Shake up Shakespeare

Shake up Shakespeare

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Think you know Shakespeare? These pieces flip the script on the classics to give you something totally new. From pop-music sequels and rowdy drinking games to gritty, modern-day thrillers, this collection proves these old stories are still wild, loud, and anything but boring.

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. He wrote 39 plays and 154 sonnets between roughly 1589 and 1613, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and King Lear.

Why is Shakespeare important to theater?

Shakespeare established many of the dramatic structures, character types, and emotional vocabulary that modern theater still uses. His work has been continuously performed for over 400 years and translated into every major language, making him the most-staged playwright in history.

Is The Lion King a Shakespeare adaptation?

Yes. Disney's The Lion King is loosely based on Hamlet, with a young prince exiled after his father's murder by his uncle and his return to reclaim the throne. The Broadway musical retains the story structure while adding new music and African staging influences.

What musicals are based on Shakespeare plays?

Broadway musicals based on Shakespeare include West Side Story (Romeo and Juliet), Kiss Me, Kate (The Taming of the Shrew), & Juliet (a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet), and Something Rotten! (set in Shakespeare's London). Disney's The Lion King also adapts Hamlet.

How do I see Shakespeare in the Park for free?

Free Shakespeare in the Park is produced each summer by The Public Theater at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Tickets are distributed via lottery, and standard lottery entries can be made through TodayTix and The Public's website.