Going to the annual “Shakespeare in the Park” shows in Central Park is on most New Yorkers’ summer bucket lists, if they’re lucky enough to snag tickets. And last year’s fabulous performances of Richard III and As You Like It have left us in anticipation for the arrival of the 2023 season ever since!
Lucky for us, The Public Theater recently announced that Shakespeare in the Park will return for the 2023 season with a nine-week production of Hamlet, directed by Kenny Leon.
This year, the organization is celebrating 61 years and 100+ productions of free Shakespeare performances in Central Park. According to the Public Theater’s website, the centuries-old play will be a contemporary take on the classic story.
The first performance of Hamlet will debut June 8, 2023. The production will carry through to August 6, 2023.
“I’m so happy to be at The Delacorte once again and to share something that binds us to one another,” said Kenny Leon. “A 400-year-old play exploring the need for a strong foundation of family, with music and words, Shakespeare’s Hamlet has much to say about humanity and the importance of our connectedness to each other.”
The 2023 season comes just ahead of major renovations set for fall 2023 to the 61-year-old Delacorte Theater. Preconstruction began in the fall of 2022 after the Landmarks Preservation Committee approved plans on January 25, 2022. The multi-million dollar project will bring improvements to the theater’s accessibility, infrastructure, and other theatrical needs.
“Hamlet will be a beautiful salute to the city as we head into a season where we will be renewing and renovating our beautiful home, The Delacorte Theater,” said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis.
A tradition for more than half a century in the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, Shakespeare in the Park brings distinguished theater performances for FREE to the New York masses.
“Investing in The Delacorte means we are investing in the future of this industry and strengthening outdoor performing arts,” said Luis A. Miranda Jr., Public Theater Board Chair. “This investment in one of the city’s public treasures will exceed City minority involvement benchmarks in the construction process, in line with The Public’s anti-racism and cultural transformation plan.”
This year, the Public Theater is bringing back all in-person distributions for free tickets and entrance to the digital lottery via TodayTix. For free distribution, you can score tickets as outlined by their website:
- In-person distribution in Central Park
- In-person lottery at The Public Theater
- In-person distribution in the boroughs
- Digital lottery with TodayTix
- In-person standby line in Central Park
However, Supporter Plus members are able to reserve their seat with a donation of $300 or more.
Learn more about the 2023 season of Shakespeare in the Park here.