What does a musical theatre actor do in his downtime from playing Shakespeare? Easy: sing. Rent star Anthony Rapp will perform the national anthem at the July 28 at 1 PM in Boston's Fenway Park before the Red Sox take the field to play the Baltimore Orioles.

Rapp will then return to the Common for that evening's performance of Henry V which runs through Aug. 4 as this year's free Commonwealth production. Commonwealth artistic director Steven Maler directs.

Set after Shakespeare's Henry IV Parts I and II, Henry V finds young Prince Hal all grown up and distanced from Falstaff and the other playmates of his reckless youth. Once the irresponsible child, Henry has now become a great leader, laying claim to and winning lands in France. Through epic battles the play illustrates the pains and losses of war.

Henry V will be performed at the Parkman Bandstand in Boston Common. Performances are free to the public. For more information, call the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company at 617-747-4468 or visit www.commonwealthshakespeare.org.

— by Ernio Hernandez