The Winter’s Tale – 9 August 2026

Many of the Shakespeare in the Park offerings by the Public Theater at the Delacorte go to great lengths to draw a modern parallel or present the production in a unique format. Shockingly, this production of The Winter’s Tale does none of that and stands on its own without sacrificing an ounce of accessibility. Easy to understand and deeply engaging, this three and a half hour adventure thrills and delights, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. The Winter’s Tale is a lesser produced play that makes use of some of Shakespeare’s common tropes– obsessive madness, banishment, lovers from warring households, fools who are wise and wise men who are fools– but does so with a very different pervading atmosphere. While stories like Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, and As You Like It are comedic in nature in the sense that they are funny, The Winter’s Tale, though technically a comedy, is a dark, twisted portrait of pain. Despite the Shakespearean language, watching The Winter’s Tale feels like watching an American TV show full of grit, integrity, mishaps, poor decisions, and a delightful twinge of the absurd.

In another departure from Public Theater tradition, the show’s cast boasts more accomplished actors than talented community members. In some prior performances at the Delacorte, the stage has been crowded with over a hundred performers, but this production stuck to those actually in the script. Raúl Esparza (Leontes), Lily Rabe (Hermione), Steven Skybell (Antigones/Autolycus), Marsha Stephanie Blake (Paulina), and Gilbert Owuor (Polixenes) dazzle the stage with talent, nuance, and sincerity, bringing their respective characters to life. My personal favorite moment was Hermione’s trial. Lily Rabe infused this moment with a defiant energy that was truly electrifying. Her performance was dynamic, breathtaking, and awe-inspiring.

The first act of The Winter’s Tale primarily takes place in Sicilia, a cold and rigid place led by a mad tyrant who has no difficulty holding life and death in the palm of his hand. The second act primarily takes place in Bohemia, which touts a different vibe. Where Sicilia is barren trees, Bohemia is outcrops of colorful flowers. Whatever their appearances, unkindness lurks in both places. The first act focuses on the cruelty of Leontes, and the second half on the cruelty of Polixenes. To some degree, other characters are pawns who have their fate determined by these two kings. Some, like Hermione and Florizel (Daniel Kyri) have the gumption to speak out, but others like Antigones and the Old Shepherd (Chuck Cooper) largely accept their fates. 

The world of the play is so vibrant and rich that it leaves its audience breathless. The Winter’s Tale is a play of characters, not of caricatures. It is one of the most interesting arrangements of Shakespeare’s typical tools of the trade, and also one of the most insightful. This show is a must see for this summer at the Delacorte, and it far outshines the last several pieces I’ve seen there. Worth the three and a half hour investment, The Winter’s Tale is truly a triumph.

I attended this performance on a press pass from the Public Theater.