Goodly Creatures returns this summer with Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’
Since 2021, Goodly Creatures, a regional touring theater company, has performed Shakespeare in the Park throughout the Fox Valley. This summer, the theater company returns to local parks with their performance of Shakespeare’s hilarious and dynamic romantic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.”
Audiences are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy an evening with the Bard under the stars.
“We consider ourselves a gateway to Shakespeare,” says founder and director Katrina Syrris. “Shakespeare wrote for everyone, and we keep that inclusive spirit alive in our approach to the performance.”
Economic accessibility is a pillar of Goodly’s mission, with Syrris saying “I grew up on local performances, and Shakespeare. In fact, when I was nine I saw ‘The Tempest’ for the first time at Wing Park. That magical experience set a lifelong mission in motion for me. Goodly brings the arts to kids and families throughout our community, regardless of income.”
This year, Goodly Creatures will perform at various parks in Geneva, Schaumburg, Elgin, and Algonquin.
These performances are brought to the public at no charge with the generous support of the following organizations: Algonquin Recreation, Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Geneva Foundation for the Arts, Geneva Park District, Schaumburg Park District, and the Schaumburg Township District Library.
The performances begin in Geneva at Island Park at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, with a rain date at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3.
The troupe then heads to Schaumburg’s Meineke Park at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, with a rain date at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7.
There will be two shows in Elgin. The first at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Lords Park east picnic shelter, and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Wing Park band shell. The rain date for both shows will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, in the Wing Park band shell.
The Algonquin show will be at the Towne Park band shell at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, with a rain date at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27.
Founded in 2018, Goodly Creatures is a traveling theater company based in Kane County that specializes in breathing new life into classic works of literature. Goodly’s mission is to produce theatrical experiences that are economically accessible, personal, exhilarating, and contemporary for their audiences. In addition to performances, Goodly offers educational workshops and webinars to support creatives of all artistic backgrounds throughout the year. Goodly Creatures Theatre has been recognized as The Best Live Theatre in Kane County in 2025 for and for three years prior. Visit www.goodlycreatures.com to learn more.