Free Shakespeare in the Park is officially underway. The Public Theater's annual program opened Hamlet at Central Park's Delacorte Theater June 10, and performances are scheduled to continue through August 6. Tony nominee Ato Blankson-Wood (Slave Play) stars in the title role with Tony-winning director Kenny Leon at the helm. Get a first look at the production with newly released production shots below.
Free tickets are distributed in a variety of ways across all five boroughs. The Public shared details about the program on social media.
Joining Blankson-Wood are Brandon Gill as Guildenstern, Tyrone Mitchell Henderson as Osric/Priest, Greg Hildreth as Gravedigger, Colby Lewis as First Player, Warner Miller as Horatio, Daniel Pearce as Polonius, Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia, Nick Rehberger as Laertes, John Douglas Thompson as Claudius, Lorraine Toussaint as Gertrude, and Mitchell Winter as Rosencrantz.
The ensemble comprises Mikhail Calliste, Safiya Kaija Harris, Lauren Hayes, LaWanda Hopkins, Jaylon Jamal, TrÍ Lê, Cornelius McMoyler, Laughton Royce, Lance Alexander Smith, and Lark White. Rounding out the company as understudies are Liam Craig, Myxolydia Tyler, William Oliver Watkins, and Bryce Michael Wood.
Take a look at the production:
Nick Rehberger, Ato Blankson-Wood, and the company of Hamlet
Lorraine Toussaint, Nick Rehberger, and John Douglas Thompson in Hamlet
Company of Hamlet
Ato Blankson-Wood, Mitchell Winter, and Brandon Gill in Hamlet
Warner Miller and Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
Greg Hildreth and Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
Ato Blankson-Wood and Solea Pfeiffer in Hamlet
Lorraine Toussaint and John Douglas Thompson in Hamlet
Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
John Douglas Thompson, Solea Pfeiffer, Nick Rehberger, and Laughton Royce in Hamlet
Daniel Pearce and Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
Ato Blankson-Wood in Hamlet
Company of Hamlet
The outdoor production features choreography by Camille A. Brown, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Jessica Jahn, lighting design by Allen Lee Hughes, sound design by Justin Ellington, video design by Jeff Sugg, music composition by Jason Michael Webb, and hair, wig, and makeup design by Earon Chew Nealey. Karyn Meek serves as production stage manager.
Since 1962, over six million people have enjoyed more than 150 free productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals in The Public’s home in Central Park.
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