Tomorrow At SummerStage: Premiere Of 30 FOR 30: ONCE UPON A TIME IN QUEENS

Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage will premiere the first two episodes of the new docuseries 30 For 30: Once Upon A Time in Queens, presented by ESPN Films and Rooftop Films, this Wednesday, August 25 in Central Park (Doors at 6:00pm).

Ahead of this special premiere, there will be a pre-screening conversation, moderated by ESPN's own Peter Rosenberg featuring Director Nick Davis with the legendary Mookie Wilson ('86 Mets outfielder) and Roger McDowell ('86 Mets pitcher) from the '86 Mets championship team. SummerStage now requires proof of full vaccination for all guests, with masks required upon entry and encouraged for the duration of the performance.

The first 750 attendees will receive a free popcorn or hot dog, plus a free soda or water. All attendees will receive free Lay's potato chips, courtesy of ESPN 30 for 30 and Rooftop Films. Additional food and beverage options will be available for purchase on-site.

ESPN's much-anticipated new series tells the story of one of the most wild and fascinating baseball teams of all time. A team that as much as any in memory, captured the spirit and the ethos of the time and city in which they played. Ultimately, the 1986 Mets were an unforgettable story, one told in colorful, entertaining, and unvarnished fashion in the four-part 30 for 30 documentary series from ESPN Films, Once Upon a Time in Queens.

The series traces the origins of the 1986 team back to the late 1970s, when the Mets were a listless, struggling franchise - and New York City was nearly bankrupt. But as the grime and hopelessness that defined the city gave way to the high-flying, yuppie-and-cocaine infused, "greed is good" rise of the 1980s, the Mets emerged, too. And the transformations - of the city, and the ballclub - ran in parallel paths in every which way imaginable. The city may have had a glamorous sheen, but dirt and danger were still everywhere. The Mets may have been full of swagger and star power, but demons and disaster always loomed.

The Mets won 108 regular-season games in 1986, running away with the National League East, and doing it brashly and unapologetically. The Mets got into four different fights during the season and drew the ire of opponents with their collective arrogance and attitude. New York loved it all - the team was an embodiment of a city that seemed addicted to excess, and the Mets captured the hearts of millions in singular fashion. And that was all before they embarked on a magical postseason journey that still endures as one of the most memorable Octobers the game has ever seen.

35 years later, it all feels like a fairy tale - a fun heist movie about a charismatic band of lovable scoundrels who came together for one big score. But beyond the glory, there was so much more. For New York City, race problems, crime problems, and the drug war, along with the looming menace of AIDS, were all bubbling beneath the surface. In different ways, the team would be shadowed by its time and tensions, and never again win another title. Their story of their triumph may have been magical, but the tale of their fall was inevitable.

In response to the increasing spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage recently announced that all guests will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter shows at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Those who are not able to be vaccinated because of a disability will be provided reasonable accommodation and will be required to wear masks at all times. Children under the age of 12 who are not able to receive the vaccination may accompany their fully vaccinated parent or guardian. All children between the ages of 2 and 12 will be asked to wear masks at all times if they are physically able. Venue capacity may be limited at staff discretion. i??

SummerStage will accept proof of final Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna or WHO-approved vaccination using the CLEAR app, the NYS Excelsior Pass, NYC Covid Safe app, a physical/photo of CDC vaccination card, or EU digital pass, accompanied by a government-issued photo identification. Guests must show that their final dose of vaccine was received at least 14 days prior to the show date. In addition, masks are required upon entry to the venue and strongly encouraged for all guests for the duration of the performance, as is physical distance.

Learn more about acceptable documentation, mask guidelines, and other safety protocols here or contact boxoffice@summerstage.org with any questions.

A full list of upcoming SummerStage shows and a digital brochure is available now at SummerStage.org.