Shakespeare In The Park Canceled Due To Coronavirus Crisis

CENTRAL PARK, MANHATTAN — One of the summer's most popular events won't be held for the first time in nearly six decades because of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced Friday.

Shakespeare in the Park — usually held between May and August at Central Park's Delacorte Theater — has been canceled by Public Theater, the group that runs the show.

"Every summer for the last 58 years we have reveled in gathering under the stars at the magical Delacorte Theater for Free Shakespeare in the Park," organizers wrote. "But this year is different. This year, we must stand together in keeping our city and each other safe."

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The cancellation is the latest popular New York City event to shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week that all non-essential large events in May would be banned and the city would need to set a "real high bar" to allow large gatherings in June. The mayor has already closed down public pools for the summer.

Shakespeare in the Park had planned to begin its first show, "Richard II," on May 19 this year and had an installment of "As You Like It" planned for later in the summer. The shows typically bring long lines to the spots where Public Theater gives out its highly-coveted free tickets.

The cancellation also means that the remaining season of Public Theater programs at its Astor Place headquarters are canceled through August 31, the theater said.

"This is a time of immense shared loss, throughout our city and throughout the world," the theater wrote. "The Public will bear financial losses, reductions in our staffing, and most heartbreakingly, the loss of our ability to gather and share stories together."

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