How much free Shakespeare in the park will future summers bring?

A day after announcing it will present a shorter, less expensive run of Shakespeare on the Common this summer, the Citi Performing Arts Center said it remained committed to the free public production in the future, but doesn't know whether it will return to a longer run next year.

This summer's show will be "A Midsummer Night's Dream," running for one week only, July 24- 29. That is down from last year's run of just over three weeks. The new production will also be less expensive than last year's and will take place in Shakespeare on the Common's former home near the bandstand, moved from the Parade Grounds so that area can be reseeded and resodded.

For more than a decade, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's run on the Common has grown, both in cost and audience size, attracting about 100,000 people last year.

The decision to cut back was made for several reasons: The city is renovating parts of the Common and doesn't want to offer space for a three-week run, neighbors have complained about noise, and the Citi Performing Arts Center, which oversees the production, needs to cut costs.

Josiah A. Spaulding Jr. , president and CEO of the Citi Center, said last year's 18-show run of "The Taming of the Shrew" was too big and, at more than $800,000, cost too much to produce. He couldn't raise enough money to offset those costs last year, he said.

"It's still $500,000 of free Shakespeare," said Spaulding yesterday by phone of this summer's production.

City leaders stressed that CSC's production is one of the few events allowed to remain on the Common at all during an extensive replacement of grass and topsoil. Other signature events -- including a range of charity walks -- have had to relocate.

"We are making them the exception because we like them and value their programming," said Antonia Pollack , the Boston Parks and Recreation Department commissioner. "We've asked everybody else to go except them."

The announcement of the shortened run has upset some members of the local theater community.

"I certainly understand the vagaries of production issues and the city, but it's wonderful for the city," said Kate Snodgrass , artistic director of Boston Playwrights' Theatre , yesterday. "A week isn't enough. I want them to restore it. I want it back."

Film and stage director Sam Weisman , who acted in CSC's "Hamlet" two years ago, said he was annoyed considering that only months ago, New York-based Citigroup purchased the naming rights to the then-Wang Center for the Performing Arts for $34 million spread over 15 years.

"[The free Shakespeare] is just one of the greatest things that goes on in Boston," said Weisman yesterday. "I can't believe that given the influx of cash they got that this is how they choose to behave. And knowing what I know about Mayor Menino, I would think he would find another solution. This is a civic blunder."

Said Spaulding, "The Citi deal had not been done when we made our decision on Shakespeare."

And Julie Burns, director of the city's office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events, defended the Citi Center. "It's not like they're getting $34 million tomorrow," she said. "It's better to have one week than nothing at all."

Steven Maler , CSC's artistic director, said he was disappointed to have to shorten the run.

"Obviously, my hope is that Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is on Boston Common for as long as possible for ever and ever," he said. "All of us, in our own way, are cutting back and trying to be as efficient as we can be and hunker down for the long haul."

It is possible, Spaulding said, that the company will present three to four free performances in Springfield this summer after the Boston run ends. And Spaulding said Shakespeare on the Common will continue. He just didn't know whether the run could be expanded beyond one week or where it would take place on the Common in the future.

"Right now, and for the next six months, I'm worried about this summer," he said. "I've gotten no further than that."

Geoff Edgers can be reached at gedgers@globe.com. For more on the arts go to boston.com/ae/exhibitionist.