The Delacorte Theater, the beloved home of Free Shakespeare in the Park, is under construction and undergoing a much-needed revitalization until 2025. So, this summer, The Public Theater is celebrating all things Free Shakespeare in the Park by bringing the show to you in your community and at home.
Beginning in May, Mobile Unit’s delightful production of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, a bilingual musical adaptation featuring contemporary rhythms from across Latin America, will return to parks and plazas, bringing joy and mayhem to all five boroughs. The festival continues with free screenings of THIRTEEN’S Great Performances on PBS capture of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Heralded as a “delicious production of a great Shakespearean comedy” by The New York Times, this free movie night will light up screens in parks from the Bronx to Staten Island. You can even bring the festivities home, with free, on demand streaming of THIRTEEN’S Great Performances on PBS captures of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, MERRY WIVES, RICHARD III, and HAMLET throughout May and June.
Shakespeare in the Parks Mobile Unit: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS will be performed in English and Spanish at outdoor sites in collaboration with The New York Public Library and Bryant Park and as part of the “Backyard at Hudson Yards presented by Wells Fargo” series at Hudson Yards.
The Mobile Unit will also perform in public plazas and parks across the five boroughs in partnership with NYC Parks as well as other key Public Theater partners, including St. John the Divine.
Conceived by director Rebecca Martínez and composer Julián Mesri, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS adaptation embraces contemporary music styles from Latin America in a tale of separation and reunion. Featuring live actor-musicians, this modern musical adaptation brings a vibrant energy to an age-old tale of two sets of twins separated by stormy seas as they overcome a baffling case of mistaken identity—and the mayhem and hilarious confusion that follows.
Admission
All performances take place outdoors. Chair seating is available at all locations, but seating is limited, and general admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is not guaranteed. There is no ticket distribution, and a reservation is not required. By clicking “Register To Receive More Information” via the link above and indicating your performance date, they will send you a performance reminder, detailed instructions on how to get to the location, and exciting content about the show!
Schedule:
May 28th – June 2nd: The New York Public Library and Bryant Park (Manhattan)
*Partner seating is limited on May 29th
June 4th: Wolfe’s Pond (Staten Island)
June 5th: J. Hood Wright Park (Manhattan)
June 6th – June 9th, June 13th – June 14th, June 20th – June 21st: Hudson Yards (Manhattan)
*Partner seating is limited on June 20th
June 11th: Roy Wilkins Park (Queens)
June 12th, June 15th: A.R.R.O.W Field House (Queens)
June 16th, June 30th: Cathedral of St. John The Divine (Manhattan)
June 18th: Sunset Park (Brooklyn)
June 19th: Travers Park (Queens)
June 22nd: Maria Hernandez Park (Brooklyn)
June 23rd: Astor Place (Manhattan)
June 25th – June 26th: St. Mary’s Park (Bronx)
June 27th – June 29th: The Peninsula at Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
Movie in the Parks: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and NYC Parks experience The Public’s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Recorded live from The Delacorte Theater in Central Park in 2019 by THIRTEEN’S Great Performances on PBS. Tony Award winner Kenny Leon directs a bold new take on Shakespeare’s cherished comedy of romantic retribution and miscommunication.
Admission
Bring a blanket and snacks, find a great spot on the lawn, and watch MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING in the great outdoors at locations across all five boroughs. There is no ticket distribution, and a reservation is not required. By clicking “Register To Receive More Information” via the link above and indicating your performance date, we can send you a performance reminder, detailed instructions on how to get to the movie site, and exciting content about the show!
Schedule:
June 29th – The Peninsula at Prospect Park (Brooklyn)*
July 11th – J. Hood Wright Park (Manhattan)
July 17th – McCarren Park (Brooklyn)
July 24th – Brooklyn War Memorial (Brooklyn)
August 2nd – Faber Park (Staten Island)
August 3rd – Flushing Meadows Park (Queens)*
August 12th – Central Park, Frisbee Hill (Manhattan)*
August 20th – Washington Square Park (Manhattan)
August 29th – Baisley Park (Queens)
September 6th – Loreto Park (Bronx)
*Join for these Public Theater Pops Up! where there will be day-of activities, free merch, and more!
Free Shakespeareare at Home: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, HAMLET, MERRY WIVES, RICHARD III
This summer, throughout May and June everyone will have free access to stream The Public’s Free Shakespeare in the Park productions of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (2019), MERRY WIVES (2021), RICHARD III (2022), and the premiere of HAMLET (2023), captured live from The Delacorte Theater in Central Park by THIRTEEN for Great Performances on PBS.
Click the “Register to Receive More Information” button, sign up, and you’ll receive updates and viewing links once they become available.
WAYS TO STREAM…
- On your Desktop through the PBS Website
- On your phone or tablet through the PBS: Watch TV & Documentaries App
- On your TV through the PBS: Watch TV & Documentaries App
After downloading the app, simply search MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and start streaming!
Schedule:
May 3rd-June 30th: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
May 10th-June 30th: HAMLET
May 17th-June 30th: MERRY WIVES
May 24th-June 30th: RICHARD III
