The Independent Shakespeare Company offers free admission to shows Thursdays through Sundays all summer long, setting the stage atop a hill in Hollywood’s Barnsdall Park, offering a stunning view of the Griffith Observatory and it’s just minutes from the San Fernando Valley.

The company is in its fifth season at Barnsdall Park. It boasts seasoned actors and many ties to the Valley with it’s performers. Simple staging, minimal lights and set pieces, an authentic tree overhanging the backdrop with the moon rising behind; all make way for an astoundingly skilled and comedic cast of players.

This show offers reservations, then a free for all, with seating in the back, or a lawn splayed out encouraging the audience to bring blankets for sitting. I was encouraged by ISC co-founder David Melville to bring a picnic if I wanted to.

I wasn’t sure about the whole picnic idea but I was happy to see the numerous attendees with full-fledged picnics donning wine, hummus, cheese, crackers, and much more. The ISC offers a refreshment stand for a fair price. There’s free parking and even free bug spray when you check in, just in case. Not only that, but their were plenty of children accompanying their parents. They kids seemed to take well to the shows and stayed very respectful to the atmosphere. All in all, it was a huge lawn party with free entertainment— and what an entertaining night it was!

Melville, also managing director for the company, brings hilarity to every moment he sets foot onstage as Sir Toby in Twelfth Night and Prince Hal in Henry IV, while the numerous other equity actors are a true inspiration to their trade; of my favorites include Bernadette Sullivan as Maria (Twelfth Night) and Mistress Quickly (Henry IV), Danny Campbell as Falstaff in Henry IV, Thomas Ehas as Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Twelfth Night) and Bardolph (H4), Bobby Plasencia as Poines/Silence (Henry IV) and Feste (Twelfth night), and David Nathan Schwartz as a Sea Captain (Twelfth Night) and Worcester/Shallow (Henry IV), all whose commanding performances and transformation abilities were a tremendous force to be reckoned with.

With members’ experience ranging from just starting their careers all the way to Broadway alumni, the whole of the gang — with lines or without — give spectacular performances, outstanding character work and delightfully witty nuance to their contemporary play of the classics.

Another surprising turn is the large amount of alumni and staff members of Cal State Northridge. Artistic director and co-founder of the troupe Melissa Chalsma is well known in the university as a professor as well as director for shows on campus. But she’s also appeared on Broadway in Hamlet with Ralph Fiennes (who is on the ISC Board of Advisors) along with fellow co-founder Melville.

Costume designer Garry Lennon and choreographer, J’aime Morrison, are also professors at CSUN. Alumni of the school includes actors Matt Hurley, Jinsoo Choi, Jozben Barrett, Jon Zuber, Ari Radousky (also assistant stage manager), assistant designer Daniel Mahler and Lucero Garcia.

The ISC has beautiful settings with top notch actors in abundance. Shakespeare has received an enormous show of passion and respect from a completely worthwhile theatre company. The company will offer performances in the park through August 24th including Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus, and readings of The Changeling, The City Heiress, and Cervantes. Also, they produce A Christmas Carol in the winter—as well as some special events in the fall. Log onto www.independentshakepeare.org for times, reservations, and future productions. In short, a great show, a great party, and a great cause for donations—this will be a night to be remembered and keep you coming back for more.