Shakespeare in the Park — Season Opening

The Public Theater opened its 2026 Free Shakespeare in the Park season on Friday, May 22, with the first preview of “Romeo & Juliet” at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The production runs through June 28 and marks the return of one of New York’s signature summer rituals to the revitalized open-air venue. Time Out New York listed the start of the season among the city’s top events for the week of May 18-24. The Public says more than six million people have attended over 160 free productions at the Delacorte since the program began. The 2026 lineup is part of its broader “Shakespeare for the City” season, which runs through Sept. 8 and also includes “The Winter’s Tale,” Mobile Unit performances and Monday-night civic programming. ### When does the season actually start, and what is on first? (timeout.com) “Romeo & Juliet” began performances on May 22 and is scheduled to run through Sunday, June 28, according to The Public Theater. The official press opening is set for Thursday, June 11. The production has a listed runtime of three hours, including one intermission. (publictheater.org) Saheem Ali, The Public’s associate artistic director and resident director, is directing the staging. The Public says this is the first time in nearly 20 years that “Romeo & Juliet” has returned to the Delacorte. ### What is different about this “Romeo & Juliet”? The Public Theater says the production is set in a border town where “ideology and simmering violence spills into the streets.” In this version, the larger world of the play unfolds in English, while Romeo and Juliet speak to each other in Spanish. (publictheater.org) Spanish translations are by Alfredo Michel Modenessi, and choreography is by Mayte Natalio. Saheem Ali said in the company’s casting announcement that the play is “equally a cautionary tale about the devastating consequences of division within a society.” He said he wanted to put “Spanish language at the heart of the lovers’ story.” ### Who is in the cast? Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens plays Juliet and Daniel Bravo Hernández plays Romeo, The Public Theater said. (publictheater.org) The cast also includes LaChanze, Deirdre O’Connell, Francis Jue, Glenn Fleshler, Ariyan Kassam, Caleb Joshua Eberhardt, Jessica Pimentel and Jason Manuel Olazábal. Time Out described the production as the season’s “highly anticipated” opener and said the reopening weekend will include family-focused events tied to the Delacorte’s return. (publictheater.org) ### How do people get in if the show is free? The Public Theater says nonmembers can get free day-of tickets through five access points, including in-person distribution and a digital lottery run by TodayTix. (publictheater.org) A limited number of same-day vouchers are also being distributed at locations across the five boroughs beginning at noon, then redeemed at the Delacorte for tickets. (timeout.com) Citizens, the presenting partner, says 13 bank branches are also participating in voucher distribution during the season. The Public’s website says a Patron ID is required for in-person ticket pickup. ### What else is happening around the performances? The Public Theater said Monday evenings at the Delacorte will host the revived Public Forum series instead of Shakespeare performances. (publictheater.org) The series will feature conversations and performances tied to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with participants including Amy Sherald, Kwame Anthony Appiah and Michael Sandel. (citizensbank.com) Select Fridays this summer will also include “Summer Friday” open houses from noon to 4 p.m. and evening picnics from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to The Public’s Free Shakespeare page. ### What comes after “Romeo & Juliet”? “The Winter’s Tale” is scheduled to run at the Delacorte from July 25 through Aug. 23, The Public Theater says. The broader “Shakespeare for the City” season continues through Sept. 8, and Mobile Unit performances of “As You Like It” are scheduled for June 4 through June 28. (publictheater.org) (publictheater.org)