There will sadly not be any Free Shakespeare in the Park this summer—Central Park's Delacorte Theater remains closed for renovations until summer 2025. But that doesn't mean that The Public Theater doesn't have other plans.
Newly revealed summer 2024 programming, titled "Go Public!," includes a return of the company's Mobile Unit, which is bringing back its bilingual musical adaptation of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, the brainchild of director Rebecca Martinez and composer Julian Mesri. The production will play free performances across all five NYC boroughs May 28-June 30.
And, though there may be no new Free Shakespeare in the Park, The Public is making filmed performances of past productions accessible to everyone. Last summer's Hamlet, starring Ato Blankson-Wood, has already set a broadcast date via PBS' Great Performances. The title will also stream for free throughout May via PBS.org and the PBS app. Also available to stream via May and June will be 2019's Much Ado About Nothing, 2021's Merry Wives, and 2022's Richard III. Details on streaming these titles will be available in the coming weeks.
That filmed performance of Much Ado About Nothing will get free outdoor screenings in all five boroughs, part of a partnership with NYC Parks and The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment's Movies Under the Stars program. Screenings are scheduled for June, July, and August.
"NYC Parks is proud to have been a champion and partner of The Public Theater and Free Shakespeare in the Park since its inception," says Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue in a statement. "NYC Parks programming would not be complete without the joyous Mobile Unit productions that visit our rec centers and parks each year. 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."
Downtown at The Public's Lafayette Street home, a block party celebrating the season will be held July 28, featuring live performances, activities for all ages, and more. Further details are to be announced.
Nick Rehberger, Ato Blankson-Wood, and the company of Hamlet
Lorraine Toussaint, Nick Rehberger, and John Douglas Thompson in Hamlet
Company of Hamlet
Ato Blankson-Wood, Mitchell Winter, and Brandon Gill in Hamlet
Warner Miller and Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
Greg Hildreth and Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
Ato Blankson-Wood and Solea Pfeiffer in Hamlet
Lorraine Toussaint and John Douglas Thompson in Hamlet
Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
John Douglas Thompson, Solea Pfeiffer, Nick Rehberger, and Laughton Royce in Hamlet
Daniel Pearce and Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
Company of Hamlet
