Shakespeare In The Park Tickets To Be Distributed In 5 Boroughs

CENTRAL PARK, NY — The Public Theater's annual Shakespeare in the Park productions are one of the most popular events of the summer in New York City, and the demand for free tickets can leave many theater-loving New Yorkers longing for a seat.

This year, the theater company will partner 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.

The company's production of the comedy "Much Ado About Nothing" will run from May 21 to June 23 and feature an all-black cast with actors such as Grantham Coleman playing Benedick, Jeremie Harris as Claudio, Margaret Odette as Hero and Billy Eugene Jones as Don Pedro. The production will be directed by Tony-award winner Kenny Leon.

"Much Ado About Nothing" will be the first of two free productions this summer at the Delacorte Theater. The comedy will be followed by the political drama "Coriolanus." Details about the second production have not yet been released.