Theater in the Park @ Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden

The lush lawns of the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden host two very different plays this month. One’s a comedy you’ve probably never heard of. The other is one of the most famous tragedies ever staged.

Look closer, though, and you’ll find “The Courage to Right a Woman’s Wrongs” has more in common with “Macbeth” than you might expect. Both were written in the early seventeenth century by playwrights at the top of their game. Both tackle themes of love and betrayal, with a healthy serving of swordplay thrown in. And both still have plenty to say about social norms and gender roles, even 400 years later.

First up, Burien Actors Theater brings Ana Caro Mallen De Soto’s female-centric take on the Don Juan tale to the garden on July 24. Expect wild antics from a spurned lover bent on revenge in this fun romp full of twists, turns and laughs.     

Union Arts Center’s Wooden O takes a darker turn on July 31 with a powerful rendition of The Scottish Play. This treacherous tale of ambition and murder is a stark contrast to the garden’s cheerful blooms.  

Both shows are family-friendly. Bring a blanket or a low chair, and pack a picnic if you like. Arrive early to explore the gardens — the roses are at their peak right now.