Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park

This masterful dive into the muddy middle between political genius and violent power grab will open Free Shakespeare in the Park’s 60th Season.

By: Jun. 16, 2022
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The Public Theater will begin performances on Tuesday, June 21 for the upcoming Free Shakespeare in the Park production of RICHARD III at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The Robert O'Hara-directed production will celebrate a Company Opening on Thursday, June 30 with an Official Press Opening on Monday, July 11. Reviews are under embargo until 11am EST on Monday, July 11. RICHARD III marks O'Hara's Free Shakespeare in the Park debut and welcomes Danai Gurira back to The Delacorte after 11 years in the title role.

Check out rehearsal photos below!

The complete cast of RICHARD III includes Maleni Chaitoo (Ensemble), Wyatt Cirbus (Prince of Wales), Thomas DellaMonica (Understudy Ensemble) , Sanjit De Silva (Buckingham), Sam Duncan (Duke of York), Thaddeus S. Fitzpatrick (Ensemble), Skyler Gallun (Ensemble), Danai Gurira (Richard III), Sarah Nina Hayon (Ensemble), Monique Holt (Duchess of York), Matthew August Jeffers (Ensemble), Matt Monaco (Ensemble), Gregg Mozgala (King Edward IV/Richmond), Joe Mucciolo (Ensemble), Paul Niebanck (George), Xavier Pacheco (Ensemble), Marcus Raye Pérez (Ensemble), Grace Porter (Ensemble), Michael Potts (Lord Stanley), Ariel Shafir (Lord Hastings), Heather Alicia Simms (Queen Elizabeth), N'yomi Stewart (Ensemble), Ali Stroker (Anne), Sharon Washington (Queen Margaret), and Daniel J. Watts (Catesby Ratcliffe).

Tony Award nominee Robert O'Hara (Slave Play, The Public's Barbecue) brings his sharp wit and story-telling genius to The Delacorte with a bold new production of RICHARD III. One of Shakespeare's most indelible villains, Richard is determined to be King. Following his lust for power and the throne, he manipulates, kidnaps, and kills all who stand between him and his throne, using brilliant words and dark charm to conceal his dismantling of government and justice. This masterful dive into the muddy middle between political genius and violent power grab will open Free Shakespeare in the Park's 60th Season with piercing relevancy and electrifying drama.

The production features scenic design by Myung Hee Cho, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Alex Jainchill, sound design and original music by Elisheba Ittoop, Delacorte 2022 sound system design by Daniel Lundberg, hair and wig design by Nikiya Mathis, prop management by Alexander Wylie, direction of artistic sign language by Neil Sprouse, fight direction by Teniece Divya Johnson and Jeremy Sample, intimacy direction by Tenice Divya Johnson, and movement direction by Byron Easley. Bryan Bauer serves as production stage manager and Heather Englander serves as stage manager.

For more information: publictheater.org.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Danai Gurira and Matthew August Jeffers

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Joe Mucciolo

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Sharon Washington

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Danai Gurira

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Sanjit De Silva

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Danai Gurira and Matthew August

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Daniel J. Watts

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Monique Holt, Heather Alicia Simms, and Joe Mucciolo

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Sharon Washington and Heather Alicia Simms

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Danai Gurira, Monique Holt, and Joe Mucciolo

Photos: First Look at Danai Gurira, Daniel J. Watts & More in Rehearsal for RICHARD III at Free Shakespeare in the Park
Sanjit De Silva and Danai Gurira



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