Arts & Entertainment

An Insider's Guide to Attending a Free Shakespeare on the Sound Outdoor Performance

Shakespeare on the Sound is serving up "As You Like It" performances nightly except Mondays, June 13-30 in Pinkney Park, Rowayton at 7:30PM. Arrive early and bring a picnic.

This year Shakespeare on The Sound is performing the pastoral comedy, "As You Like It," running June 13-30th in Pinkney Park in Rowayton. Shows start promptly at 7:30PM. Performances are daily except for Monday.

Pinkney Park (177 Rowayton Avenue) in Norwalk is about a 10 minute walk from the Rowayton train station, but there is parking in Rowayton at Witch Field, 2 Witch Lane or at the Rowayton School Parking lot, which is about a 6 minute walk from the park according to the SOS website.

From 2005-2012 SOS offered performances in Greenwich's Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, but in 2013 they will only have performances in Rowayton. SOS hopes to return to Greenwich in 2014.

Unless it’s raining hard at 7:30PM, SOS will go on with the show. They do not call off performances until the last possible moment because summer weather is so unpredictable.
The Shakespeare on the Sound website offers a few good tips about 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. The suggested donation is $20 adults / $10 students & seniors
  • Reserved seating is possible. Check out the SOS website for details

Though productions are free to attend, voluntary contributions make up over half of Shakespeare on the Sound's revenue, according to the site, providing vital support for the summer performances and our education programs throughout the year.  

More advice from the SOS website is to bring blankets, low chairs and picnic fare. 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.

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

They don’t sell wine in the park in Rowayton, but it is allowed. The Rowayton Wine Shop is just across the street from Pinkney Park. 

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.

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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!

Shakespeare Education and Children’s Activities. Check out the SOS website for children's activities which start at 4:30PM on performance days.

Shakespeare on the Sound has a merchandise tent and there are restroom facilities available, plus plenty of volunteers to greet you and help you find a place on the lawn. Volunteers also hand out study guides about the play in case you are unfamiliar with it.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here