Shakespeare in teh Park: A Summer Tradition Forged in Early Mornings and Community Spirit
A decades-long tradition of dedication, camaraderie, and even a touch of whimsy unfolds each summer in New York City as theatergoers line up for tickets too Shakespeare in the Park. This year is no different, with fans braving the early hours and forging connections while awaiting their chance to experience live performance under the open sky.
The scene at the Delacorte Theatre is a microcosm of New York itself, a diverse gathering united by a shared love of the arts. One attendee, arriving with her daughter at 5:30 a.m., described a spirit of generosity already in motion. “The woman to my right gave me her newspaper to read when she was finished,” she recounted. “And my daughter was talking to this guy whose daughter brought a dozen doughnuts and then,all of a sudden,we had doughnuts,too.” This communal atmosphere is a hallmark of the experience, a far cry from the impersonal nature of many modern entertainment venues. In years past, some local businesses would even deliver breakfast to those waiting in line, offering a bagel with bacon and eggs to early risers.
This year’s wait also features a new, furry addition: Romeo the raccoon, the official mascot of the Shakespeare in the Park program. The character, born from a fan vote, has quickly become a beloved figure. “Romeo the Raccoon is a really cute add-on,” one theatergoer noted, sparking a playful exchange with a fellow line-waiter. “she asked me what he is. I said, ‘Come on, can’t you guess?’ And she said, ‘Well, I remember what I voted for – a raccoon.’ And I said, ‘That’s what he is!’ And we both started laughing.”
Beyond the shared experience of the wait, attendees represent a wide spectrum of New York life. Rebecca Turchanik,a sales manager from Roosevelt Island,and Julia Masson Reidbord,an actor from Prospect-Lefferts Gardens,are among those patiently awaiting the prospect to see a performance. Others, like Robert Samuel, a courier-business owner from Chelsea, use the time to reminisce about musical icons. Samuel shared fond memories of seeing Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson in concert,lamenting his decision to sell tickets to a Prince performance years ago – a regret that clearly still stings.
The atmosphere isn’t solely about anticipation; it’s also about active engagement. Martin Jennings, a musician from the Upper West Side, has been providing live entertainment for the waiting crowds for 27 years, offering a mix of classical, Broadway, and pop tunes. “For the younger people, I’ve got some pop and rock – Phil Collins and Elton John,” Jennings explained, acknowledging the evolving tastes of the audience.
The renovated Delacorte Theater itself is a topic of conversation. Buzz Cohen, a stage manager at the Public who has worked with the company since 1985, described the changes as “like adjusting to a new house, but it’s a familiar house.” He noted that while the essential structure remains the same, the renovated space offers new possibilities and capacities.
the dedication of Shakespeare in the Park attendees is remarkable. Mary Pflum Peterson, a journalist and producer, arrived at 4:30 a.m. to secure her spot for the first show of the season, a tradition she’s maintained for years, even sleeping on the sidewalk in the past to see performances featuring stars like Meryl Streep and philip Seymour hoffman.
The enduring appeal of Shakespeare in the Park lies not just in the quality of the productions, but in the unique community it fosters – a testament to the power of shared experience and the enduring magic of live theater.
