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The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park series stages The Winter’s Tale at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, running through August 23, according to production details. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, the staging features Raúl Esparza as Leontes, the jealous king of Sicily, and Lily Rabe as his wrongly accused queen, Hermione, alongside Gilbert Owuor as Polixenes, the king of Bohemia.
Delusional Jealousy and the Tyranny of Leontes
Leontes descends into madness after convincing himself that a pregnant Hermione is having an affair with Polixenes, according to the play’s plot details. He imprisons his wife and banishes their newborn daughter, Perdita, while Hermione collapses and dies offstage following the sudden death of her other son.
To prepare for the role, Esparza studied videos of individuals experiencing morbid jealousy, also known as Othello syndrome, according to the actor. “I recognize Leontes because I have had moments of extraordinary jealousy and anger that come out of nowhere,” Esparza says, describing the unhinged tyrant’s quick movements and darting eyes.
Pro Tip: When attending Free Shakespeare in the Park at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater, be prepared for potential summer weather disruptions and air quality delays, as experienced during the recent rehearsal process.
Broadway Returns and Historical Parallels for Esparza and Rabe
The role serves as a return for Esparza ahead of his upcoming Broadway appearance in Galileo this December, marking his first main stem role in 14 years, according to the actor. Rabe is also returning to Broadway in a revival of Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities, which begins previews in late September alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus and John Benjamin Hickey, according to production announcements.
Esparza connects the themes of The Winter’s Tale to the era in which Shakespeare wrote it. “Shakespeare wrote The Winter’s Tale when Galileo looked up at the stars,” Esparza says. “At that time, the state could tell you that what you were seeing wasn’t real—and you had to say that everything about science was a lie in order to simply survive.”
Delacorte Theater Renovations and Rabe’s Homecoming
Rabe returns to the Delacorte Theater following its $85 million renovation, admitting she was initially nervous about the space feeling different, according to TheaterMania. “When we first moved back to New York last September, we took our kids to see the renovation, and they ran around the stage, and we ran around the stage, and we thought, ‘This is the same. This is home,'” Rabe says.
For director Daniel Sullivan, Rabe notes that working on the production “would always be a yes,” marking her latest collaboration at the venue since starring in Cymbeline in 2015 alongside partner Hamish Linklater, according to TheaterMania. Rabe’s children, ages nine, six, and four, will see her perform at the Delacorte for the first time during this run.
Did You Know? Lily Rabe’s theatrical lineage includes her parents, playwright David Rabe and actor Jill Clayburgh, while partner Hamish Linklater is the son of vocal coach Kristin Linklater, according to TheaterMania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Winter’s Tale playing in New York City?
The production runs at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park as part of the Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park series through August 23, according to production schedules.
Who stars in the Public Theater production of The Winter’s Tale?
The play stars Raúl Esparza as Leontes and Lily Rabe as Hermione, with Gilbert Owuor appearing as Polixenes, under the direction of Daniel Sullivan.
What historical parallel does Raúl Esparza draw to the play?
Esparza notes that Shakespeare wrote the play during the era when Galileo observed the stars, drawing a parallel between institutional control of reality at the time and the themes of the drama.
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