Shakespeare in the Park

Two nights ago I was lucky enough to attend Shakespeare in the Park's "The Comedy of Errors."

Seeing Shakespeare in the Park is a true New York experience.  What is Shakespeare in the Park you may ask?

Shakespeare in the Park, simply put, is free high quality theatre theatre made available on a first come first serve basis to people who get up early and wait in line.  It is presented at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.  (You would enter Central Park from 81st st. and CPW.)  Shakespeare in the Park has been a tradition since the Delactore was built in 1961 (it openeding in 1962.)  It is produced by The Public Theatre which was founded by the visionary Joe Papp. For the past 51 years it has been producing some of the best directed productions of Shakespeare in the U.S., often starring celebrities such as Al Pacino or Jesse Tyler Ferguson.


Shakespeare in the Park has become to popular that people will begin lining up at early at 6 a.m. for tickets that are handed out noon.   While my friend waited Some die hards will even hire homeless people to stand in line for them before Central Park Opens!  If you arrive at 10 a.m. if may be too late to get a ticket.  The good news for those in line is, you will not be bored or hungry.  "Street performers" like to entertain people waiting in the line, often asking for tips.  There is a saxophonist who is always there.  There have been jazz trios, guitarists who put Shakespeare sonnets and monologues to songs, people performing scenes from Shakespeare, and dancers.  You can also order food to be delivered to you "in the line."  Why not eat a pizza while you wait?  Another common past time is watching the parade of dogs on their morning walks that pass by you.  Every friend I have ever had that waited in lone has wonderful dog stories for me.  I was lucky enough to not wait in line for my ticket.  I have a fabulous friend who waited in line for me while I took a bus of the most delightful school children on an early morning walking tour of Central Park.  Here he is, the incredible Erik Hanson, waiting "in the line."

And here are some street performers:

The line of people who arrive before 7 am.

The theatre opened at 8 and the show began at 8:30.  It is a relatively short Shakespeare play so it was performed without and intermission. This particular production incorporated some of the most brilliant swing dancing I have ever seen.

What makes Shakespeare int he Park truly special though is the setting.  The Delacorte is an outdoor theatre, so surrounding the sets are the lush landscapes of Central Park - including Belvedere Castle.    It's very intersting when you are watching theatre, and landscape around the theatre is more magical than the amazing sets on stage.  Of course this also means the actors might have to compete with airplanes and helicopters flying overhead, or the stray loud boombox, but that is all part of the magic.

Here is a photo of me and Erik about to enjoy The Comedy of Errors.