Maxamoo’s Insider Guide to Shakespeare in the Park
Every summer The Public Theater produces Shakespeare in the Park at the outdoor Delacorte Theater in Central Park. It is one of New York City’s greatest traditions and, remarkably, the tickets are free. Being free, the tickets are also highly in demand.
Typically, the Shakespeare in the Park season runs from early June to mid August and includes two shows. The performances attract major talent on stage and in the audience, which can make for a fun evening of celebrity sightings. The quality of the productions, from acting to design, are of the highest caliber.
We’ve been attending Shakespeare in the Park for years and we’ve compiled our insider’s knowledge in this guide to tell you everything you need to know about attending and enjoying Shakespeare in the Park. Click here for information on this year’s productions.
The Public’s Shakespeare in the Park is a special and unique tradition. We hope you will have the opportunity to participate. If you have any questions tweet to us at @maxamoo.
GETTING TICKETS
There are three legit ways to get tickets. Only one method guarantees tickets and, of course, it involves donating a lot of money.
(1) Wait in line. The Public distributes free tickets on the day of each performance at noon at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. For popular shows, people start lining up as soon as the park opens at 6 a.m. Each person is entitled to two tickets while supplies last. There are bathroom facilities and food vendors nearby.
After all of the tickets are distributed for the day’s show a standby line will form. Immediately prior to the start of the performance, if there are available seats in the theater, the Public will distribute tickets to individuals in the standby line on a one ticket per person basis.
(2) Online lottery. The Public hosts a daily online ticketing lottery for tickets to each performance. One may register here for the lottery between midnight and noon on the day of the performance. Winners are selected randomly, not by order of registration. Winners are notified via email.
(3) Be a donor. The Public gives high-level financial donors tickets to Shakespeare in the Park as well as other benefits. To obtain a single ticket to one production the minimum contribution is $200 (it’s tax deductible). You can get more information about donating to the Public (a worthy cause in our opinion) here.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Get there early. It is easier to get tickets early in each show’s performance schedule. Once buzz around a show builds, you’ll have to get in line very early in the morning to snatch a ticket.
Don’t be a jerk. The Public is strict about enforcing its rules for ticket distribution. They will deny tickets for line cutting, jumping ahead, saving spots, adding additional people, using a replacement person, leaving the line for an extended period of time (bathroom visits are permitted), smoking, disorderly conduct, or harassment of the Public’s staff or other visitors.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
Rain. A little rain won’t shut down Shakespeare in the Park so if there is a threat of rain come prepared to endure some sprinkles. This means wearing a poncho, open umbrellas are not permitted during the performance. Ponchos are for sale at the theater and, of course, if clouds are threatening a few enterprising individuals will have rain gear for sale outside the theater. Bring a towel or napkins to dry your seat.
In the event of heavy rain, lightning, strong winds, and other severe inclement weather the performance will be canceled. Tickets for canceled performances are not rescheduled.
In the past, the Public has done everything it can to not cancel performances for weather-related reasons, including delaying start times and starting and stopping the production for intermittent showers. Rain all day, even strong rain at the start time does not guarantee a canceled performance. It is uncanny how often the rain stops in Central Park just in time for the show to start.
Ticket Limits. Every human is limited to seeing each production twice. How the Public will enforce this rule we don’t know but they’ve threatened to deny tickets and admission to anyone caught breaking it. In our experience, the rule isn’t enforced and fanatics often seen favorite shows multiple times.
Hot and Cold. It may be hot during the day but once the sun goes down it can get chilly at the Delacorte. We recommend packing a light sweater or jacket no matter how hot it is when you leave for the theater.
Mosquitos. Behind the Delacorte stage is a pond and that pond attracts a lot of bugs, especially mosquitos. We recommend packing a little bug spray and doing some preventative pre-show spritzing.
Kids. Children, including babies, are permitted in the theater (although see “Manners” below).
Food and Drinks. Food and drinks are permitted in the theater (although see “Manners” below). There are a variety of refreshments for sale at the theater, including beer and wine.
Manners. The productions at the Delacorte are as sophisticated and professional as any you will see in the most respected and fancy theaters in the world. However, because the production is outside and children, food, and drinks are permitted the atmosphere is more casual. Theater etiquette, however, continues to apply. Don’t talk during the production; don’t mess with food wrappers; take your kid out of the theater if s/he is crying; and TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE, ALL THE WAY OFF, AND DON’T TURN IT ON UNTIL THE ENCORE APPLAUSE IS OVER.
Bathrooms. Central Park’s bathroom facilities are not fancy but they do have running water. Expect a long line at the women’s restroom.
LOCATION
81 Central Park West (Inside Central Park, near Central Park West and West 81st Street)
New York City