Ragtime will begin performances May 18, prior to an official opening May 28, and will run in rep through Sept. 8. A Midsummer Night’s Dream will begin performances June 2, prior to an official opening June 11, for a run in rep through Sept. 5.

Both shows will be designed by Jon Bausor, with costumes by Laura Hopkins. Sheader and Steel have previously collaborated at Regent’s Park on Lord of the Flies, The Crucible and Into the Woods, and in the West End on Imagine This.

Ragtime, previously presented in the West End at the Piccadilly Theatre in 2003, has been seen twice on Broadway: The original production ran at the Ford Center in 1998, and more recently a revival came to New York by way of Washington, DC,  in 2009 in a short-lived run at the Neil Simon Theatre.

In a press statement, Sheader commented, "What has proved exciting at Regent’s Park over the past few years are productions that embrace scale, both physically and in their narrative.  The titles for 2012, each with their own particular ambition, are united in their exploration of space, light and the changing atmosphere of theatre in the open air."

The season coincides with the Olympics being staged in London over the summer, and for all performances July 25-Aug. 12 the theatre will introduce significantly lower Olympic ticket pricing of £20.12. In a press statement, the theatre’s executive director William Village commented, "2012 will be a remarkable year for us all in London and with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre now a firm fixture in the cultural landscape, we look forward to welcoming even more people to what will be two major productions in the theatrical calendar."

Priority booking for members opens Oct. 25, with public booking from Nov. 29. To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 482 5170.