Over 75 performances are included in the festival that offers free arts programming throughout 21 parks in New York City's five boroughs from July through August.
Theatrical offerings include Theater in a Box: Essential Shakespeare/Dream A Little Dream, presented by the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Continuum Company. According to press notes "Love Changes Everything. 4 Teenagers. 2 Fairies. 1 Donkey. All the twists and turns of Shakespeare's classic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream packed into a little over an hour. What could go wrong?" (Von King Park, Brooklyn July 24 & 25; Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan July 31 & Aug. 1; East River Park, Manhattan Aug. 4).
The commission of Chisa Hutchinson's Dirt Rich will receive its premiere as part of the festival. Kristin Horton will direct the work which "revolves around a group of urban pre-teens after they find money buried beneath their playground." (Von King Park, Brooklyn July 23; Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan July 29 & 30; East River Park, Manhattan Aug. 5; St. Mary's Park, Bronx Aug. 11).
Aku Kadog will direct Jessica Care Moore's God is Not an American, a fusion of poetry, video, and live music which explores "the concept of God, race, the war in Iraq, genocide, and other social and political issues." (Von King Park, Brooklyn July 21 & 22; Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan July 28).
Witness Relocation will offer the dance-theatre installation piece Dancing vs. The Rat Experiment (East River Park, Manhattan Aug. 8; St. Mary's Park, Bronx Aug. 14 & 15); while Tamilla Woodard will direct Alfonso Carcamo's Decomposition, which "tracks the treachery and friendship of two Mexican men from different sides of the track." (St. Mary's Park, Bronx August 12 & 13). The final theatrical offering will be National Theater of the USA's Chautauqua!, which made its world premiere to acclaim at PS 122 this past winter. The work "combines the history of American popular art and entertainment, the culture of commerce and the commerce of culture - our intellectual and political heritage." (East River Park, Manhattan Aug. 6 & 7).
For additional programming and detailed scheduling, visit CityParksFoundation.
