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Delacorte Theater

Address

Central Park
New York, NY 10003

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Delacorte Theater

Public Transport

  • By Subway:
    6 to 77th Street; B or C to 81st Street; 1 to 59th Street, switch to B or C, to 81st Street.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Info

    Up to 25 locations in first row. Wheelchair access via ramp at Gate 1.

  • Elevator/Escalator

    None.

  • Passenger Loading Zone

    None.

  • Parking

    Vehicles enter 85th St. & Central Park West. Obtain parking permits from HAI (212) 575-7663. Three reserved spaces.

  • Curb Ramps

    81st St. Some steep slopes to theater.

  • Entrance

    79th Street and Fifth Ave; Central Park West at 81st St. Large letter signs mark pathway to theater.

  • Restroom

    Womens and Mens: Separate building next to theater entrance on main path. Doors 40". Stall doors 30". Stall 40" x 22".Commode 21.5". Urinal 23".

  • Water Fountain

    On main entrance ramp to theater. No clear knee space. Controls difficult.

  • Telephone

    To the left of box office. Coin slot 64". Cord 30". Volume control.

  • Assisted Listening System

    Phonic Ear available. Occasional open captioned, audio described and sign language interpreted performances.

  • Visual Assistance

    None.

Theater Description

The Delacorte Theater is an 1,800-seat open-air theater located in Central Park, in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It is the home to the Public Theater's free Shakespeare in the Park productions.

Over five million people have attended more than 150 free productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals at the Delacorte Theater since its opening in 1962.

The theater is named in honor of George T. Delacorte, Jr., who donated money for its establishment, after several seasons presented by Joseph Papp's Shakespeare Workshop (founded in 1954) had been touring New York's boroughs on temporary staging and had proved the venture worthwhile. Papp had started seeking funds in 1958 for a permanent outdoor amphitheater in Central Park, under the aegis of Helen Hayes. Papp believed theater was essential for all to experience, and that it should be free for all. These conceits, and Papp's personal drive and determination, are what propelled Shakespeare in the Park into becoming one of New York City's most treasured and beloved traditions.

The first production, in 1962, was The Merchant of Venice starring George C. Scott and James Earl Jones.

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