Shakespeare by the Sea Comes to Hermosa Beach

Outdoor performances of two popular Shakespeare plays are coming to town as the traveling Shakespeare by the Sea tour stops in Hermosa Beach on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Two Gentlemen of Verona will be performed at at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

The Shakespeare by the Sea theater company, now in its 15th year, said it hopes to bring contemporary and classic theater to a diverse audience across southern California to help spark imagination and encourage artistic expression.

“SBTS has many loyal audience members who look forward to gathering family and friends for a summer evening picnic and theatre under the stars," said producing artistic director Lisa Coffi. "For many, these productions were their first introduction to live theatre and they return year after year."

Shakespeare by the Sea is the only theater company on the West Coast to take its productions on tour, the company said.

South Bay resident Stephanie Coltrin will direct Romeo and Juliet, and Torrance resident Margaret Schugt will direct Two Gentleman of Verona.

All performances are free to the public, but the organization accepts donations to offset the approximately $270,000 in costs related to producing the shows across Southern California.