Shakespeare in the parks on the weekend to-do list

Pull up a lawn chair and take in some Shakespeare this weekend at a local park. Or spend Sunday evening enjoying some classical music.

Playing for laughs

"A lot of people don't realize that the first half of the play is absolutely hilarious," said Leslie Cserepy, who stars as Romeo in a Company of Fools production of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's tragic tale of the bumpy road to young love.

It may end in tears, but Cserepy promises the actors will mine all the twisted comic possibilities in their telling of the famous love story.

"There's a lot of clown foolishness, jokes and physical comedy," said Cserepy.

• Where: Centrepointe Park, 260 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean.
• When: Saturday 7 p.m.
• Cost: The actors pass the hat at the end of the show. Suggested donation $20.

Splendor in the Grass

What better setting than the region's parks and woodlands for a production of the Bard's A Midsummer Night`s Dream?

Most of the shenanigans take place within an enchanted forest, as mischievous spirits cast magic spells and play tricks on the foolish mortals who wander in and out of love.

Guy Buller plays Oberon, the king of the fairies, in Bear & Co.'s production. The actor says he's gratified that Shakespeare's play continues to delight even the youngest audience members.

"I've seen children seven and eight years old being caught up in a play using words from the 16th century," said Buller.

 "We've got little children coming up saying this is the best show I've seen." 

• Where and When: Saturday at Britannia Park at the Gazebo, Sunday at Station Park in Killaloe. Showtime is 7 p.m.
• Cost: By donation. Suggested contribution is $20.

Guitar Hero

Miloš Karadaglić is a rising superstar in the world of classical music.  A mesmerizing guitarist with a delicate and subtle technique, he has an expansive repertoire ranging from The Beatles to Bach.

Recently, the young musician from Montenegro dropped his last name and performs simply as Miloš. Arriving in Ottawa in the midst of an exhaustive tour, he says fatigue falls away when he begins to play.

"The moment I go out on stage I forget about all of that because it brings me directly to the very core and the centre of who I am," he said.

"Music has this wonderful power to rid you of of the sort of fatigue or pressure because you are focused on the music then everything else disappears."

• Where: Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, 355 Cooper St.
• When: Sunday 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: Students $15, Adults $30 and $50.  Family passes are available for $70. Tickets can be purchased here.