» Shakespeare in the Park Starts Today

Shakespeare in the Park Starts Today

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

pacino-merchant-of-venice It’s time for another great season of Shakespeare in the Park, Public Theater’s free summer shows taking place at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater (mid-park, near 81st and Central Park West entrance). This year, shows will alternate between The Winter’s Tale (featuring Modern Family‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Law and Order‘s Jesse L. Martin, among others) and The Merchant of Venice (starring Al Pacino and featuring a strong supporting cast from theater, television and film). The shows, running approximately six days per week through August 1st, begin at 8:00 pm, with the free tickets (limit two per person) distributed at 1:00 pm on the day of the performance at the Delacorte Theater. The line for free tickets tends to form very early, especially for shows on weekends or with big stars. Note that the park opens at 6:00 am, and if you decide to line up prior to park opening, you may do so at the 81st Street and Central Park West park entrance. Alternatively, you can try the virtual ticketing system, requesting tickets online on the day of the performance prior to 1:00 pm, and crossing your fingers that you are selected from the lottery. Finally, certain dates also will allow ticket pick-up at locations throughout the city’s five boroughs. Check the borough pick-up page for further information.