All the World’s a Stage Downtown, With Two Free Shakespeare Plays This Summer 

Two theater groups are bringing drama to Lower Manhattan this summer with outdoor performances of Shakespeare classics. 

First up is “Macbeth,” (shh, don’t say it!) directed by Geoffrey Horne and Alec Baldwin as part of Shakespeare Downtown, which annually puts on free outdoor performances at Castle Clinton National Monument in Lower Manhattan. The organization stages their productions here to create an experience similar to how plays were originally done at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre: in the open-air, in the round and on the water. 

“Macbeth” is a Shakespearian tragedy published in 1623 about a Scottish lord who is told by a trio of witches that he will be the king of Scotland. As they say, deathly shenanigans ensue. 

Performances of “Macbeth” will happen June 13-23, Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are free and attendees can secure them the day of the performance starting at 6 p.m. at Castle Clinton National Monument. More information can be found at the Shakespeare Downtown website.

Later this summer, New York Classical Theatre will put on a performance of “Henry IV,” also in Battery Park. This production is particularly immersive, as audience members will physically follow the actors from place to place within Battery Park as the story unfolds. The play is directed by Stephen Burdman and stars Nick Salamone as Henry IV, Juan Luis Acevedo as Northumberland/Lord Chief Justice, Ian Antal as Prince Hal and Anique Clements as Poins/Mortimer. 

“Henry IV,” which was written between 1596 and 1598, is a story about King Henry IV’s reign in England as a rebellion grows and he contends with a wayward son. Shakespeare wrote it as two separate parts; the New York Classical Theatre production combines both. 

Performances of “Henry IV” will happen July 9-14 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved here. Attendees should meet in front of the Castle Clinton National Monument. More information can be found at the New York Classical Theatre website. 

photo: Amy Goossens, courtesy Shakespeare Downtown