This summer, producers of free, outdoor Shakespeare are switching things up. Instead of doing yet another production of pieces like “Romeo and Juliet” or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” they’re piquing the interest of audiences by doing less familiar, but equally accessible works like “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “Cymbeline: King of Britain.”

The first is an early comedy with a not so comic ending; the second, a wild adventure, part of the Bard’s late fairytale “romance” series.

The season’s highest profile show, as usual, is the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s (CSC) “Free Shakespeare on the Common” This year, it’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost.”

This high-spirited comedy satirizes youthful idealism derailed by love. The King of Navarre and three nobleman pals decide that the best way to prevent distractions as they dedicate themselves to three years of study and fasting is simply to ban all women from court. Separating the sexes and hitting the books proves far from simple when the beautiful Princess of France and her equally charming and smart ladies-in-waiting arrive in Navarre pleading for shelter. Predictably, the men’s interest in academia wanes as they try to figure how to circumvent their solemn vows as they find the damsels much more interesting than dusty tomes.

Boston critics are unanimous in hailing this production as yet another triumph for CSC’s Founding Artistic Director, Steven Maler.

Critic Joyce Kulhawik enthuses, “One of their best productions ever! ... Don’t miss “Love’s Labour’s Lost” with a star-studded cast as luminous as the stars above; they light up the Bard’s sophisticated and rueful comedy about the games we play in love.”

Don Aucoin of the Boston Globe concurs , “Words pour out in such dazzling profusion throughout “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” an early comedy, that Shakespeare’s untrammeled joy in language is abundantly evident...Whatever your station in life, the playwright reminds us, it’s hard to say no to love when it comes calling — and to avoid looking ludicrous while succumbing to it.”

This weekend is the final one for this acclaimed show, but note there’s a 3 p.m. matinee this Saturday.

Closer to home, the Dot-based Brown Box Theatre Project will conclude its sixth touring season with its young cast performances of “Cymbeline.” Vaguely based on events in ancient British history, the play has as its main character the lovely and resourceful Imogen. When her father banishes her soul-mate, the princess must embark on a quest to prove her fidelity, escape her stepmother’s dastardly plot, and reclaim her love. “Cymbeline” is brimming with forbidden romance, mistaken identities, jealousy, vile trickery, poison, disguises, epic swordfights, and a shocking scene in the lady’s boudoir.

A theatrical feast that defies genre lines, “Cymbeline” delicately blends tragedy, comedy, and romance into an enchanting and unforgettable Shakespearian fairy tale. BBTP Director Kyler Taustin explains: “ ‘Cymbeline,’ ” one of Shakespeare’s rarely produced works, is an alluring amalgamation of romance, ferocity, intrigue, and fancy, all encompassed in one ‘hidden gem’ of a play. Its focus on patriotism, loyalty, trust and honor is incredibly timely in our current social and political climate, and I am eager to use this play to explore the ways in which pride and ego can blind even the most noble individuals and result in ruinous consequences within families, countries, and even oneself.”

This year Brown Box brings Shakespeare to many more performance spaces than previously. The closest venues are Still Harbor (666 Dot Avenue) on Thurs., Aug. 18, and Castle Island on Aug. 26. If neither of these dates is convenient, the troupe will be on Atlantic Wharf and the Martini Shell in Hyde Park. Then they will hit the road for Fall River, Hopkinton, and Plymouth before taking packing up their sets and costumes in a “brown box” and heading for Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.

Shakespeare reminds us that “Summer’s lease hath all too short a stay,” so don’t delay in attending at least one of these rarely seen shows.