Shakespeare in the Park Season Opening

The Public Theater began performances of “Romeo & Juliet” on Friday, May 22, reopening the Delacorte Theater in Central Park for the 2026 season of Free Shakespeare in the Park. The production, directed by Saheem Ali, runs through June 28 and serves as the first Delacorte installment in the theater’s broader “Shakespeare for the City” summer program. The Public says all performances and related events in the initiative are free. The season runs from May 22 through Sept. 8 and extends beyond Central Park to programs across the five boroughs. ### When did the season actually start? Friday, May 22, was the first preview of “Romeo & Juliet” at the Delacorte, according to The Public Theater and Time Out New York. The production marks the return of Shakespeare’s tragedy to the Delacorte for the first time in nearly 20 years, Time Out reported, while The Public said it is only the third time the play has been presented there in the festival’s history. (publictheater.org) Sunday, June 11, is the scheduled press opening for “Romeo & Juliet,” The Public said in its production release. Regular performances continue through Sunday, June 28. ### What is onstage at the Delacorte right now? Saheem Ali is directing “Romeo & Juliet,” with Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens as Juliet and Daniel Bravo Hernández as Romeo, according to The Public Theater’s casting materials. (publictheater.org) The cast also includes LaChanze, Deirdre O’Connell, Francis Jue, Okieriete Onaodowan, Glenn Fleshler and Jessica Pimentel. (publictheater.org) Time Out reported that the production uses English for the world around the Montagues and Capulets, while Romeo and Juliet speak Spanish in their private scenes. The Public Theater said Alfredo Michel Modenessi provided the Spanish translations and Mayte Natalio is credited with choreography. (publictheater.org) ### How big is the broader summer program? The Public Theater says “Shakespeare for the City” runs from May 22 to Sept. 8 and includes four main components: “Romeo & Juliet” at the Delacorte, a Mobile Unit tour of “As You Like It,” “The Winter’s Tale” at the Delacorte, and Public Works’ “Public Record.” Monday evenings at the Delacorte will also host the revived Public Forum series, which The Public describes as blending performance, conversation and culture. (timeout.com) The Public says Free Shakespeare in the Park has drawn more than six million people to more than 160 productions since the program began. The organization traces the initiative to founder Joseph Papp and says the Delacorte remains central to its free-access model. ### How do free tickets work this year? The Public Theater says tickets are available through multiple in-person distribution points, borough distributions and a digital lottery run by TodayTix. (publictheater.org) A May 14 release from the theater said free tickets would be available at the Delacorte Theater and The Public Theater, through borough distributions with presenting partner Citizens, and through the TodayTix lottery. (publictheater.org) The “Romeo & Juliet” production page also lists a borough voucher system and a June 23 ticket lottery at Nordstrom NYC’s flagship store. The Public directs audiences to its website for the full distribution schedule and ticket details. ### What else is coming after “Romeo & Juliet”? Saturday, May 30, is the date of The Public’s summer kickoff celebration at the Delacorte, with giveaways, concessions and a meet-and-greet with the theater mascot, Romeo the Raccoon, according to the theater’s season page. (publictheater.org) The Public also lists open houses and “Summer Fridays” on select dates, including June 5 and June 19, with afternoon tours and evening picnics. (publictheater.org) June 4 is the start of the Mobile Unit’s free five-borough tour of “As You Like It,” directed by Emma Rosa Went, and July 25 is the first performance date listed for “The Winter’s Tale” at the Delacorte. The Public says “The Winter’s Tale” will run through Aug. 23, keeping the Delacorte season active deep into the summer before the broader festival concludes on Sept. 8. (publictheater.org)