Shakespeare in the Park revives Romeo and Juliet with a borderland twist
Shakespeare in the Park returns this Friday with Romeo and Juliet at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater. The production marks the first time in nearly 20 years that the classic tragedy has been staged in Central Park. Tickets are free, but audiences must enter a lottery to secure them. The Delacorte Theater reopened in 2025 after a two-year upgrade. Improvements include accessible seating, modern bathrooms, larger dressing rooms, and climate control. The venue now offers better comfort for both performers and visitors.
Romeo and Juliet will run until June 28, followed by The Winter’s Tale from July 25 to August 23. Director Saheem Ali has set this version of Romeo and Juliet at the United States-Mexico border. He selected the location to highlight the play’s themes of division and conflict.
Free tickets are distributed through an online lottery, with each winner allowed two tickets while supplies last. A Public Theater Patron ID is required to enter. For those without internet access, limited ticket vouchers are available at The Public Theater on Lafayette Street and at select locations across all five boroughs.
In-person ticket lines open daily at noon for scheduled performances. Separate queues will serve the general public, seniors, and people with disabilities. The production brings a fresh take on a timeless story while making theatre more accessible to New Yorkers. With a modern setting and a newly upgraded venue, this season of Shakespeare in the Park aims to draw large crowds. Performances begin this Friday and continue through late August.
