The play’s the thing this summer in New York City. That’s because one of the city’s most revered cultural traditions, the free Shakespeare plays in Central Park, will be complemented by some illustrious guests from across the Atlantic – and that’s in addition to some other, slightly more under-the-radar productions that you’ll find only here in New York. So if you’ve got a hankering to hear some iambic pentameter delivered up-close and in-person, there isn’t a better time to visit New York City than summer 2011.
The big news this year, as most theater mavens already know, is the arrival of England’s Royal Shakespeare Company, who are headed to New York under the auspices of Lincoln Center for an unprecedented six-week residency at the Park Avenue Armory (643 Park Avenue, between 66th and 67th Streets). The theater is located in the Upper East side, a popular neighborhood with cozy and tasteful accomodations. Arguably the most versatile and accomplished Shakespeare performers in the world, the legendary ensemble will undertake five of Shakespeare’s most popular plays in July and August, including Romeo and Juliet and King Lear, all in a full-size recreation of the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon theater inside the Armory. Tickets for this extravaganza are expected to go fast; visit the Lincoln Center website for purchases and more information.
Of course, if Elizabethan drama al fresco is more your style, there’s always Shakespeare in the Park – which is also free, provided you don’t mind standing in line for tickets. Now in its 57th year, this beloved New York institution returns in 2011 with Measure for Measure and All’s Well That Ends Well, which will rotate at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater for eight weeks beginning June 6th. (You can get to the Delacorte from the Upper West Side at 81st Street and Central Park West or from the Upper East Side at 79th Street and Fifth Avenue.)
Meanwhile, if Central Park doesn’t satisfy your yen for Shakespeare in a sylvan setting, New York Classical Theatre takes the outdoor concept a step further with its bold concept for Henry V. In this production, the audience will travel with King Henry and his army from “England” (Castle Clinton/ Battery Park) across the “English Channel” (New York Harbor) by boat all the way to “France” (Governors Island), where the Battle of Agincourt will unfold on a parade ground with a cast of over 50. Sounds just crazy enough to be a must-see—and, like Shakespeare in the Park, it won’t set you back a single ducat. Open rehearsals begin June 18, with actual performance times and dates TBD; check the Classical Theatre website for latest information.
Last but not least, don’t forget the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, which presents the Bard right on the bank of the Hudson River, only an hour north of New York City, every summer. This year’s offerings include Hamlet and The Comedy of Errors; visit the Festival site for information on getting there by car, train, or the extremely affordable “Bard Bus.”
Interested in catching some Shakespeare in New York City this summer? Regardless of what plays you opt for, New York Habitat has apartment rentals all over town that will suit your needs.
– This furnished 1-bedroom rental apartment in the Upper West Side of New York (NY-14707) is located at East 80th Street and Park Avenue, just north of the Armory (see above). Hardwood floors, high ceilings, a decorative fireplace, and a private garden make this an exceptionally comfortable place to stay while you’re in New York.
– For a very different slice of Manhattan living, consider this furnished 2-bedroom New York rental (NY-14438) in a prewar walkup on the Lower East Side. Surrounded by restaurants, bars, clubs, boutiques, and art galleries, it’s a good bet for anyone looking for the full New York nightlife experience.
– For handy access to Central Park, meanwhile, it’s hard to get more convenient than this furnished studio rental (NY-14832) at 103rd Street at Central Park West. Inside you’ll find two double beds, new wood floors, and plenty of natural light.
Do you have a favorite memory of seeing Shakespeare in New York that you’d like to recount for New York Habitat readers? Leave your recollections below.
I am English and at school, I was forced to study Shakesphere so have never seen one of his plays before as I never enjoyed reading his work but recently on a trip to NYC, I was taken along by a friend to see a play. I must see it was spectacular and throughly enjoyable and all of my previous sceptisicism was completely unfounded as I loved the show. I throughly recommend!
Just cause it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s not super hepufll.