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Loving 'Shakespeare in the Park'

By Matt Windman | amNewYork Theater Critic

June 1, 2007

In 1954, Joe Papp proposed an idea that would forever revolutionize and democratize classical theater in New York City: Free Shakespeare in Central Park.

By 1961, the still-standing open-air Delacorte Theatre was built at the southwest corner of the Great Lawn, alongside the Belvedere Castle. Within its 1,800 seats, at least 80,000 New Yorkers and tourists are treated each year to two classic works.

"What I love most about Shakespeare in the Park is how it's maybe the most radical thing in New York theater and the most conservative at the same moment," said Oskar Eustis, artistic director of the Public Theater.

"We're taking the greatest writer in the English language and doing fantastic productions with the best actors and presenting them for free in the park. It's an incredibly radical idea. But what's conservative is how we always give it to the people for free."

The very first park production starred George C. Scott and James Earl Jones in "The Merchant of Venice." Since then, dozens of well-known film and stage actors have continued to grace the park stage. Last year, for instance, Liev Schreiber played Macbeth and Meryl Streep starred as Mother Courage.

To mark the 40th anniversary of 1967's Summer of Love, this year's double bill features Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" followed by "A Midsummer Night's Dream." There will also be a concert version of the musical "Hair" presented in September.

"This is really an exploration of love in its many forms -- tragic, comic and with 'Hair,' somewhere in between," Eustis said.

With the exception of Lauren Ambrose of TV's "Six Feet Under," the "Romeo and Juliet" cast is made up of young, unknown stage actors. The cast of "Midsummer" has not yet been announced.

"We wanted to create a show with not only a great ensemble, but an ensemble of great young actors," Eustis said. "Not that I don't love Liev or Meryl. But it's also very important we consistently do shows that are not built around a superstar, but are full of wonderful actors."

Previews for "Romeo and Juliet" will begin Tuesday. Believe it or not, it has not been performed in the park for almost 40 years.

"It's hard for me to understand why it hasn't been brought back sooner since it's arguably the perfect play for the park," Eustis said.

"It's romantic and sweeping and has sword fights. And the balcony scene is going to look absolutely gorgeous under the moonlight."