The shows for this summer’s Public Theater free Shakespeare performances in Central Park will be Much Ado About Nothing from June 3 – July 6th and King Lear from July 22 – August 17.

Much Ado About Nothing is directed by three time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brian.  King Lear stars John Lithgow in the role of King Lear and is directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan.

There are three ways you can get tickets.  You can wait in line (often a long line) at the Delecorte Theater on the day of the performance. The tickets are distributed at noon. Each person age 5 and older can get up to two tickets, while supplies last.  There will also be ticket vouchers distributed at certain other locations throughout the season. These alternative distribution sites change daily. See the boroughs ticket distribution schedule.  Or, you can enter the virtual ticket lottery online to try to get tickets. You enter the lottery between midnight and noon on the day of the performance and you’ll receive an email after noon letting you know if you were selected to receive tickets.

See the “Tickets” page at the Shakespeare in the Park website for details.

The performances are at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. Enter at either the 81st Street and Central Park West or 79th Street and Fifth Avenue entrances.

Jonathan Groff explains how to get tickets to see Shakespeare in the Park in this YouTube video: