The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF) opens its summer 2021 season with two in-person productions: a children’s show based on a beloved book and a one-person theatrical memoir starring a veteran of stage and screen.

“Charlotte’s Web” opened the 30th PSF season at 10 a.m. June 25 and continues through July 31 on the Air Products Open Air Theatre.

“Charlotte’s Web” will also be available for streaming online, starting at noon July 13 and continuing through July 31.

“Candyman” movie star Tony Todd performs August Wilson’s “How I Learned What I Learned,” opening at 6:30 p.m. June 29 and continuing through July 11, Main Stage, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley, Upper Saucon Township.

PSF, which canceled its 2020 summer season because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, reopens for its 30th anniversary with the return of the popular children’s show, “Charlotte’s Web,” on the new outdoor theater stage on the mall in the vicinity of Labuda.

“Charlotte’s Web,” written by Joseph Robinette, is based on the award-winning book, “Charlotte’s Web,” by E.B. White. The story follows the story of the farmyard pig Wilbur, who is rescued as a runt by the young girl Fern and saved from becoming bacon by the clever spider Charlotte.

The heartwarming story about the power of true friendship is directed by Matt Pfeiffer. Run time for the play is 60 minutes with no intermission.

The show will be performed in a socially-distanced manner. Theater-goers are to bring their own lawn chairs. Face masks will not be required outdoors but are required in campus buildings, including the restrooms.

“How I Learned What I Learned,” written and originally performed by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wilson (1945 - 2005), is an autobiographical exploration of the career of one of America’s greatest writers.

The moving solo performance follows Wilson’s life and artistic journey, from growing up in Pittsburgh’s Hill District to the completion of “Fences.” Wilson’s poetic voice takes center stage, illuminating a vivid portrait of his self-discovery and growth in becoming an artist.

PSF was to have presented “Fences” for the 2020 season. There are plans to present “Fences,” possibly for the 2022 season at PSF.

Set in the 1950s, “Fences” is the sixth in Wilson’s 10-part “Pittsburgh Cycle.” “Fences” won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play. The 2016 film adaptation of “Fences,” directed by and starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, reprising their roles from the 2010 Broadway revival, received four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor (Washington) with Davis winning for Best Supporting Actress.

The charismatic six-foot-five Todd is best-known for his performances in horror and science-fiction films, including the title role in the “Candyman” theatrical feature film series (1992 - 1999), with a reboot release set for August. He also played William Bludworth in the “Final Destination” movie franchise (2000 - 2011) and voiced The Fallen in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009), for which the opening sequence was filmed at the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. south side Bethlehem plant, now the site of SteelStacks.

Todd, with an acting career spanning more than 30 years, has appeared in more than 100 films, including Oliver Stone’s Academy Award-winning “Platoon” (1986), “Lean On Me” (1989) with Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood’s “Bird” (1988).

On television, he had recurring roles on all three new versions of “Star Trek;” a recurring role on “Boston Public” and guest appearances on “Law & Order,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “The X-Files,” “24,” “21 Jump Street” and many more.

On stage, Todd won a Helen Hayes Award for his performance in Athol Fugard’s “The Captain’s Tiger” and originated the title role in the world premiere of August Wilson’s “King Hedley II.”

He also performed in his one-man-play, “Ghost in the House,” about the late heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson.

“Tony’s versatility, artistry and craft as an actor, coupled with his rich experience with August Wilson’s plays, will prove invaluable in plumbing the depths of this playwright’s perspective and insight,” says PSF Producing Artistic Director Patrick Mulcahy. “We are so pleased to have an actor of Tony Todd’s caliber soloing in this iconic role.”

“How I Learned What I Learned” is directed by Christopher V. Edwards, who was to have directed PSF”s 2020 production of “Fences.” Edwards, Artistic Director of the Actor’s Shakespeare Project, Boston, has joined the PSF staff as Distinguished Artist and Consultant, providing insight and guidance for planning, programming, organizational development, diversity and inclusion.

“How I Learned What I Learned”e runs 90 minutes with no intermission. The play, which contains adult subject matter and strong language, is recommended for ages 13 an older.

Because of licensing restrictions, the play will not be available online.

There will be limited capacity and social distancing for seating in the Main Stage theater. Face masks are required by theater-goers during the performance.

PSF’s 2021 season run June 25 - Aug. 1. Other shows are William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” July 7 - Aug. 1; “In Concert with Phoenix Best,” July 12, and “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” July 24-25, all on the Air Products stage, and “The Iliad,” July 20 - Aug. 1, Main Stage.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Iliad” will be available for streaming, as will a reading of playwright Karen Zacarias’ play, “Native Gardens.”

Tickets: www.pashakespeare.org; 610-282-9455

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com