2018 Shakespeare in the Park

I just won tickets to tonight’s first performance.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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!