Theater Under the Stars
Five evenings of open-air theater in the Tusculan village of Monte Compatri
About Theater Under the Stars
A new festival for the Tusculan village
Theater Under the Stars is the theatrical festival that debuted in July 2026 in Monte Compatri, a town in the Metropolitan City of Rome, nestled in the heart of the Castelli Romani and the Lazio region. The idea behind it is both simple and ambitious: to bring theater back to the people, moving it out of traditional halls and restoring the historic center's squares to their original purpose as places of meeting, storytelling, and participation. For five nights, the village turns into an open-air theater, with the audience seated under the summer sky of the Alban Hills.
Who organizes it
The event is promoted by the Photo Club Controluce APS, a cultural association with a long history in the Tusculan area, in collaboration with the Municipality of Monte Compatri. It is part of the broader Estate monticiana (Monte Compatri Summer) program, a series of seasonal events, music, and culture that accompanies residents and visitors throughout the summer.
Two stages in the historic center
Performances are split between two iconic locations in the town, both starting at 9:00 PM:
- Piazza del Duomo, the living room of the historic center, in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta;
- Piazza della Repubblica Belvedere, a panoramic terrace overlooking the Roman countryside, offering sweeping views that reach as far as the capital on summer evenings.
A program for every taste
The inaugural edition focused on variety: no two evenings are alike. The lineup ranges from interactive theatrical improvisation, where the audience suggests the plot, to musical oratorios with a historical-narrative focus; from great Italian literature brought to the stage—with an adaptation of Italo Calvino's The Baron in the Trees—to youth theater dedicated to rebellious figures in history and literature, culminating in a final evening inspired by Commedia dell'Arte and puppet theater, featuring Pulcinella. A range of genres designed to speak to both children and the most discerning theatergoers.
Free admission and shuttle service
All performances are free of charge, with no reservation required. To easily reach the Belvedere, the organizers provide a free shuttle service departing from Piazza Garibaldi with a return at the end of the evening—a choice made to accommodate the village's layout, which is perched on a hill with limited parking in the ancient core.
Why it's worth the trip
Monte Compatri is one of the most characteristic villages of the Castelli Romani: winding uphill alleys, glimpses of the Tusculum, and an enogastronomic tradition tied to the local Alban Hills wine and rustic Lazio cuisine. Watching a show at the Belvedere, with the lights of Rome in the background, is an experience that combines high-quality theater with the charm of the landscape. The free admission and diverse programming make Theater Under the Stars one of the most interesting additions to the cultural summer of the Castelli Romani.
Theater Under the Stars — edition 2026
The first edition
With the 2026 edition, the Photo Club Controluce APS and the Municipality of Monte Compatri inaugurated a festival that the village was missing: five evenings of open-air theater, spread over two weekends in July, in two squares of the historic center. The choice to alternate between Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza della Repubblica Belvedere allowed the public to experience two different atmospheres: one more intimate and urban, the other panoramic and open to the Roman countryside.
The positive audience response, particularly for the evening dedicated to The Baron in the Trees at the Belvedere, confirmed the formula: free admission, a single start time at 9:00 PM, diverse genres, and a free shuttle to overcome access difficulties to the ancient core.
Programme Theater Under the Stars 2026
Full program — all shows at 9:00 PM, free admission
- Friday, July 3rd — Piazza del Duomo: One Shot, Compagnia Teatro del Libero Scambio. A short-form theatrical improvisation show where the audience contributes directly to the scene's development.
- Saturday, July 4th — Piazza del Duomo: L'elmo misterioso, Daniele Mutino with I Musici della Storia Cantata. A musical oratorio about love against war, set 2400 years ago.
- July 10th — Piazza della Repubblica Belvedere: The Baron in the Trees, Botteghe Invisibili company. A theatrical adaptation of Italo Calvino's novel.
- July 11th — Piazza della Repubblica Belvedere: Ribelli, Indaco TeatroGiovani. A show dedicated to non-conformist figures in history and literature.
- July 12th — Piazza della Repubblica Belvedere: La Capitanesa de Romolan with Elisa Spanò (ElisettaStilt), followed by Pulcinella nella Luna by Teatro Origine. A closing evening inspired by Commedia dell'Arte.
Shuttle service
Free shuttle for evenings at the Belvedere: departure from Piazza Garibaldi at 8:15 PM and 8:30 PM, return from the Belvedere at 11:00 PM and 11:15 PM.
Highlights Theater Under the Stars 2026
- Inaugural edition of the festival, part of the Monte Compatri Summer program
- Five shows, five different languages: improvisation, music, prose, youth theater, Commedia dell'Arte
- The Baron in the Trees at the Belvedere, one of the most popular moments of the edition
- Final evening with Pulcinella and puppet theater, suitable for children
- Panoramic view of the Roman countryside from the Piazza della Repubblica Belvedere
- Free admission to all events and free shuttle service from the center
Prices Theater Under the Stars 2026
Practical information — Theater Under the Stars
How to get there
By car: From Rome, take the Via Casilina (SS6) or the A1 motorway (Monte Porzio Catone exit), then follow signs for Monte Compatri; it is about 30 km from the Grande Raccordo Anulare. The historic center has restricted traffic and limited parking: it is best to leave your car in the parking areas at the foot of the village.
Shuttle
For evenings at the Belvedere, a free shuttle service runs from Piazza Garibaldi at 8:15 PM and 8:30 PM, with return trips from the Belvedere at 11:00 PM and 11:15 PM.
Admission
All shows are free, starting at 9:00 PM. No reservation is required: we recommend arriving early to secure a seat.
Tips
Open-air evenings in the Alban Hills can be cool: a light sweater is recommended. The village is best explored on foot, so wear comfortable shoes for the sloping alleys. Nearby, you will find traditional trattorias and fraschette where you can dine before the show.
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Where does it take place — Theater Under the Stars
Piazza del Duomo e Belvedere di Piazza della Repubblica