After a two-year closure and a comprehensive $85 million renovation, the Delacorte Theater in Central Park has officially reopened for Free Shakespeare in the Park. This iconic program, managed by The Public Theater and founded by visionary Joe Papp, rests on the powerful belief that culture belongs to everyone. The Delacorte has served as a launchpad for American theater legends, from Meryl Streep to James Earl Jones and Anne Hathaway. The latest renovation is a testament to this legacy, transforming the space into an even more inclusive and welcoming experience.
The project has completely reshaped the historic open-air venue, transforming a 60-year-old structure with a "very temporary feel" into a permanent theater with modern infrastructure. The new exterior nestled into the park features a dynamic facade made from reclaimed redwood sourced from old New York City water towers. Accessibility was also a key focus, resulting in 34 accessible seats—more than double the previous number—a new cross-aisle, and ADA-compliant access points for audience, actors, and members of the creative team alike.
With expanded ticket distributions now reaching all five boroughs—and a daily digital lottery on the TodayTix app—The Public Theater is ensuring its iconic open-air venue is more accessible than ever, sending a clear message to the entire city: the culture belongs to everyone. With this renewed mission, the new season kicks off on August 7th with a star-studded production of "Twelfth Night" directed by Saheem Ali. The cast includes Lupita Nyong'o, Sandra Oh, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Peter Dinklage, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, marking a glorious return for a beloved New York City institution.
0:00 The Meaning of Free Shakespeare in the Park
1:02 Joe Papp's Vision & The Delacorte's History
1:33 Shakespeare for Everyone: A Universal Story
3:05 Delacorte's Famous Alumni
3:37 The Magic of a Central Park Performance
4:41 The Robert Moses Controversy & The Need For Renovation
7:06 The Renovation's Design: Funding & Key Improvements
9:38 The Symbolism of the Reclaimed Redwood Facade
11:13 Reopening & Making Tickets Accessible
12:58 The Star-Studded Cast of "Twelfth Night"
Subscribe to Forbes Life: https://www.youtube.com/c/ForbesLife?sub_confirmation=1
Stay Connected
Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo
Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbesvideo
More From Forbes: http://forbes.com
Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.
