Shakespeare in the Park 2018 season: Othello & Twelfth Night

[#1Elphie]

The Public Theater has announced their summer season. 

"This summer, Free Shakespeare in the Park will feature the great tragedy OTHELLO (May 29-June 24), directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson and an all-new staging of the critically-acclaimed Public Works musical adaptation of TWELFTH NIGHT (July 17-August 19), conceived by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub, with music and lyrics by Shaina Taub, and directed by The Public’s Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Kwame Kwei-Armah."

Thoughts? 

https://publictheater.org/Programs--Events/Shakespeare-in-the-Park/SITP-Tickets/

[AntV]

Ew, a public works production instead of a normal production. Never saw any, never was interested, but guess I'll see how this one is, I know people have raved about Twelfth Night in particular. Though I hated the amateurish broad Midsummer last year by the former Public Works director.

[little_sally]

With CSC and TFNA both doing Twelfth Night this season, I'm Twelfth Night-ed out.

[TotallyEffed]

little_sally said: "With CSC and TFNA both doing Twelfth Night this season, I'm Twelfth Night-ed out."

Especially after the perfect production with Mark Rylance a few years ago.

[VotePeron]

Shaina Taub's brilliant musical adaptation of Twelfth Night is among one of my favorite experiences I've ever had in a theater, among 200+ shows. It's magnificent. So excited it's returning! You're in for a real treat. 

[adamgreer]

They've gotta have a star lined up for Othello, right?

[Kad]

AntV said: "Ew, a public works production instead of a normal production. Never saw any, never was interested, but guess I'll see how this one is, I know people have raved about Twelfth Night in particular. Though I hated the amateurish broad Midsummer last year by the former Public Works director."

The Public Works productions have been an annual highlight of the summer- wonderfully joyous celebrations of art and community that showcase diverse groups of talented New Yorkers from all 5 boroughs. So don't dismiss it with an uninformed, ignorant "ew."

And that director was Lear DeBessonet, an acclaimed and often brilliant director in her own right, even with a less successful production like that Midsummer to her name.

 

[SomethingPeculiar]

adamgreer said: "They've gotta have a star lined up for Othello, right?"

Surprised they’re doing OTHELLO so close to the Daniel Craig/David Oyelowo production at NYTW, and the upcoming Mark Rylance/Andre Holland**/Globe Theatre revival in London. (And Bartlett Sher’s production at the Met and the short-lived Othello Remix Off Broadway). But maybe they have a great cast in place.

Their musical TWELFTH NIGHT was wonderful. 

 

(EDIT thanks for catching that jbroadway, I was thinking of the National Theatre production with Adrian Lester!)

[JBroadway]

SomethingPeculiar said: "Adrian Lester"

 

(André Holland is playing Othello, not Adrian Lester)

 

[wonkit]

Yawn. I don't have to worry about standing on line this summer.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

SomethingPeculiar said: "adamgreer said: "They've gotta have a star lined up for Othello, right?"

Surprised they’re doing OTHELLOso close tothe Daniel Craig/David Oyelowo production at NYTW,and the upcoming Mark Rylance/Andre Holland**/Globe Theatre revival in London. (And Bartlett Sher’s production at the Met and the short-livedOthello Remix Off Broadway). But maybe they have a great cast in place.

Their musical TWELFTH NIGHT was wonderful.



(EDIT thanks for catching that jbroadway, I was thinking of the National Theatre production with Adrian Lester!)"

 

Mark Rylance’s next role is Iago??? Why does it have to be in London? That’s gonna be great.

[TheatreRocks]

This bothers me. I just finished reading Macbeth and L O V E D   I T. I guess it would be too much of a coincidence if they ended up doing it anyway. Also very irate that I missed Julius Caesar last year, I won the lottery and decided not to go because of the rain. Regret

[shanphelia]

I'm absolutely thrilled that the Twelfth Night musical is returning, and with a longer run! This was one of my favorite shows in 2016 and I've had the songs stuck in my head since then.  Andrew Kober announced on Twitter that he'll be reprising his role as Malvolio, which makes me so happy -- his comedic talent and his voice are perfect for the role.  Looking forward to hearing who else will round out the cast.

[Soozie]

shanphelia said: " Looking forward to hearing who else will round out the cast."

 

A partial answer to your question is here:
http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/free-shakespeare-in-the-park-2018-lineup_83779.html

 

 

[mpkie]

Twelfth Night the musical adaptation was one of the best things I've seen. A "celebration" is a great way to put it. The cast was so good and I'm glad some of them are coming back. Andrew Kober was hilarious.

[#1Elphie]

The cast of Othello was announced. 

Featuring Kevin Rico Angulo (Ensemble), Christopher Cassarino (Ensemble), Peter Jay Fernandez (Duke of Venice), Motell Foster (Roderigo), Andrew Hovelson (Lodovico), Chukwudi Iwuji (Othello), David Kenner (Ensemble), Heather Lind (Desdemona), Tim Nicolai (Ensemble), Flor De Liz Perez (Bianca), Miguel Perez (Brabantio), Lily Santiago(Ensemble), Thomas Schall (Montano), Caroline Siewert (Ensemble), Corey Stoll (Iago), Babak Tafti (Cassio), Allen Tedder (Ensemble), Peter Van Wagner (Gratiano), and Alison Wright (Emilia). 

[Pandarus1]

Looks like a solid cast of professionals (and I'm excited to see Corey Stoll as Iago particularly). It's definitely not a flashy season this year though (particularly considering that the second play is essentially a "rerun". 

I saw Henry IV is being staged outdoors in L.A. this summer, directed by Daniel Sullivan, starring Tom Hanks and Hammish Linklater. Seems like the type of production NYC used to get. 

[thirtythirtyninety]

Alison Wright as Emilia is very exciting, though!