Delacorte is a wonderful experience for Shakespeare in the Park, nestled next to Turtle Pond and south of the Great Lawn, it's a quick 5 minute walk from the western edge of the park from the W. 81st Street entrance. This is where the annual summer productions of the Bard's work are performed in NYC. The program itself is wonderful in the tickets are free and accessible to all via in person pick up at multiple points, online lottery, or thru donation programs. That also makes them notoriously difficult to get unless: a) you're able to carve out hours of time to make it to a distribution point and line up, or b) you have the luck of some--a friend got chosen via online lottery three times, I got chosen zero times after trying a couple dozen times. The fervor and excitement of these two productions--one the first half and one the second half of the summer--is real lol. Before they switched to online lottery many years ago, I (along with a few friends and several hundred other avid fans) literally slept on a bench* overnight outside Central Park in an attempt to get tickets to no avail. Luckily, through the generosity of a couple friends thru the years bringing me along (you get two tickets pp), I was able to enjoy Shakespeare's plays in this open-air, intimate setting where there are no bad seats in the house! The passion and enthusiasm the performers bring is infectious, you feel the buzz of anticipation from everyone attending who was fortunate (or donated) enough to get a ticket. The theater facilities include a few different windows on the exterior (ticket office, a couple snack stands) and separate bathrooms. As mentioned it's open to the elements so occasionally they will reschedule performances due to weather. Highly recommend this experience if you can procure tickets! *an experience that while amusing to recollect, I hope to never repeat; sitting upright on a hard bench overnight for 10 hours with no bathrooms makes for an interesting night! read more

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Long time fan of Shakespeare in the Park! We've been coming for years! The revitalized Delacorte is wonderful!! read more

Delacorte Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Shakespeare in the Park is such an amazing free experience in New York. The upgrades at this theatre this year are really top notch--good seats, stage design, lighting. Saw a mesmerizing production and am watching the lottery already for the next one. Get the picnic dog at concessions! read more

Amazing! I love this theater because it has such an intimate feeling. It's where Shakespeare in the Park is held every summer. There are great seats no matter where you go. However, I'm honestly really excited for the improvements that will happen next year. The Tempest is going to be the last run in this theater until Summer 2025. One of the slight disappointments is that the incline isn't very high. So if you're short like me and someone who is over 6 feet tall sits in front of you, half the theater's stage is eclipsed. Looking forward to all the renovations coming up! IG: QueenOfAdventureNYC read more

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The Delacorte Theater is truly special - not much can compare to an intimate outdoor theater nestled in the middle of Central Park. There is not a bad seat in the house (which is good, because most patrons won't get to choose their seats). The majority of the tickets are free and can be obtained several ways (lottery, in person line, etc - check the website for detailed information) but since the theater is shutting down for 18 months for renovations and I knew I wanted to go this summer, I joined the Partners program by making a donation to the Public Theater to get tickets. This enabled me to book and choose seats in advance (from a limited selection of seats that they open up for reservations, as the majority are meant to be free to the public). One of my favorite NYC experiences! read more

Had a great time... Got kind of chilly after a while but that was my fault for not bringing a jacket. The theater is big but intimate if that makes sense; like, the middle seems like it's the best place to sit however because of how the stage is shaped, there truly isn't a such thing as a bad seat (it enhances the experience sitting on the sides because of the perspectives). As for concessions: The chicken Caesar wrap tasted ok but the chicken was cut kind of thick, especially for it to be served cold. The nachos however looked delicious, so next time I go I have to try them. I want to come back to see "To Be" again because 1. I was late and 2. I want the middle seats lol read more

So glad that the city brought back the free Shakespeare in the park back before Broadway opens. And it's FREE. Getting lottery or standby tickets are fairly easy. The theater during pandemic has different settings, some parts are social distanced for people are not fully vaccinated. Most seats are full capacity seats but vaccination required. Came to see Merry Wives by public theater. The performance is amazing. Also a unique twist to modern world incorporate BLM and LGBT elements. Fun to see an interpretation from different heritage. read more

Delacorte Theater - Merry wives - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Shakespeare In The Park is one of my favorite things to do in the summer time as a New Yorker. Public theater is a different show to see itself. This venue is always gorgeous and location is always set up in prime mode near Belvedere Castle with the moonrise facing the audience and in the back of any select shows. This is an outdoor theater in the middle of Central Park. On a very good clear day, it's the perfect atmosphere to watch any stellar performances. I enjoyed As You Like It as this was such a feel good show with modern day dances and sport inserts to give you a good laugh. A good treat as New York springs slowly out of COVID. It's about time as we all have thought that for so long. read more

Delacorte Theater - As You Like It playbill for Shakespeare In The Park - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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One of the most iconic and underrated theaters in the city, which also houses some of the most uncomfortable seats. I seriously thought my butt would end up permanently deflated by the end of Act I. I heard the Delacorte is due for some renovations in the fall, so hopefully they make the seating more spacious and comfortable, and the bathrooms larger and cleaner too! As it is an outdoor theater situated by a pond, I would suggest using some bug spray before you enter if you're particularly susceptible to bug bites. You are welcome to bring your own water bottles too for the hot summer nights though concessions are available during intermission. Once the play ends, the crowds disperse towards two paths, one which leads to the west side and one which leads to the east side. Don't take the sketchy back road towards Belvedere Castle and stick with the crowds! read more

I love love this theatre. Every summer (except during the quarantine) is where they show the free Shakespeare in the park plays. This year I saw As You Like It. Every seat is a good view of the stage. It's physically located in the middle of Central Park. So bring a jacket because it gets cool at night as you are watching the play. Also, if you are taller than 5'8" your legs will be cramped up; it's not too much leg room. And bring mosquito repellent, those bugs are treacherous . read more

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A lovely theatre right smack in the middle of Central Park... home to the famous Shakespeare in the Park every summer. The venue is very clean and well kept. And any seat you have - you have a good view of the stage. The sound system is pretty awesome as well. My only criticism is that the seats are narrow. Bathrooms are located in the stone building next to the box office Other than that I would come back in an instant to see another play read more

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What an absolutely stunning theatre space. I have been dying to see a show here for so long and I finally won tickets to Free Shakespeare in the park, I was elated! I was able to see Coriolanus, it was spectacular!! The theatre itself is such a great setting for Shakespeare, I felt extremely lucky to sit in that seat with the setting sun behind me enjoying a timeless play. We went on a night that had subtitles, which really helped me follow along with the action if I wanted to re-read it. The acoustics were fantastic and the ushers were very helpful. We also ordered some food, the hotdog with all the stuffings on it was absolutely delicious and hit the spot. The frozen lemonade was a bit too sweet for me, but I still sucked it down! Such a great venue that I hope to come back to soon. read more

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Delacorte theater is located in the heart of Central Park. Each year the Shakespeare Company puts on free shows i the park .

An amazing theater that gives access to theater in a beautiful setting to all New Yorkers! I love this place. read more

Delacorte Theater - Delacorte theater is still asking us to be safe! Yay! Getting ready to enjoy Shakespeare in the park. - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

While everything about The Chad may scream crypto, stonks and venereal disease, beneath my imitation Patagonia vest lies the heart of a true thespian. I dated a 19-year old film student once, and that 24-hour experience makes me uniquely well qualified to review the Delacorte Theatre. The Delacorte Theatre is synonymous with the annual, ostensibly free production of Shakespeare in the Park. I attended with several of my totally platonic crypto bros. We obtained our tickets from a third-party source, so I can't comment on the ticket allocation process. That said, my impression upon attempting to enter the theatre was that admission seemed slightly chaotic and disorganized. Plan to arrive well ahead of showtime to deal with the queues. The theatre itself it quite nice. Sure, there is more legroom in the back seats of my Nissan Murano Cross-Cabriolet, but much like with that car, the purpose of attending a show at the Delacorte Theatre is to experience the open air and serenade lady friends from The League. There are few obstructions to block the stage and the staff seemed quick to respond to potentially disruptive guests. If there is one criticism, the seats towards the outside edges of the theatre don't offer the best view. Since most action seems to be focused on toward the center of the stage, the performers' backs may often be turned towards those on the outside extremities. Ultimately, watching Richard III, a play about one of the most relatable and heart-warming characters ever written, amidst the amber sunset is an experience that is difficult replicate elsewhere. And that is irrespective of the fact that myself and my fellow bros were perhaps a bit too koala-brained to understand everything that was happening. Unfortunately, the restrooms were less romantic. It seems like there were insufficient facilities relative to the audience size. I thus experienced the longest line I have ever seen for the men's room. Upon entering, traversing the restroom floor was like navigating a slip-and-slide coated with margarine. It has been some time since I've experienced slippage like this, so perhaps the theatre should consider updating the ancillary facilities and services to match the demand for the performances. Restrooms aside, the Delacorte Threatre and Shakespeare in the Park is an experience for everyone. You can bring your League dates here for free after losing 49% of your Dogecoin holdings and not feel like a total schlub. And isn't that what public access to the arts is all about? read more

Delacorte theater is host to Shakespeare at the park. It is perfect for date night or hanging out with family or friends. Awesome outdoor seating and you can bring your own food. I've been lucky enough to watch Taming of the Shrew with an all-female cast... I think Shakespeare would have appreciated that. I've also seen Cymbeline. Both places were amazing. Everyone should experience Shakespeare at the park, whether you are a fan of the Arts or not. It's a great experience. You can get tickets by making the line early in the morning by the box office, at the Public Theater or entering the lottery online. It's all free but lines can get really long and we know about lotteries. read more

Delacorte Theater - Stage before the show - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

I love that this is an open air theater. Ambient city noise can be a little annoying sometimes, but I love the juxtaposition of Shakespearean theater being performed in the middle of one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the world. It's especially breath-taking when dusk turns to night, and the moon and stars appear if you're lucky enough to go on a really clear night. There are multiple concession stands that serve food, snacks, and drinks including alcohol. You're also allowed to bring your own food and drinks (even alcohol) as long as they are not in glass containers. There's also a merchandise stand if you'd like a souvenir. The plays themselves are amazing to watch! They do a great job setting up the stage and scenery; the music and sound production are perfectly set; and they make a great use of the theater space as a whole, not just the stage. The employees/volunteers can seem strict, but they're usually quite friendly and reasonable. They're just doing their jobs and ensuring that the few rules they have are being followed. Its always a good time and would recommend it to everyone! read more

Delacorte Theater - The stage before the play starts - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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This was my first time at Delacorte Theater. It was a Monday night for Shakespeare In The Park. Retrieving the ticket and finding my seat went smoothly. I enjoyed a version of Merry Wives (of Harlem.) I had a great time and laughed quite a bit. It was quite dark when I left and tried to find my way out of Central Park. read more

Last Labor Day I went to NYC for vacation. My friend took advantage of my free time and had me wait in line for free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park. The show was "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" and the celebrity actress was Rosario Dawson. The line was a beeyotch. I think I waited in line for 5 hours, listened to most of my iPod, read half of a book, actually called in to TWO conference calls for work, and reaped the reward of two tickets to the show that night (see picture). We walked thru Central Park (which was really nice) and got to our seats at Sect D, Row D, Seats 310/311. Very good seats about halfway up and at about 8 o'clock facing the stage. The entire show was fantastic and I had a grand ol' time. Stuff like this makes me wish I lived in NYC, although I'd hate living in those dodgy little apartments. read more

Delacorte Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

1,800 good open-air seats! BYOB & food (alcohol permitted!) in non-glass containers. read more

Going to Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater is one of the truly great New York City experiences that you must do!! If you are a tourist visiting on a vacation or a lifelong resident, this experience should not be missed. The theater is small so that everyone gets a good view of the stage, I can't imagine there is a bad seat in the house. It is also BYOB and BYO Food, which is amazing. I brought a small soft cooler with a bottle of bourbon, sandwiches, chips, fruit, soda, and water. You can eat dinner, have some inexpensive (home made) drinks, and enjoy a show. The idea is to make everything FREE! WOW! They do have a bar with wine and drinks available, as well as a cantina with food, but expect to pay NYC show prices, and anyway....you can bring your own!!! WHAT!! The only drawback, especially if you are a tourist, is that you need to wait as many as 4-5 hours in the morning for free tickets. People start lining up as early as 7am, sometimes 5am if there is a big name actor performing like John Lithgow or Al Pacino. Tickets are distributed at noon, and give out on a first come, first serve basis, randomly. You cannot pick your seat, but seats are all good. read more

Delacorte Theater - The Taming of the Shrew - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Wonderful experience! Get there early. You'll have a good time. This is a really nice amphitheater with a beautiful view of Belvedere Castle, which just seemed very appropriate for Shakespeare in the Park. All the seats have a good view of the stage and there are many snack options available at concessions read more

Delacorte Theater - The stage from last row. All seats are good. - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Please do your audience a favor and take out row "X" It is a compact row (all the rows ahead of us everyone had their legs comfortably crossed). My guest (6'2) and myself (5'10) had to literally straddle the seat back in front of us to fit. I was in such pain from being stuck in this position that we sadly ended up leaving at intermission. In the future, if I receive tickets in row X, I will politely decline. read more

What an amazing performance space. Having seen "Shakespeare in the Park" at various venues throughout this fair land...and some in Europe too...this place stands up as being the greatest, most thrilling venue for outdoor theatre. The view from the higher seats is amazing. To see the trees of the park behind the always well designed set and then a backdrop of city buildings and the twilight sky is something to behold. Even the shoddiest of shows is made better by the venue being so worth the trouble to get tickets...and packing in almost 2,000 people in the space and maintaining an "intimate" atmosphere is no small feat. read more

Delacorte Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Shakespeare in the Park is a must see for everyone. I saw Much Ado About Nothing. It's a hilarious modern version of the classic Shakespeare play. It's free so no excuses, you must go see it before it closes. It's outdoors so be prepared if it's rainy. read more

Delacorte Theater - Shakespeare in the Park set - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

There is no excuse not to come here to see Shakespeare in the Park. All you have to do is pack food and a chair or blanket to wait for your free tickets. And every show I've seen there (with the exception of one that I'm willing to ignore) has been absolutely amazing. Usually, the cast is full of big name actors from the stage and screen. I would give a heads up that the seats aren't super comfy. So you might want to bring your own pillow if you have any back problems! read more

Shakespeare in the Park. Absolutely amazing venue to watch a play. Great views of the stage and the surrounding area. It will be the best thing you waited on line for all summer! read more

Went to see Hair last thursday night, so I'll review the theater and the production. My experience at the Delacorte in Central Park was so absolutely wonderful that they could have put a bunch of third graders on stage doing a thanksgiving pageant and I would have given 5 stars. First of all, its free. Second of all its an open air theater in Central Park, and third of all its a theater in the round and the experience is so wonderfully New York that its an experience anyone who loves NY, romance or theater should have. For newbs- the way the theater works-- tix are free, and given out at the theater starting at 1pm, but people start getting in line pretty early. Sometimes you can arrive late and still get tickets, but sometimes they get huge crowds and you cant really guess in advance. We arrived at 6am and we had about 40 or 50 people in front of us (each of whom can get 2 tix a piece). Even though people who came later still got tix, we got GREAT seats-- dead center, so i was happy. And to tell the truth, i enjoyed the line. I loved watching the people all cuddly who were sleeping on the ground, and some who brought music instruments, and picnics, and scrabble games. I also loved that you could order in food to the line or rent chairs or buy coffee or water from other vendors walking the line. We were lucky cuz it was a beautiful day and there are a lot worse things to do then spend the day in the park with a great friend. The theater itself is wonderful! This was my first time and i loved it-- looking up at the sky while watching great theater cant be beat. And its small and intimate. A little tight on the legroom, but what do you want for free? Ok-- on to the show. I LOVED IT!!! Wow that cast was first rate! Some serious talent, and what a great choice of a show to see in that environment. Fun, full of energy and wonderful music, and very touching in parts. The cast was interactive with the audience throughout and inviting the audience to dance on stage for the finale was just icing on an already five star cake. I highly recommend both a trip to the Delacorte, and Hair. read more

Jill and I went to the Delacorte last night to see Romeo & Juliet and had a terrific time (as we always do when attending Shakespeare in the Park). The theater is one of those "only in New York" experiences - I highly recommend seeing any/all of the Public Theater's productions. The outdoor setting is always magical, and my favorite moments usually involve subtle, unanticipated forces of nature. A whirling breeze, the rustling of trees at just the right moment, the flight of birds over the set, or simply the way the performers cope with crazy New York sounds (like distant shouts or passing police sirens). "But soft... what sound is this?" (Hopefully not the chip-chomping guy behind you!) read more

Merging old traditions with cutting edge technology, the Delacorte Theater is a beautiful open-air theater in the round with superb lighting and staging capabilities. I'm very bad at estimating crowd sizes but even though it seats at least 1,000 people you will definitely have a decent seat no matter which section you're in. It's also conveniently located on the south side of the Great Lawn, so you can get there either from W. 81st or E. 79th Streets. It's incredible to experience Shakespeare the way it was performed when it was freshly written. Seeing Central Park's trees beyond the stage, hearing birds chirping (and airplanes droning above) really adds another dimension to any performance here. Lucky accidents happen when there are breezes too, so actors' pretty costumes can flutter at will. They do sell food and drink but I have a rule of never purchasing anything at theaters; tends to be overpriced. The women's restrooms are a little worn but perfectly fine. Go early! A few things the audience did that irked me when I was here, so don't do this yourself: 1) NO UMBRELLAS. Not only is it against the rules, but seriously, don't block my view. Bring a poncho or jacket instead. They're only going to stop the show if there's lightning or for heavy rain, not just a sprinkle. 2) DON'T TALK during the show. 3) DON'T EAT during the show! Especially if your stuff is in plastic bags because it makes lots of noise. I know it's outside, but do this beforehand, ok? 4) NO CELL PHONES. 'Nuff said. Aside from that, enjoy the show! read more

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it here So, despite my near run-in with death when I tried to snap a picture (if you've been here you know what I mean) I would come back for a show in a heartbeat. I saw "Hair" during Shakespeare in the Park this summer and it was magical. Luckily, my friend was able to get tickets through another friend, so I didn't have to camp out beside the box office with the other crazies. Its close quarter seating, to put it in a nice way, but really a wonderful experience. Hair was amazing, reminded me how much I love shows, and the Delacorte was the perfect spot. read more

World-class theater for free (or rather, for a few hours of your time waiting in line). It can get a little out of hand when there's a production starring celebrities (people started lining up for Mother Courage with Meryl Streep the night before), but it sort of adds to the magic of the experience and bonds you with the other audience members...besides, sitting around in Central Park for a few hours is never a bad thing (although the theater guards are excessively pedantic and strict about the rules). Still, it's all worth it to be sitting outside under the stars watching some damn fine Shakespeare. read more

Theatre in the round. Not a bad seat in the house with a capacity of almost 2,000. The backdrop is the duck pond and Belvedere Castle. In the middle of Central Park. Picturesque. Romantic. Great space. I was just there recently for the final performance of Twelfth Night, this year's Shakespeare in the Park show. It was amazing. Anne Hathaway and Audra McDonald played well off each other. I frequently said that they should've gotten stars, but real actors. These ladies performance was legendary and shut me up. The direction by Daniel Sullivan was original and impressive. Easily the best interpretation of Twelfth Night that I've seen. It was almost more of a musical than a play. And now they have Public Fare in the Delacorte as a concessionaire; a part of Danny Meyer's Gramercy Tavern restaurant empire. That'll be good. read more

Shakespeare in the Park! I get excited about entering the lottery for a ticket to a show every summer, more for the location than even the theatre itself. A chance to escape the city for a few hours, right in the middle of the city, see some amazing theatre and picnic. I just Julius Caesar - worth checking out for the Trumpesque modern take - but also to watch the sunset over the park. read more

If you have a day (starting around 5am) to dedicate to Shakespeare in the Park then I strongly suggest that you do this at least once as a New Yorker. As a matter of fact it's one of those things that I think one MUST do in order to consider themselves a New Yorker regardless of your appetite for live theater. This is something much more. Went to see Mr. Pacino in The Merchant Of Venice yesterday evening. The day began at 5am when I cabbed it uptown with a friend to meet another and queue up for tickets. When we all got together it was about 5:45 and the line was approx. 5 city blocks up CPW. The line was ushered into the park and strung along the path that runs north from the Delacorte. We were about 30 people in front of what the security guys referred to as "the rock of hope." When you are in front of the rock of hope... there is hope. From 6am until 1pm we camped out, played cards, told every off color joke we had and went to the box office canteen for coffee and muffins (note - above average coffee). The rules of the line have been explained before (no subbing out, you have to be there the whole time sans bathroom breaks or up to the canteen and no cutting the line!!!) 1pm comes around, the line moves slowly and we start to see the promised land. At about the 50 person in front of us mark it's announced they are down to single tickets only. At 6 people in front of us those run out and numbered vouchers are handled out for any returns of those given to corporations, etc. so we have to be back at 6:30 for the 8pm show. We get our tixs by 7pm and hang out until showtime. The Delacorte is a wondrous theater space at any price but to sit about 10 rows from the stage - FREE - to enjoy a nearly 3 hour production in the open Central Park air is the height of a New York summer. The audience has a shared "we sucked it up all day for this" togetherness which you just don't find. As for the production it was sublime. The humor was there when you needed it but The Merchant Of Venice is no light affair. Pacino's Shylock was the best performance I have ever seen in person. So much depth of character to go along with the unsettling subject matter. In sum, go with friends (2 tixs per person), get on line by 5:30am on a weekend or by about 7am on a weekday and take a nap in the afternoon. read more

Gorgeous, intimate open-air theater where every seat gives a spectacular view of the stage. Excellent lighting all around the theater and trap doors/moveable walkways, and an ascending glass semi-circle wall, allow for great variety and movement with the sets. On a clear night (such as last night), you are met with a stunning backdrop of an illuminated Belvedere Castle, as the moon lounges above your head, while the gentle rustle of a warm breeze wisps through the trees. To watch a show at the Delacorte Theater is unlike any other... read more

Beautiful surroundings. Small and intimate -- probably not a bad seat in the house. Yet, WOEFULLY short on women's restrooms. read more

We attended Shakespeare in the Park and saw The Tempest starring Sam Waterston. Tickets are very much coveted, so I suggest arriving at the box office early and being prepared to wait a very long time. The box office opens at 12pm each day, and tickets for that night are released. I arrived on a Friday morning at 11:15am and didn't think I'd get tickets because the line was so long. I ended up being on of the first people to receive two single tickets, but they were able to give me two tickets that were the same seat number in two different rows one behind the other. The theater is huge and seats about 1800 people. There isn't a bad seat in the house, and I had a great time! You are able to bring your own food and drinks as long as they are not in glass containers. I would highly recommend checking out Shakespeare in the Park if you are able to get your hands on tickets! read more

How could I give the Delacorte anything less than a full 5 stars?! Delacorte Theater is the home to the summer Shakespeare in the Park series, a New York City tradition. Open-air stadium seating in the middle of Central Park, views of the castle, easy access from the UWS via the 79th Street entrance. On, and did I mention that the summer Shakespeare tickets are FREE?! I happened to be fortunate enough to get tickets recently, and was Wow'ed by the Delacorte, the theater company, the production itself (Winter's Tale)...even the weather was perfect that day. I was delighted to learn that food and drink are permitted inside, so we had packed a little picnic that we enjoyed before the show and continued our wine during the show. I noticed there was a wine pouring station near the snack bar, although I'm not sure if that was a special promotion or if its always there. Either way, I certainly appreciated being able to bring a favorite bottle from home. Because the tickets were obtained via the Public Theater's online lottery program, I had zero say in the actual seats. We ended up being center stage in a upper row. I found the seats to be wonderful--even that far back the acoustics were fine and could see everything. There really aren't any visual obstructions and it doesn't seem like there's a bad seat in the house. And even if there were...the tickets are FREE!! This is somewhere that every New Yorker has to do at least once. Bravo! read more

One of the best experiences of Central Park The theater is in the open so always come with an umbrella! read more