Shaking it with Shakespeare: Productions in Philly and beyond

Take your pick: There's a wide selection of Shakespearean greats onstage all around the city within the coming weeks.

For one more show only, Friday, March 27 at 10 a.m., children and their parents can get a bite-sized dose of Shakespeare in "Romeo and Juliet" at Widener University's Alumni Auditorium (off of East 14th St., Chester).

A bloody power trip for the ages, "Macbeth" takes audiences on a passionate thrill ride through Sunday, April 19 at the Arden Theatre (40 N. 2nd St.). Shows begin at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The Wilma Theater's (265 S. Broad St.) production of "Hamlet" features a female lead as the titular character, putting a unique spin on the classic tragedy featuring contemporary updates like graffiti sets, original music, and modern costuming. Catch it Wednesday, March 25 through Sunday, May 2. (Showtimes vary between 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.)

Saucy Katherine and sly Petruchio go head to head in "The Taming of the Shrew," fit with a musical twist full of dance numbers at the Lantern Theater (10th and Ludlow Streets). Catch it Wednesday, March 25 through Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m., 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. start times.

Starting with a pay-what-you-wish community night on Friday, April 3, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre's (2111 Sansom St.) "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will charm audiences with fairies, love and lust. The show runs through Sunday, May 17 with 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday curtains and 2 p.m. Sunday performances.

Shakespeare's narrative poem, adapted and performed by actor Dan Hodge, "The Rape of Lucrece," hits the Wilma Theater (265 Broad St.) stage for four 8 p.m. performances from Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24.

Not a performance, but a celebration of The Bard's b-day is set for Wednesday, April 22 at Penn's Kislak Center (3420 Walnut St.). Come for cake and dramatic readings beginning at 5:30 p.m.

A new adaptation, incorporating plot lines inspired by current events in Ferguson and New York, of "Romeo and Juliet" will debut at Muhlenberg College's Trexler Pavilion (2400 Chew St., Allentown) on Wednesday, April 22 at 8 p.m. Other dates include 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 23 through Sunday, April 26 and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.

Back at the Wilma Theater (265 S. Broad St.), two minor "Hamlet" characters get to step out in the spotlight in a Shakespeare-inspired spinoff "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," starring the same actors from their production of "Hamlet." "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" runs from Wednesday, May 20 through Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.