Second Shakespeare In The Park Production To Begin Run Tuesday

CENTRAL PARK, NY — The second production of the Public Theater's annual Shakespeare in the Park series is set to debut on Tuesday, July 16.

The Public Theater's production of Shakespeare's tragedy "Coriolanus" will run at the Delacorte Theater through Aug. 11. The play, based on the life of Roman general Caius Marcius Coriolanus, is one of the last tragedies that Shakespeare is beleived to have written.

This summer's production of "Coriolanus" is the first time the play will be shown in Central Park since 1979, the Public Theater announced. The cast features actors such as Jonathan Cake (Caius Martius Coriolanus), Louis Cancelmi (Tullus Aufidius), Chris Ghaffari (Titus Lartius), Enid Graham (Junius Brutus) and Jonathan Hadary (Sicinius Velutus). Tony winner Daniel Sullivan will direct the production.

The plot of "Coriolanus" follows the unraveling of Rome after a general is voted into power by people in search of change. Sullivan's direction of the play set it in modern times and is described by the Public Theater as a "modern-day version of this riveting epic of democracy and demagoguery."

The Public Theater drew the ire of right-wing media and political figures for adapting Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar" to modern times. The production featured a character with the likeness of Donald Trump in the role of Caesar, who is assassinated during the play.

This summer, the Public Theater is partnering with organizations in all five New York City boroughs to distribute tickets within the boroughs, opening up the shows to New Yorkers from all around the city, the Public Theater announced. Tickets for almost every Shakespeare in the Park show will be made available at places such as libraries, recreation centers, museums and other community partners, the theater company said.

Ticket vouchers will be distributed at borough centers on certain days beginning at noon and ending at 2 p.m. or whenever all vouchers have been claimed. Vouchers can be redeemed for tickets at the Delacorte Theater Box Office in Central Park between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and are only valid on the day they were distributed.

To claim tickets at one of the borough-based centers, theatergoers will need to first sign up for a Public Theater Patron ID.