Last night, Central Park’s landmark Delacorte Theater reopened after a two-year renovation, bringing the Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park program back to eager audiences across the five boroughs.
The Delacorte has long been a beacon for actors—just look at how many of your Instagram friends have liked that iconic photo of Meryl Streep rehearsing Taming of the Shrew there in 1978. But the theater had seen better days: leaky bleachers, almost no air conditioning, accessibility challenges, outdated equipment, and the constant threat of raccoons meant an upgrade was overdue.
Architect Stephen Chu tackled all these issues, designing a new facade that appears to rise naturally from the ground. He also came up with a clever solution to a request from the Public’s longtime artistic director, Oskar Eustis, who wanted redwood for the new theater. Since cutting down non-native redwoods is illegal and construction had to use New York wood, Chu repurposed 25 decommissioned city water tanks into beautiful tongue-and-groove paneling. And while the Public has playfully embraced its resident wildlife—recently naming Romeo the Raccoon as the Delacorte’s mascot—a new cinder-block partition helps keep them out.
Thursday night’s performance of director Saheem Ali’s new production of Twelfth Night felt truly special, made even more so by its star-studded cast, including Sandra Oh, Peter Dinklage, Moses Sumney, and both Lupita and her brother Junior Nyong’o, whom Ali first met in their hometown of Nairobi. The Delacorte’s magnetic pull also drew a glittering crowd, with attendees like Sufjan Stevens, Jim Parsons, Constance Wu, Morgan Spector, and recent co-stars Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbott. Others in the audience included Wendell Pierce, Ali Stroker, Billy Crudup, Ruthie Ann Miles, Leslie Odom Jr., and Micaela Jae Rodriguez.
In a heartfelt pre-show speech, Eustis mentioned he had just flown in from England. The night before, the Public’s production of Fat Ham, also directed by Ali, had opened at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, cementing the Kenyan director’s role as a modern steward of Shakespeare’s legacy.
As Stephanie Hsu, Padma Lakshmi, Tramell Tillman, and Christian Slater applauded the finale, two DJs kicked off an after-party on the nearby lawn, where Alex Edelman, Susan Kelechi Watson, Nikki M. James, Ben Platt, and Noah Galvin navigated a few rain-dampened spots.
Below, a few Twelfth Night cast members and Delacorte regulars share their opening night feelings with Vogue—along with their favorite Shakespeare in the Park memories.
Saheem Ali, director
“The first show I ever directed was Grease. I saw a production in London, fell in love with it, went back home, wrote the script from memory, and got my high school friends to perform it. Someone from a local theater saw it and asked if I wanted to be in a production of Romeo and Juliet with Lupita. She was 14 and played Juliet; I was 17 and played Mercutio. But no one knew how much it meant to me.”
Lupita Nyong’o (Viola)
“I mean, he owned that role, so I have to disagree. We were friendly back then, but it wasn’t until we reconnected in New York—he was at Columbia, I was at Yale—that we became inseparable. Now I see everything he does. I love giving him notes, so this is his revenge—him giving me notes.”
Junior Nyong’o (Sebastian)
“Saheem has always felt like part of the family because he and Lupita have been friends for so long. Fat Ham is probably my favorite of his productions, but I haven’t seen Buena Vista Social Club, so that could change.”
Moses Sumney (Feste)
“I’d never been to the Delacorte before, so when Saheem asked me to join, I said no at first because I didn’t think I could handle Shakespeare. I’m still new to acting and wanted to stay in my lane. But he convinced me to take the leap.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the event designed to sound natural and provide clear direct answers
General Event Information
Q What is this event exactly
A Its a special onenight performance to celebrate the reopening of the Delacorte Theater in Central Park featuring famous actors from past Shakespeare in the Park productions
Q When and where is it happening
A Its at the Delacorte Theater in New York Citys Central Park Youll need to check the official Public Theater website for the specific date and time
Q Is this a full production of a Shakespeare play
A No its not Its a celebratory event with readings scenes and musical performances from various plays
Q Do I need a ticket
A Yes all performances at the Delacorte require a ticket They are free but must be reserved in advance through a lottery or distribution system
The Cast Performers
Q Who is performing at this event
A The event features a host of Shakespeare in the Park alumni meaning wellknown actors who have starred in previous seasons likely including stars from the 2018 production of Twelfth Night
Q I loved the 2018 Twelfth Night cast Will they all be there
A The announcement mentions them so its very likely that key members will be participating but the full list of attendees will be confirmed by the Public Theater
Q What does Shakespeare in the Park alumni mean
A Alumni in this context refers to actors who have performed in previous Shakespeare in the Park productions They are like graduates of the program returning for a reunion
The Venue Delacorte Theater
Q Why was the Delacorte Theater closed
A It was closed for a major multiyear renovation to update its infrastructure improve accessibility and enhance the experience for both audiences and performers
Q Whats new about the renovated theater
A Upgrades likely include new seating better restrooms improved backstage areas and modernized sound and lighting systems all while keeping its iconic openair design
Q Is it still an outdoor theater
A Yes absolutely