Now in its 58th year, the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park has announced its 2020 season, which will features the rarely seen historical drama Richard II and a musical adaptation of As You Like It.
Richard II will run from May 19th until June 21st and is being directed by Saheem Ali. Richard II was last produced at the park’s Delacorte Theater once, 30 years ago, directed by Public Theater founder Joseph Papp. The story is one of “lost sovereignty, political intrigue, and psychological complexity,” detailing the life of King Richard II at the end of the Medieval Age, from 1398 to 1400. Written entirely in verse, Richard II relates the King’s fight and power struggle with his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, who will later become Henry IV.
Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It will run from July 14th until August 8th. It was adapted by songwriter, composer, and performer Shaina Taub, who is also an Artist-in-Residence at the Public Theater, along with Laurie Woolery, the director of Public Works. As You Like It is a tale of “faithful friends, feuding families, and lovers in disguise.” The musical adaptation, where the four main characters find refuge in the magical Forest of Arden after being banished from their homes, first premiered in 2017 through the theater’s Public Works program. In addition to the music and lyrics by Taub, who will play the role of Jacques, Woolery will direct the show, with original choreography by Sonya Tayeh. The rest of the professional cast is yet to be announced, but they will be joined by two rotating ensembles of roughly 200 amateur actors.
Members of the Public Theater receive tickets to Shakespeare in the Park; the rest of the free tickets are available through several lotteries that open up tickets every day there is a performance. There are in-person lines at the Delacorte Theater, the Public Theater lobby, and other locations throughout the five boroughs, as well as an online lottery.
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