Geneva’s popular Shakespeare in the Park event returns to Island Park Saturday, July 30 with “The Tempest.” The free performance starts at 6 p.m.

Suitable for all ages, this tragicomedy will take people on a voyage to a magical island where they will see a shipwreck, fairies, a power struggle, and romance being performed by Elgin-based Goodly Creatures. A traveling theater company, Goodly Creatures specializes in breathing new life into classic works of literature.

“The Tempest” is set on an island near Italy where Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, and his daughter, Miranda, live with Ariel, a sprite, and Caliban, Prospero’s servant. A powerful magician, Prospero creates a fierce storm, or tempest, that opens the play and forces a royal party to wash up on the island. As the story unfolds, there is a plot to murder the King of Naples, a drunken scheme to kill Prospero, and a romance between Miranda and the King’s son, Ferdinand.

“The play will be full of fun surprises,” Goodly Creatures Founder and Artistic Director Katrina Syrris said. “Just as magic immerses the characters, our audience will find themselves immersed as well. They won’t just be watching events unfold on Prospero’s island, they will be on the island with us.”

Now in its 16th year, Shakespeare in the Park is presented by the City of Geneva’s Cultural Arts Commission. Seating begins at 4 p.m. at Island Park, located at the corner of State Street (Route 38) and Route 25 in Geneva. The audience is encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnics. Sandwiches, water, soft drinks, and ice cream will be available for purchase.

For more information, visit www.genevarts.org, call 630-938-4530 or follow Geneva Shakespeare in the Park on Facebook.