Following an 18-month closure, the Delacorte Theater in New York City officially reopened on July 15 after an extensive $85 million renovation. The reopening ceremony was led by Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater, and featured prominent New York officials as well as celebrated actors, celebrating this landmark venue’s revival.
The renovation marks the first major update to the open-air Delacorte Theater since its founding in 1962 by Joseph Papp. Eustis highlighted the theater’s mission as a free public venue dedicated to the residents of New York City, emphasizing the importance of maintaining accessibility and public ownership. He stated,
“So this renovation, which is so important to us, has made a theatre that is free—because the theatre, itself and everything we make within it, is the property of the people of New York,”
and added,
“You own it, we’re just the stewards of it. It is accessible, because it needs to belong to everybody in New York.”
Details of the Renovation and Accessibility Improvements
Designed by Ennead Architects, the renovation introduced a striking new exterior crafted from reclaimed redwood sourced from decommissioned water towers across all five boroughs of New York. The upgrades significantly improved accessibility with new gates featuring accessible entrances, alongside additional ramps, elevators, and lifts for both audience members and performers. The seating capacity was expanded to 1,866, including 34 ADA-compliant seats—20 more than previously available—and the chairs were widened for enhanced comfort.
Backstage areas also received major improvements, including air-conditioned dressing rooms supporting the comfort of actors and crew. Furthermore, the Central Park Conservancy contributed to refurbishing the theater’s bathrooms, managed by New York City parks. The announcement of new stalls in the women’s restroom was met with enthusiastic applause from those attending the event.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Key Speakers
The celebration included remarks from influential figures involved in the renovation and New York’s cultural community. Among the speakers were Luis A. Miranda Jr., Chair of The Public Theater’s Board; producer Arielle Tepper; Executive Director of The Public Patrick Willingham; Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs; and City Council Member Carlina Rivera. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, also a recent mayoral candidate, delivered a poetic address weaving Shakespearean references with contemporary challenges.
Lander opened with a playful take on Hamlet, stating,
“To renovate or not to renovate, that was the question. Whether it was nobler in this space to suffer the slings and arrows of quite predictable fortune, or to take arms against a sea of raccoons, and by construction, thwart them,”
before reflecting on political tensions involving President Trump and his own recent ICE arrest. He continued,
“What a time to reopen this stage with enemies of culture on the prowl, pitting fear and faux populist rage against empathy….Our tyrant locks up immigrants, comptrollers too, and sow chaos, no matter the cost. So what’s a Public Theater to do to ensure that our democracy is not lost? Happily, one answer is right here in new seats and stage for all New York to see, our hearts and our democracy restored through Shakespeare that uplifts us all for free.”
Performances by Sandra Oh, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Peter Dinklage
The event featured performances by acclaimed actors Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sandra Oh, and Peter Dinklage, who will all star in the upcoming production of Twelfth Night opening on August 7. Each actor delivered monologues from various Shakespeare plays, underscoring the theater’s continuous commitment to presenting classical works for free to the public.
Funding and Future Plans for The Public Theater
The $85 million renovation was supported by a combination of public and private funding sources. The City of New York contributed $42 million, distributed through the Mayor’s Office, New York City Council, and the Manhattan Borough President’s Office, while New York State Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell provided an additional $1 million. This project is a part of the larger $175 million Forever Public campaign, which not only supports the Delacorte but also funds renovations of The Public Theater’s downtown rehearsal spaces and establishes the Fund for Free Theater endowment to ensure ongoing accessibility.
The reopening of the Delacorte Theater reaffirms its role as a vital cultural institution in New York City, offering free theatrical experiences to all residents and visitors. With enhanced facilities and renewed community investment, the venue is positioned to continue its mission of accessible, public theater while adapting to modern needs.
