Shakespeare in the Park will still return for an incredible new season, just with one minor change—there’ll be no park…well, no Central Park. After years of gracing the Delacorte Theater, the theater production will need to change venues as it undergoes its most historical revitalization since first opening. Before you panic, rest assured the Delacorte Theater will be back and better than ever by summer 2025, where Shakespeare in the Park will return to its home stage.
But as for the 2024 season, Public Theater will launch “GO PUBLIC!,” a set of free programming that will encompass a free festival of Shakespeare in the Park. “GO PUBLIC!” will travel across the five boroughs to extend the magic of Shakespeare in the Park outside of Central Park.
The program lineup is set to offer The Mobile Unit’s bilingual musical adaptation of “The Comedy of Errors” to play across Hudson Yards, A.R.R.O.W. Field House and more. Performances will kick off starting Tuesday, May 28 and carry on through Sunday, June 30. See the schedule below:
“The Comedy of Errors” 2024 tour
- May 28-June 2 – The New York Public Library and Bryant Park on the Fifth Avenue Terrace (Manhattan)
- June 6-9, June 13-14, June 20-21 – Hudson Yards (Manhattan)
- Date TBA – A.R.R.O.W. Field House (Queens)
- Date TBA – J. Hood Wright Park (Manhattan)
- Date TBA – Maria Hernandez Park (Brooklyn)
- Date TBA – Roy Wilkins Park (Queens)
- Date TBA – St. John the Divine (Manhattan)
- Date TBA – St. Mary’s Park (Bronx)
- Date TBA – Sunset Park (Brooklyn)
- Date TBA – Wolfe’s Pond Park (Staten Island)
Kenny Leon’s 2019 production of “Much Ado About Nothing” will also be screened across the city at various locations. “This year, in addition to the Mobile Unit partnership, we are thrilled that even more New Yorkers will be able to experience Free Shakespeare in the Park through our Movies Under the Stars program. Those attending this free program will be able to experience the magic of visiting The Delacorte Theater from the comfort of their local park and have the chance to witness first-class presentations of recent Free Shakespeare in the Park productions,” said New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. See screening schedule below.
“Much Ado About Nothing” Screening Schedule
- July 11 – J. Hood Wright Park (Manhattan)
- July 17 – McCarren Park (Brooklyn)
- July 24 – Brooklyn War Memorial (Brooklyn)
- August 2 – Faber Park (Staten Island)
- August 20 – Washington Square Park (Manhattan)
- August 29 – Baisley Park (Queens)
- September 6 – Loreto Park (Bronx)
Moreover, you can look forward to The Public’s Summer Block Party on Sunday, July 28th. Live performances and family-friendly activities will take over 425 Lafayette Street.
Rather stay home instead? “GO PUBLIC!” will even offer at-home streaming of Thirteen’s Great Performances of Shakespeare in the Park productions for free.
“We’re all eager to get back to The Delacorte, but the summer of 2024 is going to provide Shakespeare everywhere,” said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. “Come and enjoy, come and celebrate!”
Yet, if you just can’t wait until the Delcacorte Theater reopens you can already start planning ahead for tickets to the 2025 season of Shakespeare in the Park. Remember tickets are free and get distributed in-person in Central Park, at The Public Theater in a lottery, distributed across the boroughs, in a digital lottery with TodayTix, in a standby line in Central Park or by becoming a supporter of The Public Theater.
Learn more about the 2024 season of Shakespeare in the Park here.