Call it Shakespeare in all the parks.
The Public Theater’s beloved Mobile Unit is on the road with a free, family-friendly production of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, bringing one of the Bard’s most charming romantic comedies to parks, recreation centers and public spaces across all five boroughs through June 28.
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The 90-minute production, directed by Emma Rosa Went and choreographed by Kelsey Burns, follows the Mobile Unit’s longstanding mission of making theater accessible to New Yorkers wherever they are. Before opening to the general public, the production toured correctional facilities throughout the city, continuing the program’s commitment to reaching audiences who might not otherwise have access to live theater.
For those whose memories of high school Shakespeare are a little rusty, As You Like It centers on Rosalind, disguised as a man, in the Forest of Arden, when she meets the lovesick Orlando, who happens to be searching for Rosalind herself.
“I believe Shakespeare belongs to everyone, and As You Like It—a joyful, wise, radical play about what kind of society it might be possible for us to build together—feels like a meaningful offering for this moment,” West said in a statement. “I am so honored to be part of this program, both as a theatre artist and a citizen of New York, and to meet everybody in all the Ardens across New York City, wherever we find them.”
The production stars Zia Lawrence as Rosalind and Jose Gamo as Orlando, alongside Caitlin Nasema Cassidy as Celia, Peter McNally as Touchstone and Zoë Goslin as Jaques. Original music comes from Ray Duncan, while scenic design is by Yi-Hsuan (Ant) Ma and costumes are by Jennifer Paar.
At a time when Broadway tickets can easily run into the hundreds of dollars, Mobile Unit remains one of New York’s best cultural bargains: professional Shakespeare performed for free in your neighborhood park.
Here is the full list of upcoming performances.
June 9-10: Wolfe’s Pond Park (Staten Island), featuring a special Citizens activation
June 11-12: J. Hood Wright Park (Manhattan
June 13-14: Travers Park (Queens)
June 16: Williamsbridge Oval Park (Bronx)
June 17-18: St. Mary’s Park (Bronx)
June 19-20: New York Public Library & Bryant Park (Manhattan)
June 21: Elmhurst Park (Queens)
June 23: Roy Wilkins Park (Queens)
June 24: Brownsville Recreation Center (Brooklyn)
June 25-26: Sunset Park (Brooklyn), featuring a special Citizens activation
June 27-28: Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
