Rick Anderson Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

Location: Mid-Park at 80th Street -- Southwest corner of the Great Lawn

The outdoor Delacorte Theater is the summer home of the annual "Shakespeare in the Park" production. Begun in 1957by Joseph Papp as part of the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival the annual productions draw thousands to the open air theater in the heart of Central Park. Originally built as a temporary structure in 1962, the Delacorte Theater is the setting for the continuing series.
The theater is semi-circular in shape and the audience is treated to the sight the lovely summer landscape forming a backdrop to the stage. This includes Turtle Pond and the almost dreamlike vista of Belvedere Castle looking down from above.

For more information on how to get tickets click on The Public Theater

FYI : Joseph Papp’s original name was JOSEPH PAPIROFSKY (b. June 22, 1921, Brooklyn, New York, N.Y., U.S.--d. Oct. 31, 1991, New York, N.Y.), American theatrical producer and director, founder of the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Public Theatre. He was a major innovative force in the American theater in the second half of the 20th century.