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Examiner

‘King Lear’ on Boston Common by the numbers

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s outdoor production runs July 22 to August 9. Here’s a look at this rite of summer.

Will Lyman as Lear.Nile Hawver/Nile Scott

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s King Lear opens Wednesday. A look at this rite of Boston summer, by the numbers.

Today there are 139 outdoor Shakespeare theaters in the country. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s free performances on the Common began in 1997 with Romeo and Juliet.

King Lear runs July 22 to August 9 at the Common’s Parkman Bandstand, with performances Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m., and a Saturday matinee August 8 at 3 p.m.

85,000 — number of audience members expected over the run

15% — percentage of the Boston Common audience expected to be seeing Shakespeare for the first time

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$29.99 — cost of a folding camp chair at Home Depot

93-98 — people required to put on a performance, including 3 park rangers and 10 to 15 volunteers

80 — number of costume changes throughout a performance (one actor plays five characters in six costumes)

248 — number of lighting instruments on the set

35 — number of people who help clean up after the show

20 — time needed to pick up all the trash after a show

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” —Jaques in Shakespeare’s As You Like It


Sources: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company; celebrateboston.com; cityofboston.gov; Home Depot