Shakespeare In the Park

What the highlights of my trip to New York City. Got a chance to have to go see one of the shows. And it was absolutely amazing. So lasted about three hours and I didn’t wanted to end when he did. Only downside is seats were too small. I sat beside a very Big man. Hey took up part of my seat and the one on the other side of him.

Shakespeare in the Park is a quintessential New York experience. The entire process, securing tickets (which are free), watching the show at Delacorte Theatre, spotting celebrities, is part of living in New York. You can bring food/​beverages into the theater as long as everything fits under the seat. No glass containers allowed.

What a wonderful experience! I recommend anyone living in or visiting New York during the summer attend this at least once. I was lucky enough to score 2 tickets through the online lottery (visit the Public Theater’s website for details) to see Cymbaline. Here is how that works:
Sign up for an account on the Public Theater’s website and apply for tickets to show before noon on the day you would like to attend. If you are selected you should receive an email by 1pm saying so. You then have to pick up your tickets from the will call booth at the theater itself before 7pm. Arrive any later, and you are out of luck — unclaimed tickets go directly to the standby line.
The concession stand has a variety of options, though few of them are vegetarian friendly. That said, you’re not there for the food, you’re there for The Bard! The gates to the seating area opened at around 7:30 and the show promptly started at 8. There don’t seem to be any bad seats in the place since the acoustics are pretty good. One cool thing you’ll notice is how peaceful the Delacorte Theater is — it’s hard to believe you are in the middle of the city!
Two thumbs up, I can’t wait to go back next year.

This is such a treat for anyone with even the slightest appreciation for the arts. If lining up for tickets, it’s best to get there before 10:30. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up with single tickets (not together) or none at all. The first people in line when we went had been there since 6am with blankets, lawn chairs etc. — people camp out for real.
With that said, it is totally worth whatever means (lining up, raffle, etc.) and gamble. The performers are entertaining to the max and can bring to life any Victorian plays. The amphitheater is great and surprisingly organized given the usual crowd. You can also bring any food and drinks (no glass), as play is usually ~3 hours with 15 intermission. Definitely recommend.

Saw Cymbeline twice and adored it both times. Performances are phenomenal and story was modernized enough to keep non-​literary types interested.

GO SEE CYMBALINE before it ends on ⁸⁄₂₃! It honestly was the most fantastic experience and I much preferred it to the Temptest.
The theater itself is pretty small, which makes for a somewhat intimate experience, no matter where you’re seating. I was lucking to have clear nights on both occasions, so I can’t complain about the open-​air setting.
The food/​drinks at the concessions stand were actually superb — hello Brooklyn Summer Ale. Pricey, obviously, but definitely a tad classier than your typical theater fare.
There are many ways to win tickets via the lottery. I personally did not stand in line, but I would go and stand given the quality of the performance.

Free quality theater, comfortable seating, great views, astounding tech (for outside theater), nice employees, really good catering for concessions, large and relatively clean bathrooms, and a gorgeous area of Central Park. There was even a jazz trio playing the evening we were there.
Can you really ask for more?
This is an experience not to be missed, if you’re able to make the time, and get in. Even if not, stroll by to sample the concessions. Delicious sausages, frozen sangria, fresh popcorn, delightful staff.
Such a wonderful summer experience!

Wonderful experience. Free tickets. We won the lottery for tix today!
Free Shakespeare in the Park all Summer long. It’s a great outdoor theater space for a warm summer night. The sound system works great and the entertainment is even better. Eat before heading to the theater. You can grab a hot dog or one of their other snacks but it isn’t filling enough for a meal.

Both plays during Summer of 2015 are excellent! Amazing venue!

I went to the second showing of Cymbeline on Saturday. My sister and I both signed up for the online lottery, and we each won two tickets on our second try. I don’t know if it’s because the odds are actually good, or if it’s because there are no Pacinos or Lithgows in this production, but I’m certainly glad we didn’t have to make the huge line at Central Park.
Shakespeare in the Park is such a unique experience; open theater under the moonlight in the middle of Central Park… and you can bring your own food and drinks! Everyone that can do it, should do it. I had never heard of Cymbeline prior to this, but it was quite fun. Kudos to actors Patrick Page and Steven Skybell in their roles as Cymbeline and Pisanio.

If you live in NYC, it should be mandated that you go to Shakespeare in the Park.
Totally worth the wait in line. Actually, I would say the wait is part of the experience.
The venue has a beautiful view of the castle behind the set. The sound is good and the seats aren’t half bad. The seats aren’t bleachers, they’re actually chairs so that was nice. You can bring your own alcohol, so that’s a plus.
The performance is stellar as well.
All around, great way to spend your day/​night! Don’t be scared of the ticket waiting process!

«O, wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in’t!»
The Tempest
I had no idea what I was getting into that morning as I woke at dawn but after the line was done, tickets were received, performance was given, I left the Delacorte thinking that parting was such sweet sorrow, so I said goodnight till it be morrow.
I went on a Wednesday (yes I have a job but I work at a school and had the day off) and got there at 8:30am. Come prepared with chairs, snacks, crossword puzzles and a friend to talk to. All that made the time fly by. Around 9:30 the staff will announce some house rules: you can only leave the line to go to the bathroom, no one new can join the line, tickets are handed out at 12, each person can have 2 tickets, you cannot sell the tickets, you can bring food and drink inside the theatre, even alcohol but no glass, etc etc.
As long as your not over the second hill from the start of the line you should get tickets. I wish you all good luck and hope you get to enjoy a show, and maybe even have some celebrity sightings — we saw Sam Watterson and Tyler Ferguson in The Tempest, and all the actors were amazing!

My family and I have gone to different plays over the years, and we always have a good time! It can be a tough process to get tickets, but for us it’s totally worth it.
There are multiple ways of getting tickets including a virtual lottery, physically waiting in line, and by becoming a Summer Supporter or through company sponsorship. Since I don’t have the money or connections to get tickets via the latter, I prefer going there in person and waiting on line. If you secure a good spot on line, you’re more guaranteed to get tickets versus the lottery.
Since the line waiting can be an arduous experience, the employees/​volunteers are very good about monitoring the line and everyone in it. They lay out all the ground rules for the line and for the play at the beginning of the day (7AM-​ish). Please pay attention to the run down and make sure to follow all the rules because it will make things a lot easier for yourself and others.
As for the plays themselves, I’ve never seen a bad one yet. They’re usually very good at casting at least one big name celebrity who is experienced in Shakespeare, which does heighten the excitement a bit more. What’s really nice about the theater is that since it has stadium seating, whatever ticket you’re given will still have a good view of the play. They also have concession stands for food and drinks (including alcohol), and souvenir/​merchandise stands.
This is an old NYC tradition, and one that I love and hope goes on for many, many more years! I wouldn’t say it’s for everyone, but I find the effort to be worth the reward. Good luck everyone!

Worth the wait and ride if you get front seats in NY Central Park! #longestpicnicinthepark #deliveredfood #shakespeare #dudefromlawandorder #tempest

After 3 weeks of persistence, I finally won the online lottery tickets for a Monday show of The Tempest. I basically went on the website every morning of a show and fill out the info. I was so used to getting the «Unfortunately…» email that I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the winning email :)
I picked up the tickets at the box office around 5:30pm, had dinner, and went back around 7:30pm for the show. There were a lot of people and it was perfect weather. We went to our seats and enjoyed a great show. I was very very impressed by the acting of Prospero, Ariel and Caliban. They were amazing. I think they truly embodied the characters. I was also surprised to see Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family as Trinculo.
I think it is something to do if you have time and also the energy to line up at central park for tickets, or, if you are like me who can’t just skip work in the morning, the online lottery.

Shakespeare in the Park play was the most enjoyable experience I had so far. Can’t believe I was reviewing it so late wherein I watched their opening episode for its 53^rd season. Got so tied up with other things but memories from The Tempest experience still lingers.
The plot was presented lightly to easily comprehend. The actors performances were remarkable. I recognized 5 or 6 TV show actors, the most recognizable was the main lead who was from The Law and Order and the supporting actor who played Jester was from Modern Family. The props and decorations are astonishing. The sounds and lighting effects were astounding. The theater size can accommodate about 400 – 500 theater, culture and art lovers. The staff were so friendly and creative. During the half intermission, they tried to accommodate all the ladies who were in looooonnngggg line for the bathroom by breaking into the men’s bathroom, guarded everybody and made the transition process smoothly.
Watching Shakespeare in the Park is one of many things New Yorkers try to accomplish to be considered true New Yorkers. Getting free tickets is not easy. You should know your options for ticket distribution places and the scheduled day. Or else, you’ll end up getting in line in Central Park way way way earlier than other distribution center. The early you get in line, the better chance of getting tickets. The early you exchange your voucher for tickets, the better chance of getting good seats. Good timing worked for us.
Weather was as its best when we watched it. Still need life cover up though as it gets chillier at nighttime. The sun setting down and turning the daylight to dark, appearing the brightness of the stars as backdrop of the stage were completely magical experience.
I would love do it again and again and again.

Shakespeare in the Park is something every New Yorker has to do once!
The performances, whether or not you know the play, is definitely worth waiting in a long line in Central Park for hours in the morning or trying countless times to win the lottery.
Here’s the main ways to get the free tickets: wait in line in Central Park starting at 6am (tickets are given out around noon to the lucky people towards the front of the line); enter online through the virtual ticket lottery; go to one of the ticket giveaway locations in the five boroughs; standby a few hours before the show starts to get any unclaimed tickets!
I think your best bet is waiting in line at Central Park (either early in the morning or being one of the first in the standby lines).
There is a small concession stand with hot dogs, snacks, beer and wine but you can also bring in your own food and drinks as long as nothing is in glass containers!
There’s a small intermission as with any play, but fair warning: the line for the women’s room is LONG.
Overall, something every New Yorker or tourist should do once in their lives!

S uper awesome series right in Central Park~
H ad a pair of tix from the virtual lottery, #winning
A nyone can enter online day-​of, every day
K ept missing out last year, but finally won: D
E ven in the rain, they won’t cancel until after 8pm
S o you gotta pick up at the Box Office 5−7pm
P ray for the best and that the show will go on…
E veryone’s assigned seating, no need to save spots
A nd no umbrellas allowed! So come prepared!
R eally open and unprotected theater, can get chilly
E specially sitting quite still for 2+ hours at night
I f you’ve never experienced, I HIGHLY encourage!
N ot your typical play production at all :]
T hey oft have big names for some of the roles
H ad a great time watching «The Tempest»
E ven if it was cut short due to… a tempest… :P
P lan on bringing snacks, drinks, cushion, blanket
A nd money for reasonably priced food they sell
R emember: no umbrellas, photography, or glass
K eep this event unobstructed, safe, and fun for all!

«Well, let’s build the bastard a theater,» was what director-​producer Joseph Papp famously said before the Delacourt Theatre was built after a heated legal battle with then parks commissioner, Robert Moses over keeping the production in Central Park free for viewers.
And after 45 years, Shakespeare in the park remains free for all to see, thanks to the one man who started it all and fought to keep it accessible for everyone’s enjoyment. It’s since become quintessentially New York, as much New York as the yellow taxis, overpriced pretzels and the brights lights of Times Square.
And for me, watching a Shakespeare play in Central Park meant that I was one step closer in my metamorphosis of becoming a true New Yorker. It’s been on my bucket list of things to do since I first came to NY almost a decade ago and while that list has dwindled considerably, «Shakespeare» has remained at the top.
You see, tickets are a little hard to come by and the show doesn’t run for very long. The season begins at the last week in May and ends during the first week of July, leaving me with only 6 Saturdays out of the year to try my luck.
Admittedly, I’ve never stood in line at 6 am as so many of my fellow Unilocalers have bravely done, instead I attempted the online lottery once and did a whole lot of longing while slaving away at work.
But that all changed this weekend (well not the slaving away at work part). After a long and arduous day in the office, my crazy, amazing, most wonderful friend (who blocked me on Unilocal,so will never know all the nice things I said about him) surprised me with tickets to the Tempest, starring Sam Waterston and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
What was probably more surprising, however, was how he obtained these tickets, as I knew for a fact that he was also chained to his desk only a few blocks away and couldn’t possibly have stood in line that morning all the way across town.
Most surprising, though, was his method for securing these tickets. Instead of the traditional methods: waiting in line, entering the online lottery or donating $ 100, he went on Craigslist and bought tickets from a man who happened to be homeless.
Being the most gracious person I know, my friend never told me how much he paid, but I suspect he paid the man generously for his time.
A little unconventional, I know, but that’s how I finally got to watch a Shakespeare play in Central Park — with my best friend, on a beautifully memorable Saturday evening, the sun gradually setting and transforming day to night as the backdrop of the stage — and it was absolutely magical.
On a side note, you’re allowed to bring food so we bought snacks for the 2hr 45min performance and had a little picnic by the Delacourt Theatre before the show. I recommend bringing your own food unless you want to overpay for hotdogs made from God knows what.

Free tickets to a star studded play under the stars? Only in NYC! I lucked out and scored tickets to 3 plays and loved each one. I was super excited to see two of my fav actors the hilarious John Lithgow and Hamish Linklater. You can grab some drinks and snacks at the onsite café (wine included). And thankfully the weather was great each time I went although you should always be prepared as the show will go on rain or snow!

Au milieu de Central Park dans l’enceinte du Delacorte Theater se déroule depuis plus de soixante ans les festivités du Shakespeare In The Park dès le début du mois de juin.
Le public à l’opportunité de découvrir les nombreuses œuvres composés par le grand écrivain et dramaturge anglais. De nombreuses personnalités du cinéma ont défilé à ce festival, de Natalie Portman à Al Pacino en passant Meryl Streep ou encore Morgan Freeman par exemple. Ces dernières années laissent davantage d’expression à des artistes à la recherché d’une reconnaissance dans le métier.
Les places sont payantes mais après chaques représentations, un nombre limité d’entre elles sont distribués gratuitement pour les plus vaillants à partir de minuit. Il est pas rare de voir des gens dormir sur place pour être assurer d’être dans les tout premiers.