Free Shakespeare in the Park may be on hold while Central Park's Delacorte Theater continues to undergo renovations, but that doesn't mean The Public Theater isn't bringing free Shakespeare to NYC! Their Mobile Unit The Comedy of Errors began its run May 28 and will continue through June 30, offering free performances of Shakespeare's comedy at venues across all five boroughs of New York City. Get a first look at the 2024 tour below.
This bilingual Comedy of Errors is conceived by director Rebecca Martinez and composer Julia Mesri.
The cast features Joél Acosta as Antipholus, Varín Ayala as Egeon and Pinch, Michael Castillejos as Solino and 2nd Merchant, Danaya Esperanza as Adriana, Keren Lugo as Luciana, Sara Ornelas as Troubadour, Gían Pérez as Dromio, Desireé Rodriguez as Courtesan and Emilia, and Glendaliris Torres-Greaux as Angelo. Musicians, led by music director Jacinta Clusellas, include Clusellas, Michael Castillejos, and Sara Ornelas, all playing guitar; and Raphael Torn on percussion. Rebecca Jimenez and Alan Mendez round out the company as understudies.
Desireé Rodriguez in Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Company of Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Gían Pérez, Michael Castillejos, and Joél Acosta in Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Sara Ornelas in Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Company of Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Gían Pérez in Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Joél Acosta in Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Company of Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Danaya Esperanza in Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Desireé Rodriguez, Gían Pérez, and Joél Acosta in Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Gían Pérez, Keren Lugo, and Danaya Esperanza in Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
Joél Acosta and company of Mobile Unit's The Comedy of Errors
The production also features scenic design by Emmie Finckel, costume design by Lux Haac, sound design by Charles Coes and Tye Hunt Fitzgerald, prop management by Claire M. Kavanah, and fight direction by Sean Fletcher Griffin. Luisa Sánchez Colón serves as production stage manager, with Ariana Michel as stage manager.
The Public's summer Shakespeare programming also features screenings of filmed performances of past Free Shakespeare in the Park productions. Last summer's Hamlet, starring Ato Blankson-Wood, was recently broadcast via PBS' Great Performances. The title is also streaming for free throughout May via PBS.org and the PBS app. Also available to stream in May and June are 2019's Much Ado About Nothing, 2021's Merry Wives, and 2022's Richard III.
That filmed performance of Much Ado About Nothing will get free outdoor screenings in all five boroughs, part of a partnership with NYC Parks and The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment's Movies Under the Stars program. Screenings are scheduled for June, July, and August.
For a full tour itinerary and free ticket information, visit PublicTheater.org.
