Andre Holland and Annie Parisse. Photo Credit: Sara Krulwich.

The Public Theater’s annual production of two Shakespeare plays in Central Park is as sensational now as it was when the tradition began 44 years ago. Running 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15 minute intermission, this year’s All’s Well That Ends Well tells the story of low-born Helena and her creative attempts to win the aristocratic Count Bertram’s love. Although one of Shakespeare’s lesser known works, this problem play displays both a wide array of characters as well as a surprisingly contemporary feel. While Shakespeare in the Park always performs its plays as they would have been performed at the Globe, certain elements of All’s Well That Ends Well, especially the war scenes and Helena’s strong, independent attitude, made the performance sometimes seem to be set during World War I, giving the play both a relatable modern flavor and a taste of 17th century England.

The play itself, already a fairytale for grown-ups, was only made more magical by the atmosphere of the Delacorte Theater. With a backdrop of the Belvedere Castle, a stunning Victorian folly built in 1869, the Delacorte Theater at night is one of the greatest highlights of a summer in the city. An open-air theater, there is not a bad seat in the house, the half-circle set up allowing for a perfect view of the stage from any row. Truly, watching Shakespeare beneath the stars in the cool night breeze of a summer in New York City is quite a memorable experience. And to top it off, the performances are free! For tickets, one must wait in line outside the Delacorte until 1pm on the day of the show when tickets are handed out on a first come first served basis. Although celebrities in past years’ performances have made lines somewhat ridiculous (for the 2010 performance of The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino, the last people to get tickets had to be on line by 6am), the absence of any celebrities in this year’s casts of either play means lines are quite tolerable. In order to ensure tickets, 10am is a safe time to get on line.

Directed by Daniel Sullivan, the performance itself was beautiful. The first act progressed somewhat slowly, the emphasis on the steady character development of Helena and Bertram as well as the age-appropriate score which continued throughout the play, while the second act was an explosion of war and unrequited love. With a simple but elegant stage set of a raised walkway, the flowing gowns of the English and vibrant dresses of the French made for a stark contrast and interesting interpretation of the disparity between the rigid and gay cultures.

A stunning show, Shakespeare in the Park offers not only a free performance of Shakespeare, but also access to a lovely niche in Central Park. Intimate but open, the Delacorte Theater makes All’s Well That Ends Well a worthwhile experience even for a Shakespeare hater. Quite sporadic, All’s Well That Ends Well will be playing on July 2, 3, 5-7, 13-15, 20, and 25-27. So if you’re in town this summer and enjoy Shakespeare, Central Park, or free performances, the Delacorte is where it’s at!