Delacorte Theater

Shakespeare in Central Park will feature two comedies in rotating repertory for summer 2010: “The Merchant of Venice” and “The Winter's Tale.” As always, the productions will feature stars from live theater and film.

Oscar winner Al Pacino will star as Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice.” Pacino played the same role in the 2004 film version. Jesse L. Martin, Lily Rabe, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Max Wright will appear in both productions, although Pacino will appear only in “The Merchant of Venice.” The eight weeks of free theater begin with previews on June 9 and run through Aug. 1. The Joseph Papp Public Theater last had rotating repertory in 1991.  

Click here for a schedule of the Public Theater's performances, including those this summer in the open-air Delacorte Theater, located in the southwest corner of the Great Lawn in Central Park.

“This is a major step for the Public (Theater),” said artistic director Oskar Eustis. “Continuity of work is the key to great theater of all kinds; this is especially true for Shakespeare. The particular delights of repertory for an audience are meaningful; the depth of artistic work it allows for actors is inimitable.”

The legendary Joe Papp began the annual outdoor productions in 1957. The productions moved to the Delacorte Theater in 1962.

Patrons can get two free tickets each at 1 p.m. on the day of the performance on a first-come, first-served basis. Lines for free tickets form at dawn. Click here for more information on tickets. However, Public Theater Partners can buy tickets in advance. Levels of support begin at $350. Partners are listed in the playbill unless they request anonymity. At the $350 level, a supporter gets two reserved seats, which can be exchanged in person or by mail up to 72 hours in advance. To join the Public Theater Partners Program call (212) 539-8734 or click here for a form that can be mailed  in or faxed to (212) 539-8753.

Michael Greif, stage director for the Broadway hit “Rent,” will direct “The Winter's Tale.” Daniel Sullivan, nominated for a Tony Award for directing “Rabbit Hole” and a favorite Shakespeare in the Park director, will direct “The Merchant of Venice.” Sullivan directed “A Midsummer Night's Dream” in summer 2007 and directed Anne Hathaway ( “Princess Diaries,” “The Devil Wears Prada”) in “Twelfth Night” in the summer of 2009.  

- by Ivonne Rovira, New York Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Ivonne Rovira

A graduate of the prestigious Columbia University School of Journalism in New York City, Ivonne Rovira worked as a reporter for the Miami News, The Miami Herald and The Associated Press. She has written articles for The National Catholic Reporter and The Courier-Journal. For more than 15 years, Ivonne wrote and edited articles aimed at middle-school children.