. This is Frosted Glass Creative's fourth year presenting Shakespeare in the Vines at Rustic Roots Winery in Scandia (about a 45-minute drive Northeast from the Twin Cities), but only my second year attending it. Rustic Roots is truly the most idyllic location for outdoor theater (even in the midst of some construction to expand their facilities). And Frosted Glass' production of the comedy Two Gentleman of Verona (believed to be the first play Shakespeare ever wrote) is fun and playful and accessible, as Shakespeare was meant to be. But hurry, there are only two more performances at Rustic Roots. Or you can head to Hastings or Chisago City next week to catch additional performances at wineries there (full details and schedule here).

"Twelfth Night" by Zephyr Theatre at the Great Banquet Hall

Stillwater's Zephyr Theater is back with a very short run of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, presented in the Grand Banquet Hall in Stillwater. It's billed as "a 1960s tropical comedy romance," with some inspiration from the iconic TV series Gilligan's Island. This allows for some fun with the costumes and design, which also incorporates Christmas decor, as Twelfth Night is traditionally celebrated as the 12th night after Christmas. I wish they had leaned more into the Gilligan's Island theme, I didn't really get much of it other than that the twins are dressed like Gilligan in the bucket hat, red long-sleeved shirt, and jeans. But it's a fun show, with seating at large round tables and food and beverages available to enjoy before and during the show, giving it a holiday celebration sort of feel. If you're in the Stillwater area, check out one of their three remaining performances this weekend.