Hudson Warehouse

If you are not looking to wait in line all day in central park here is a alternative. You still get the Shakespeare but not the chairs or the fancy stage in lighting. This low budget production allows you to enjoy Shakespeare on a more personal level. However, you should remember to bring something to sit on and something yummy to eat in order to enjoy this to its full extent.

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
Translation: Great on a warm, breezy summer afternoon
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
Translation: A group of people having a good time performing some good ol’ Shakespeare fun
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
Translation: Not sure what the translation is, honestly… I never did well on any Shakespeare other than Hamlet.
Rollicking fun on an impromptu stage on the steps next to the big stone column thing in Hudson River Park near 89^th and 90^th streets and Riverside Dr. Imaginative use of bare-​bones props and natural surroundings (and bed-​sheets… you’ll have to see for yourself!).
Seriously though, bring a light picnic dinner, a blanket to sit on, some friends, and some cash for donations and you’ll be in for a real treat. Make sure you get there a little early to get the best/​closets seats along the steps, or it may get hard to hear.
5 stars for a great time
Revisit? Certainly!

Since I shitlisted Public Theatre, I opted for this venue instead. No tickets required. Steer right of the huge column along Riverside Park and you will find a stone makeshift ‘stage’. They do performances between mid July til the end of August. Watched Perciles here. These people truly love their craft, as I surmise there is little pay doing this. 60 characters are portrayed amongst 10 actors and actresses. Each person on ‘stage’ got up to 6 characters to portray thoughout the play. No joke. The actors make use of their surroundings, whether it be a bench or a ledge. A shopping cart full of props is brought to the ‘stage’ and the cast is comingled with the audience. You have no idea who is part of the cast or not, as most of the cast is in street clothing. Not until they start speaking their lines that is. I found that kinda cool. The show started at 6:30pm and lasted until 9pm. There are halogen lights provided but be sure to pack your own dinner or eat beforehand. For transportation you can take the 1 train to 86^st. At the end of the performance you can donate as you please.
schedule here:
pics: