The Rivals' Mark Lamos, a Tony nominee for his direction of Our Country's Good, will helm Shakespeare's As You Like It, which will run June 25-July 17. Outgoing Public Theater producer George C. Wolfe will direct the second summer Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Dream is scheduled to play the Delacorte Aug. 9-Sept. 4. Summer 2005 will mark the first time in four years that the Public has presented two separate Shakespeare productions. Public Theater executive director Mara Manus told the Times that increased donations for the Public's 50th anniversary will allow two productions this coming summer. "Financially, we're in a much better place," explained Manus.
In summer 2004, Shakespeare in Central Park presented Much Ado About Nothing. Jimmy Smits starred as the cocky Benedick with Kristen Johnston as the stubborn Beatrice.
