2018 Shakespeare in the Park

[Actorman88]

Posted: 5/29/18 at 11:49am

Performances of Othello begin this week. Who's heading to the park?

[TheatreRocks]

Posted: 5/29/18 at 12:13pm

I went in the todaytix lottery. Fingers crossed.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 5/29/18 at 12:36pm

I just won tickets to tonight’s first performance.  

Updated On: 5/29/18 at 12:36 PM

[TheatreRocks]

Posted: 5/29/18 at 12:56pm

BuddyStarr said: "I just won tickets to tonioght’s First performance."

luckyyyy i took the L

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 5/29/18 at 1:05pm

I did the digital lottery this morning and luckily looked at my phone and saw that I had 30 minutes to claim the tickets otherwise it says that it goes back into the lottery.  Have to pick up between 5 and 7:30 with picture ID otherwise it’s given to the standby line.

[macnyc]

Posted: 5/29/18 at 1:07pm

You guys are smart to apply for early previews. Those lotteries are typically easier to win, because the early bird gets the worm! 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/29/18 at 1:12pm

I won the in-person lottery at the Public this afternoon. Will report back tonight or tomorrow morning! Santiago-Hudson is an excellent director, and they have two great actors leading this great play. So my hopes are high.

I was a little bit concerned to see that it's going to be in period dress. I personally tend to prefer modern-dress productions of Shakespeare. I find that directors often don't know what to do with a period-specific settings in Shakespeare, so it ends up feeling kind of unimaginative or disconnected. Whereas putting a production in modern dress opens up more doors for creativity and innovation. That's just my personal opinion/experience. But Santiago-Hudson is a smart director. With him at the helm, I'm not as worried. 

[atuomala]

Posted: 5/29/18 at 3:40pm

Entered the lottery because I figured I’d have a better chance getting tickets for the first preview, but, alas, no dice (as is the typical case with me when it comes to lotteries). But, I wound up winning the Angels in America lottery an hour later for tomorrow’s performance so that worked out.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 5/29/18 at 11:52pm

Running time for tonight’s performance? Thanks!

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/30/18 at 1:07am

dshnookie said: "Running time for tonight’s performance? Thanks!"

The show got out around 11:10 tonight. But it didn’t start until 8:10. So 3 hours total plus the hold. 1 intermission.

Loved the show. Will say more later.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 5/30/18 at 7:52am

Very enjoyable show. First night with perfect weather.  The cast is great with some notable standouts.  This is  Iago’s show.  Corey Stoll was fantastic, he really outshined everyone, even unfortunately Chukwudi Twuji as Othello, who to me seems rather weak and did not come off as a powerful leader but rather a tool used by Iago and easily swayed to believe everything Iago tells him.  I wanted him to be more powerful and strong. The rest of the cast is good with Batak Tafti as a fine Cassio.  

There were two cameo’s by a raccoon running across both the front and back of the stage during the first and second half.

Shakespeare is meant to be heard and not read which most of have to do in school.  This production is a must see for Corey Stoll’s performance alone.  Every seat is great.  And while we didn’t do it, you can bring in outside food and eat and drink in the theatre however no glass containers are allowed and they do do a bag check before you go in and during the intermission.  Additionally, if you have a JefBlue credit card you.can get a free seat cushion for the chairs.

it was a great first performance.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/30/18 at 10:29am

I agree with a lot of what BuddyStarr said.

In the program notes, they talk about how Santiago-Hudson wanted to stay away from letting the focus be on Iago rather than Othello. He wanted to "do right" by Othello by letting him be the center of attention. I see how Santiago-Hudson's take on the material was meant to do that, but like BuddyStar says, Corey Stoll's performance is just too good to let that happen. I don't agree that Iwuji's performance is weak. I think he is very good in the role actually. But Stoll is simply phenomenal. His Iago is warm and strangely chipper. You never question for a moment why everyone falls for his lies, because he's so earnest and charming. And when the devil beneath the surface comes out, it's all the more disturbing. 

Heather Lind was a wonderful Desdemona, and I thought she and Iwuji had great chemistry, which fueled to the tragedy even more. Overall this production felt so emotionally rich. I gasped, and teared up several times, even though I know the play very well already. There is always an awareness in this production of the human story - of how everyone feels to be in this awful situation, and how they react to the people around them. And I imagine that emotional richness will only deepen as the run progresses. 

 

[kmissa]

Posted: 5/31/18 at 1:56pm

Even though I lost the lottery today, they are calling and offering Lottery Tickets so if you're interested for today be on the lookout. I don't answer unknown numbers, but I called from my work phone for a workaround. Anyone want my tickets? If so, let me know (PM) pick up name and I'll put your name down for you to claim.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 5/31/18 at 1:58pm

kmissa said: "Even though I lost the lottery today, they are calling and offering Lottery Tickets so if you're interested for today be on the lookout. I don't answer unknown numbers, but I called from my work phone for a workaround. Anyone want my tickets? If so, let me know (PM) pick up name and I'll put your name down for you to claim."

They are asking for an ID to pick up the tickets, so unless you can switch your name with their name, the tickets will be held in your name.  If they go unclaimed they go to the people waiting in line at the theatre.

[kmissa]

Posted: 5/31/18 at 2:04pm

I was going to change the name, but I just won't claim them and let them go to someone else.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 5/31/18 at 7:06pm

I won the lottery for tonight and just picked up my tickets. At 7:00 pm there is just one person in the standby line. If you’re nearby and want to see the show tonight, I’d say your chances to get in are excellent.

[macnyc]

Posted: 6/3/18 at 9:42am

I won the TodayTix lotto for yesterday's show. Unfortunately, the forecast for rain proved accurate. We made it through Act 1 with no problems. After the intermission, Act 2 started in a drizzle, which soon turned into a downpour. The actors were cleared from the stage, and we waited for the rain to stop and the stage to be swept of water. So after a hold of about 35 or 40 minutes, Act 2 started up again, and....more rain! By that time we were drenched and tired, so we bailed.

It was a shame because I was really enjoying the show and we had terrific seats in Row D center.

As others have stated, Corey Stoll is a force of nature. He's sly, charming, cunning, and also very funny as Iago. It's a large performance. Chukwudi Iwuji I felt is very good as Othello, but he's more low-key. I did wonder how he could fall for Iago's b.s. But I was willing to suspend my disbelief for that. The actor looked so familiar to me, and after looking at the program, I realized I had seen him recently in The Low Road at the Public.

I thought Heather Lind made a great Desdemona, and I agree they had great chemistry. The set was simple but beautiful, and the staging seemed effective.

I am disappointed I didn't get to see Act 2. Under normal circumstances, I would try to get back there for it. But it's a real problem having NO downtown service from the 81st Street subway stop. (That might be just on weekends.) It was hard to get a cab in the rain, and the bus there on Central Park West doesn't run too often. We ended up walking to Columbus and taking the 7 bus downtown. That look a long time, but at least we were dry! 

I would recommend this production! Just pick a nicer evening than I did.

Updated On: 6/3/18 at 09:42 AM

[atuomala]

Posted: 6/3/18 at 3:39pm

macnyc said: "I won the TodayTix lotto for yesterday's show. Unfortunately, the forecast for rain proved accurate. We made it through Act 1 with no problems. After the intermission, Act 2 started in a drizzle, which soon turned into a downpour. The actors were cleared from the stage, and we waited for the rain to stop and the stage to be swept of water. So after a hold of about 35 or 40 minutes, Act 2 started up again, and....more rain! By that time we were drenched and tired, so we bailed.

It was a shame because I was really enjoying the show and we had terrific seats in Row D center.

As others have stated, Corey Stoll is a force of nature. He's sly, charming, cunning, and also very funny as Iago. It's a large performance. Chukwudi Iwuji I felt is very good as Othello, but he's more low-key. I did wonder how he could fall for Iago's b.s. But I was willing to suspend my disbelief for that. The actor looked so familiar to me, and after looking at the program, I realized I had seen him recently in The Low Road at the Public.

I thought Heather Lind made a great Desdemona, and I agree they had great chemistry. The set was simple but beautiful, and the staging seemed effective.

I am disappointed I didn't get to see Act 2. Under normal circumstances, I would try to get back there for it. But it's a real problem having NO downtown service from the 81st Street subway stop. (That might be just on weekends.) It was hard to get a cab in the rain, and the bus there on Central Park South doesn't run too often. We ended up walking to Columbus and taking the 7 bus downtown. That look a long time, but at least we were dry!

I would recommend this production! Just pick a nicer evening than I did."

 

I won the lotto for last night’s performance as well and, after the second stop, they managed to perform the show all the way to the end at 12:01am with literally no minute to spare. Less than half the house was still there until the end.

[macnyc]

Posted: 6/3/18 at 7:11pm

Wow, glad to hear that! Those performers are amazing. Did you enjoy the show?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 6/3/18 at 7:47pm

Caught it this past week, luckily during beautiful weather.

It’s a magnificent production, and I thought nearly perfect in ever way. It’s FLIES by, considering it’s 2:55 length. I can’t recommend this enough. It’s by far the best production of a tragedy that the Park has done in years. Between this and Shaina Taub’s simply brilliant Twelfth Night, I am elated for the people who get to the Park this summer!

But yeah make sure to check the weather. I’ve been there in the rain before and...not fun. At all.

[raddersons]

Posted: 6/5/18 at 3:01pm

Any word on the standby line over the weekend? I heard they sold out today for the first time since they opened.

[The Josh]

Posted: 6/6/18 at 12:13am

I’m going tomorrow morning... how crazy has the line been? How early should I get there?

[atuomala]

Posted: 6/6/18 at 1:34am

Saw the show for the second time with week (first time I won the lotto, second time I did the standby line). They don’t appear to be playing to a 100% full house. Both shows, there were still a great deal of empty seats (20+) regardless of weather. For standby, I showed up at 5:30pm and was among the first 20 people. At 7:30pm, the line had become quite long but, when the show started, there were STILL empty seats in the house which means all standby people received tickets.

[NJGUY]

Posted: 6/8/18 at 11:11am

Saw the show last night-Thursday, June 7th. If you like your Shakespeare served up, without gimmicks or pretense, Ruben Santiago-Hudson has mounted a sterling production of this play, (that has not graced The Delacorte since 1991). Could find quibbles here and there, yet the three hours whiz by and the production values are simple and elegant, and just top-notch. Corey Stoll gives a truly unforgettable performance as Iago, that when compared to the others (who are mostly all fabulous), he shines. This is now one of my all-time favorite productions of a Shakespeare play done at The Delacorte. Two more weeks---RUN!!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/9/18 at 9:54am

I saw this last night, and WOW. This is a truly stellar production in every single way. It is elegant, simple, beautiful, and absolutely riveting. This some of the finest acting I have ever seen out of the Shakespeare plays I have seen. Chukwudi Iwuji's Othello is delivering a force of nature. Heather Lind's Desdemona was flawless. Her delivery of The Willow Song in Act IV gave me serious chills. She gently sang the song with tears glimmering in her eyes as the wind rustled the tree branches, the breeze billowed the curtains in the arches, and the stunning instrumental music played. It was one of those amazing moments that you only can only experience at a Shakespeare in the Park production. I can not recommend this highly enough. Get to the Delacorte before this closes!