Antony and Cleopatra plays two weekends at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater

Free Shakespeare in the Park comes back to Sunnyside’s doorstep this Labor Day weekend, as the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival opens a five-performance run of Antony and Cleopatra at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park.

It is the festival’s 44th year of free outdoor Shakespeare and its 14th season at McLaren Park. The production is a rare one: Antony and Cleopatra is staged far less often than the company’s usual repertory, making this a chance to see a seldom-performed play close to home.

The story follows Mark Antony and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra as they are pulled between love and duty, through passion, ambition, political intrigue, and betrayal. Along the way, audiences can decide for themselves: Is it love at first sight for Antony? Who is the shrewder politician? Is the messenger treated fairly? And what, exactly, is the worm?

All performances begin at 2 p.m.

• Saturday, September 5 — Preview
• Sunday, September 6 — Preview
• Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) — Opening night; Sunnyside neighbors are gathering for this performance
• Saturday, September 12
• Sunday, September 13

Where: Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, McLaren Park, 40 John F. Shelley Drive, San Francisco — on Shelley Drive between Cambridge and Mansell streets.

Transit and parking: MUNI #29. Auto parking is available in the lot and along Shelley Drive.

No tickets required. Admission is free and no reservations are needed. Come as you are, bring family and friends, and pack a picnic if you like.

Bring your own food. There are no food concessions at these performances, so plan to bring a picnic or dishes to share.

Kids are welcome. A crafts table on site lets children make their own fancy headdress.

Pets are welcome if leashed, well-behaved, and under control.

Souvenir posters. The first 10 guests at each performance who take a selfie can take a poster home.

After McLaren Park

The production moves downtown later in the month, with 2 p.m. performances at Sue Bierman Park — Washington and Drumm streets, across from the Ferry Building near Embarcadero Four — on Saturday, September 19; Sunday, September 20; Saturday, September 26; and Sunday, September 27.

More information is available at sfshakes.org.