Dennis Fox and Tim Budd in Richard IIITheatergoers, be forewarned: Richard III is not for the faint of heart. Riverside Theatre's production of the Shakespearian play is not only packed with violence, death, and one of the freakiest kings in English history; it's also three hours long. But for those who choose to stick it out, this Iowa City show is well worth the time. Directed by Kristin Horton, Richard III packs a punch that may just leave you breathless.

Laura Ambrose and Martin Andrews in A Midsummer Night's DreamIt's mid-June, and love is in the air... particularly for the actors in Riverside Theatre's Shakespeare Festival who are performing A Midsummer Night's Dream. This Iowa City show boasts stellar performers and a beautiful outdoor stage in City Park - the perfect combination for a magical evening of great theatre. Under Ron Clark's direction, Midsummer lives up to its reputation as Shakespeare's sexiest play, bawdy jokes and all.

Twelfth Night It's hot. It's muggy. Bugs are everywhere. And in Iowa City, that means it's time for Shakespeare.

Every summer, the Riverside Theatre trades its stage in downtown Iowa City for an outdoor venue in lower City Park, one that was actually modeled after London's Globe Theater. Appropriately enough, the company uses this Shakespeare-inspired space to stage two Shakespearean productions in repertory, and this year's schedule - running through July 9 - alternates between Twelfth Night and The Tempest.