theater and dance
Central to Our Summer
Free Shakespeare in the ParkDelacorte Theatre, Central Park
Free
publictheater.org/Programs--Events/Shakespeare-in-the-Park
What would summer in the city be without Shakespeare in the Park? Here’s hoping we never find out. Instead, appreciate that Tony-Award-winning director Kenny Leon is putting together a modern take on “Much Ado About Nothing.” That’s from May 21 through June 23. Then from July 16 through Aug. 11 another Tony winner, Daniel Sullivan, directs the more rarely produced “Coriolanus,” last seen here in 1979.
Tony Queen, Back on the Boards“Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune”Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street
Tickets: $59 and up
Some cities shut down the theaters during the summer. You don’t live in one of those places. Instead, you can welcome Audra McDonald (six Tony awards!) and Michael Shannon to Broadway’s lineup this summer, with the dynamic theatrical duo’s version of Terrence McNally’s romantic and funny/sad play, “Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune.”
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Lincoln CenterDavid Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center PlazaJune 12-16
Tickets: $29 and up
Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, the famous Alvin Ailey troupe makes a seven-performance summertime jaunt to Lincoln Center. On tap for this engagement: a world premiere by Darrell Grand Moultrie, a special program honoring Carmen de Lavallade and a one-night-only Ailey Spirit Gala benefit celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Ailey School.