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Jenny Jones grabbed what were arguably the best seats in the house.

For the past 20 years, she has been bringing members of her church to Boston Common for the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company鈥檚 annual free summer Shakespeare plays. For one of the company's productions of 鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale鈥� (which ran through Aug. 4), Ms. Jones arrived six hours early to secure a large enough spot on the lawn near the stage. Her fellow parishioners from St. Cecilia鈥檚 in Boston were nearby, each with picnic fare that wouldst rival the feast that Romeo doth crash at the Capulets鈥�.

Nael Nacer, who starred as King Leontes, understands the appeal of an outdoor show for audience members like Ms. Jones and for the actors. He has performed three times on the Common with the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and proclaims each experience 鈥渕agical.鈥�

鈥淲e can often see the moon in the sky,鈥� Mr. Nacer says, 鈥渁nd there鈥檚 a lot of beauty there that I鈥檓 struck by.鈥�

The first half of 鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale鈥� is its own complete tragedy. Jealousy and guilt consume Leontes, who believes he has been cuckolded. His wife and son shuffle off their mortal coils, and his newborn daughter is banished forthwith. 鈥淜ing Leontes believes his heart is broken,鈥� Mr. Nacer explains. 鈥淚t all comes from love.鈥澛�

Where the first half of the Commonwealth company's production was bathed in somber hues 鈥� monochromatic purples, blues, and grays 鈥� the comedic second half cloaked the cast in a riot of color. 鈥淚 almost feel like they have taken every colorful piece from their closet and put it on all at once,鈥� director Bryn Boice says. 鈥淓verything goes together; nothing goes together.鈥�

鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale鈥� is one of Shakespeare鈥檚 lesser-known works. But for Ms. Boice, it was only natural that she would choose to direct it.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 fit into a neat box and feels very much like life,鈥� she says. The play鈥檚 language is 鈥済orgeous and powerful and difficult ... and it really begs to be seen.鈥�

Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff

PATERNITY IS SUCH SWEET SORROW: Actors (from left) Omar Robinson as Polixenes, Marianna Bassham as Hermione, and Nael Nacer as Leontes perform during a dress rehearsal.

Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff

ALL THE COMMON鈥橲 A STAGE: People sit on the lawn picnicking before the play begins. Crowds arrive as early as 2 p.m. for the free evening performances.

Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff

MUCH A-BLUE ABOUT NOTHING: The sky and stage are bathed in color while Mr. Nacer (at left) and Tony Estrella, as Camillo, perform.

Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff

THE LADY DOTH DIRECT SO MUCH: Director Bryn Boice closely watches the action with her crew during a dress rehearsal.

Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff

TO THINE OWN CELTS BE TRUE: Cleveland Nicoll (in basketball jersey), performing as the clown, and Richard Snee, as the shepherd, look at a box of gold during a rehearsal.

Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff

TO BEAM OR NOT TO BEAM: The character Time (portrayed by Paula Plum) is illuminated in 鈥淭he Winter鈥檚 Tale.鈥�

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