cherrypatter nyc
and great ideas for what to do too!
shakespeare in the park: 12th night, anne hathaway, magic
most of my new york summers, especially when i was younger and childless, were marked by a big long wait on the great lawn for whatever production the public theater was putting on at the delacorte theater. watching a production here is one of the more magical experiences in the city. the setting, in the middle of the park, as the dusk turns to night, lights up the stage like no other. so even if you cannot stand shakespeare (and i have to admit i am not a big fan but sometimes you have to suffer), it doesn’t really matter. the place is what’s important, and then it is just an added bonus if you love the piece. last summer was a huge treat for me when we got to see hair, one of the few musicals for which somehow, inexplicably, i know all the words.
this year, the the public theater’s first production is shakespeare’s 12th night which opened last night starring anne hathaway, and runs through july 12th. the second production, playing from august 11th through august 30th, will be euripedes’ “the bacchae” starring jonathan groff with a “lush choral” score by philip glass. fortunately, in this new computer age, the public theater last year introduced the virtual line so that you don’t actually have to hang out in central park for 8, 10 or even 24 hours (though that also remains an option). the virtual line allows anyone to enter the lottery daily via the comfort of your own home (or iphone). in addition, if you are willing to make a serious contribution to the public theater of $170 a ticket, that will also guarantee you a seat. for some food ideas as to where to get some good grub before the show, see my mini guide below. the delacorte theater, follow path from entrance to central park at 81st street and central park west, manhattan, new york, .