NEW YORK (AP) — A starry group of veteran Public Theater actors — including Lupita Nyong’o, Peter Dinklage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Sandra Oh — will help reopen the newly revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park in a free production of “Twelfth Night.”
“To say that we are reopening this next phase of the Public and we’re doing it with these four performers who have history and roots at the Public Theater just felt like an extraordinary way to imagine the production,” said Saheem Ali, the Public’s associate artistic director and resident director.
Ali picked William Shakespeare's romantic comedy “Twelfth Night” to christen the return in the summer of 2025, featuring immigrant characters among the shifting identities and revenge plots.
“I wanted something with life and joy and vitality that celebrated the city of New York,” he said. “The different levels of identity that the play operates under — I’ve always been fascinated by that.”
There's also a personal reason: “Twelfth Night” in Central Park was the first show Ali saw in New York when he first arrived from Boston in 2002. It was a Monday — the day Broadway traditionally is dark — so he went to Central Park.
“I stood in line. It was late in the day. I got one of the last tickets, and that was the first show that I ever saw in New York,” he recalled.
While “Modern Family” star Ferguson has performed in Central Park before, the revival will mark the Delacorte debuts of Nyong’o, Dinklage and Oh.
The Public’s free Shakespeare in the Park program is a beloved staple for both actors and audience, a place where you can hear a line like “My stars shine darkly over me,” delivered by an actor by moonlight.
“The best thing about that space is just being outdoors and being able to see the backdrop,” says Ali. “So, we’re preserving all the things about it that are magical in terms of the audience experience and making sure that the insides are as in top shape as they could be.”
The Delacorte opened in Central Park on June 18, 1962, with “The Merchant of Venice” starring George C. Scott. Since then, there have been usually two productions each summer, featuring stars such as James Earl Jones, Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Anne Hathaway.
“It’s at the heart of what we do at the Public,” said Ali, who earned a Tony Award nomination for directing “Fat Ham” on Broadway in 2023. “Once a year, you get to see the highest caliber of theater performers and designers and storytellers, and you get to do it for free.”
The $78 million venue overhaul is the first significant remodeling since the venue’s initial development. It will keep the theater’s current footprint and 1,872 seats, but upgrade them and the backstage, add durable and sustainable materials, improve the lights and audio systems, allow access for wheelchairs and reposition bathrooms. The changes could extend the season's programing into the fall.
Ali calls it a “gut renovation,” and one long overdue. “It’s been kind of duct tape and spit holding it together. So, it’s really extraordinary to have this opportunity to just really anchor it for the next few decades.”
Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
This combination of photos show, from left, Lupita Nyong’o, Sandra Oh, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Peter Dinklage, who will help reopen the newly revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park in a free production of “Twelfth Night.” (AP Photo)
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Hoping to show its first-round exit at the Copa America was a fluke, the United States instead displayed an alarming lack of intensity and an abundant defensive disarray that resulted in its first home loss to Canada since 1957.
Jacob Shaffelburg and Jonathan David scored off defensive misplays, and Canada dominated 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday for just its second win over the Americans in 27 matches over 99 years on U.S. soil.
While Jesse Marsch, Canada's American-born coach, glowed following a win over a team that bypassed him for its coaching opening last year, interim U.S. coach Mikey Varas rebuked himself and his players.
“The mentality is on the players. Sorry, they know it,” Varas said. “That mentality to fight and to run and to sacrifice, I can’t do that for them. I can’t do that for them. That’s on them.”
Coming off defeats to Panama and Uruguay at the Copa America, the U.S. has lost three straight games for the first time since 2015 against Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica. A defeat to New Zealand on Tuesday at Cincinnati would result in the Americans' first four-game losing streak since 2007.
“All over the park today, our mentality just wasn't quite there,” defender Chris Richards said.
Varas moved up from assistant after Gregg Berhalter was fired following the Copa America flop. The U.S. Soccer Federation has been trying to reach an agreement for Mauricio Pochettino to become the team’s 10th coach in 14 years but has not commented on the talks, which began in mid-August.
“You just never know how it’s going to translate from training to the game after three training sessions, and I asked a lot of them,” Varas said. “The first goal, that’s on me, both the goals, because when you don’t have a lot of time to work and you want to play a certain way, it creates confusion.”
Before a crowd of 10,523 in a just over half-full Children's Mercy Park, Shaffelburg put Canada ahead in the 17th minute after Tim Ream's pass bounced away from Johnny Cardoso. David added his 29th international goal in the 58th when Ream turned over the ball in front of his own goal.
Luca de la Torre scored his first international goal for the U.S. in the 66th minute off a pass from Aidan Morris, who entered with de la Torre four minutes earlier.
Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau used his right hand to bat away Ricardo Pepi’s open shot in the 86th.
“The translation of the ideas weren’t clear enough because you shouldn’t be static and you shouldn’t pass the ball just to pass the ball,” Varas said.
Canada hired Marsch as coach in May and finished fourth in the Copa America. He had interviewed in 2023 with the USSF before Berhalter was rehired that June.
“I'm not bitter,” Marsch said. “Most people, if they ask me a question, I answer it. That’s how I operate in the media.”
Canada outshot the U.S. 17-8, including 11-1 in the first half, and had a 31-12 margin in tackles, the worst differential for the Americans since a 2020 exhibition at Wales. The Canadians had been been winless in 23 consecutive games against the U.S. in America since a 3-2 victory at St. Louis in a World Cup qualifier on July 6, 1957.
“I’d much rather coach Canada than the U.S. right now,” Marsch said. “You can see the mentality that’s been developed. You can see the way this team plays. You can see how much they love playing for the national team and they’re willing to put their careers and lives and the way they play on the line to be the best they can be for each other and for the team.
Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made his second U.S. start and displaced Matt Turner, who hasn’t played a club match since April 2. Ream started following his transfer from Fulham to Charlotte.
No MLS players had started in the prior six matches and just eight of 198 starting positions have been been filled with MLS players in the 18 games the full pool has been available since the 2022 World Cup.
Canada went ahead when Schulte lingered on the ball after a backpass and played it wide to Ream, whose pass to Cardoso bounced away from the midfielder and was picked up by Stephen Eustáquio. He played the ball to David, who one-timed the ball to Shaffelburg. He took a touch and slid the ball past Schulte's left hand for his fourth goal in 17 international appearances.
David scored after taking Ream's giveaway and centering to Cyle Larin. Kristoffer Lund's challenge knocked the ball to David, who beat Schulte to the near post from 7 yards. David's 29 goals matched Larin for the Canada career scoring record.
De La Torre got his goal when the ball fell near his left foot 8 yards out after Joe Scally crossed on a counterattack to Morris, who spun into the penalty area.
“We just weren't intense enough at times,” de la Torre said.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Canada midfielder Ali Ahmed, left, and United States defender Kristoffer Lund (23) chase after the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Canada won 2-1. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Cyle Larin (9) and defender Moïse Bombito (15) compete for a head ball with United States defenders Tim Ream (13) and Kristoffer Lund (23) during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg scores a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against Canada, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
United States goalkeeper Patrick Schulte catches a high cross during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against Canada, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg (14) and United States forward Brenden Aaronson (11) chase after the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso (15) kicks the ball under pressure from Canada midfielder Mathieu Choiniere during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada defender Alphonso Davies beats United States defender Joe Scally (22) to the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg kicks to score a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against Canada, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg kicks to score a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against Canada, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Cyle Larin (9) and defender Moïse Bombito (15) compete for the ball with United States defenders Tim Ream (13) and Kristoffer Lund (23) during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Cyle Larin (9) reacts after missing a goal attempt during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada defender Moïse Bombito (15), goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau (16) and defender Joel Waterman (5) celebrate after their international friendly soccer game against United States , Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Canada won 2-1. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canadian players celebrate after a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada defenders Moïse Bombito, and Joel Waterman (5) celebrate after their international friendly soccer game against United States , Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Canada won 2-1. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg, second from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
