On The Scene: Free Shakespeare In The Park continues this summer with ‘Hamlet’
This is the 61st year of Free Shakespeare In The Park.
Jul 19, 2023, 11:30 AM
•
Updated 306 days ago
Share:
More Stories
2:47
On The Scene: ‘The Shark Is Broken,’ inspired by the making of ‘Jaws,’ on Broadway
236ds ago2:26
On The Scene: Danny DeVito to star with daughter Lucy in Broadway’s ‘I Need That’
243ds ago2:19
On The Scene: How to save on Broadway tickets
250ds ago2:09
On The Scene: Theater shows coming to Broadway this season
257ds ago2:27
On The Scene: ‘Here Lies Love’ musical makes history as 1st-ever all Filipino cast to perform on Broadway
264ds ago2:06
On The Scene: A preview of Broadway shows coming out this fall
271ds ago2:47
On The Scene: ‘The Shark Is Broken,’ inspired by the making of ‘Jaws,’ on Broadway
236ds ago2:26
On The Scene: Danny DeVito to star with daughter Lucy in Broadway’s ‘I Need That’
243ds ago2:19
On The Scene: How to save on Broadway tickets
250ds ago2:09
On The Scene: Theater shows coming to Broadway this season
257ds ago2:27
On The Scene: ‘Here Lies Love’ musical makes history as 1st-ever all Filipino cast to perform on Broadway
264ds ago2:06
On The Scene: A preview of Broadway shows coming out this fall
271ds agoA theater tradition continues this summer in Central Park. The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare In The Park series is presenting "Hamlet."
While the production holds true to the traditional text, the play is set in 2021 Atlanta. "Hamlet" is directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, whose career includes many years as an Atlanta-based creative. It stars Ato Blankson-Wood ("Slave Play") in the title role and veteran Shakespearean actor John Douglas Thompson as Hamlet's uncle-turned-stepfather, Claudius.
"The values of the play are all the same. You're just exploring another culture," says Thompson of this production as an African American interpretation of the play. "And I think that's the strength of these plays, in that you can explore different cultures because the plays are so strong in their ideals."
This is the 61st year of Free Shakespeare In The Park. However, its home, the Delacorte Theater, will undergo renovations following this season and will not host performances next year. Alternate locations are being considered, according to The Public Theater.
There are numerous ways and locations to obtain free tickets to performances. Ticket distribution policies can be found here.
