Romeo & Juliet Under the Stars at the Delacorte Theater

Jul 16, 2026 by The Jewish Voice And Opinion Staff

By Two Sues on the Aisle, Susie Rosenbluth and Sue Weston

Free Shakespeare in the Park is celebrating its 64th year in the newly renovated Delacorte theatre, located in Central Park. This season opened with the reimagined performance of Romeo & Juliet, modernized to reflect the vibrant diversity of NYC. The plot is well known. A chance meeting leads Romeo and Juliet to meet and fall in love. But because their families are feuding, they cannot be together. They marry secretly, but then a series of missed communications results in a double suicide.

Director Saheem Ali and co-adapter James Shapiro have transposed Renaissance Verona into a modern U.S.–Mexico border town called Nueva Verona, which is divided by a massive wall. When alone, Romeo and Juliet speak entirely in Spanish. Translated by Mexican-Salvadoran professor Alfredo Michel Modenessi, the Spanish verse honors the meter and rhythm of Shakespeare’s original lines. For those worried about deciphering Shakespearean English, this production adds another twist by mixing in modern English and Spanish.

The open-air stage features stark imagery, two white statues of Santa Maria and Santa Muerte towering above the wall, each signifying one of the feuding houses. The Capulets are wealthy, powerful nationalists dressed in Border Patrol-inspired black uniforms, while the Montagues are Spanish-speaking activists fighting back. This interpretation adds a distinct political motive with pro-activist details, like a “Defund the Wall” sign and anti-ICE graffiti, politicizing the separation between the two houses.

New York City Edgy

The inclusion of Spanish dialogue and sharp political context made the production feel distinctly New York City-focused, liberal, and contemporary, which should resonate with the city’s large Spanish-speaking community. At times, the Spanish made the dialogue harder to follow the familiar storyline, but the exceptional acting compensated. This modern take ends with the Montagues and Capulets shaking hands, a gesture of peace that comes too late. It makes us wonder if it would have been possible to get past their senseless biases?

The leads, Romeo (Daniel Bravo Hernández) and Juliet (Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens), were well-paired, with wonderful voices and energy, radiating the intensity of their love. The pair was supported by an amazing ensemble, including Deirdre O’Connell as a world-weary, bawdy Nurse, Glenn Fleshler as a commanding Lord Capulet, Francis Jue as Friar Laurence, LaChanze as Lady Capulet, and Caleb Joshua Eberhardt who provided a flamboyant take on Mercutio. Each performer was amazing, making this a standout cast to be remembered.

As a unique added touch, the performance concluded with a real wedding ceremony between two pre-selected audience members, officiated on stage by Francis Jue. This real-life celebration of love brings the evening to a close in eccentric, memorable NYC fashion.

The hallmark of Free Shakespeare in the Park is delivering high-caliber performances with world-class talent. Although Romeo & Juliet closed on June 28, the season continues at the Delacorte with The Winter’s Tale, running from July 25 through August 23.

How to Get Tickets

The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park is free. Tickets are distributed at the Delacorte Theater starting at noon on the day of the performance. There is a limit of 2 tickets per person. There is a separate distribution for patrons 65+ and ADA accessible. Note: You will need a Public Theater Patron ID to claim your tickets

You can also enter a lottery either at 425 Lafayette Street in Astor Place (sign-up begins at 11 AM, and the lottery is at noon) or by entering the digital lottery onTodayTix on the day of the performance. If you win, you must confirm in the app within 30 minutes. Winners pick up their physical tickets at the Delacorte Theater box office between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM.

The Delacorte Theater, a 1,800-seat open-air amphitheater in Central Park ,completed a $85 million renovation in summer 2025. The space was designed by the architectural firm Ennead, providing ADA accessibility, including a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the seating area. The exterior has a dynamic new look, featuring sustainable, reclaimed redwood siding that blends naturally into the surrounding Central Park landscape.

The Delacorte Theater, is operated by The Public Theater, founded by Joseph Papp.

A New York City Bucket-List Experience

Attending Free Shakespeare in the Park at Central Park’s open-air Delacorte Theater is an iconic New York City experience and one well worth adding to your bucket list. Beautifully designed for unrestricted views, the theater offers comfortable stadium seating with ample legroom and wide aisles. It is a unique way to enjoy Manhattan at night, watching the sunset behind the canopy of Central Park as the performance unfolds. City sounds like overhead helicopters and passing planes seamlessly weave into the show, making it feel distinctly NYC. Come prepared, as the theater lights attracts bugs.

Enjoy the reimagined Shakespeare in Central Park. Spend a memorable evening watching accomplished stars perform under the starry sky of Manhattan.