Maxamoo’s Guide to “Shakespeare in the Park” 2013
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. This season’s first performance is Tuesday, May 28th.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about this year’s shows and how to get tickets, plus a few helpful tips.
THIS SEASON’S SHOWS
The Comedy of Errors stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson (TV: Modern Family) and Hamish Linklater (TV: The New Adventures of Old Christine). Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Linklater both appeared in past Shakespeare in the Park productions and were lauded for their performances. We (and many others) are very excited for their return.
Performances are May 28 to June 30, except no performances on Mondays or June 9 and June 18.
Wunderkinds Michael Friedman and Alex Timbers are adapting Love’s Labour’s Lost into a musical and there is major buzz around the production. This is the same team that created the emo rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. That show developed a passionate and youthful audience, which we expect will follow them to this show. If indie theater has rock stars, Mr. Friedman and Mr. Timbers are them.
Preview songs from the production here.
Performances are July 23 to August 18, except no performances on Mondays or August 13.
TIME, DURATION, LOCATION
Duration: 90 minutes, NO INTERMISSION
Location: Delacorte Theater, inside Central Park, near Central Park West and West 81stStreet
Subway Directions: Take the B or C subway to the “81 St – Museum of Natural History” stop.
GETTING TICKETS
In addition, in each New York City borough the Public distributes tickets for one performance of each show. For dates, times, and locations of ticket distribution see here.
(2) Online lottery. The Public hosts a daily online ticketing lottery for tickets to that day’s 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. To obtain a single ticket to one production the minimum contribution is $175. To obtain two tickets to each production the minimum contribution is $1,000. You can get more information about donating to the Public (a very worthy cause in our opinion) here.
(4) Standby. 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.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Get there early and early. It is easier to get tickets early in each show’s performance schedule. Both of this year’s shows are likely to be popular so expect that you’ll either have to be very lucky in the electronic lottery or get to Central Park very early in the morning.
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, drunken, disorderly or suspicious conduct, or harassment of the Public’s staff or other visitors.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
Rain. A little rain won’t slow down Shakespeare in the Park so if there is a threat of rain come prepared to endure some sprinkles. Inevitably this means wearing a poncho, open umbrellas are not permitted during the performance. Ponchos are for sale at the theater ($15.00 this year) and, of course, if clouds are threatening a few enterprising individuals will have rain gear for sale. Bringing a towel or napkins to dry your seat is a good idea.
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.
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.
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.
P.S. The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park website is at http://www.shakespeareinthepark.org.