Shakespeare in the Park announces 2010 line-up

The Public Theater's 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season will present two Shakespeare plays in repertory giving audiences eight straight weeks of free Shakespeare. Under directors Daniel Sullivan and Michael Greif, the same company of actors will perform in both The Winter's Tale and The Merchant of Venice on rotating nights.

The Merchant of Venice will be directed by Daniel Sullivan and The Winter's Tale will be directed by Michael Greif. Previews for Shakespeare in the Park 2010 will begin on 9 Jun 2009 and run through to 1 Aug 2010.

Casting and design teams to be announced at a later date.

Shakespeare in the Park 2010 is not The Public Theater's first foray into rotating repertory. 'Henry IV,' Parts One and Two were performed in rep in the Newman Theater in 1991, and 20 years earlier, the 'Henry VI' plays and 'Richard III 'were condensed into 'The War of the Roses' which was presented in rep and then performed in one all-night marathon in Central Park.

"This is a major step for The Public," said Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. "Continuity of work is the key to great theater of all kinds; this is especially true for Shakespeare. The particular delights of repertory for an audience are meaningful; the depth of artistic work it allows for actors is inimitable."

Daniel Sullivan (Director, The Merchant of Venice) directed the 2009 Shakespeare in the Park production of 'Twelfth Night.' Also at The Public, he has directed 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (2007), 'Stuff Happens' (2006) and 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' (1994). Sullivan is a seasoned Broadway producer who has helmed more than 20 Broadway productions. He won a Tony for his production of 'Proof' and received nominations for 'The Heidi Chronicles,' 'Conversations With My Father,' 'The Sisters Rosensweig,' 'Morning's at Seven' and 'Rabbit Hole.' Sullivan served as Artistic Director of Seattle Repertory Theatre, where he directed more than 60 productions. His film and television credits include 'The Substance of Fire' and 'Far East.'

Michael Greif (Director, The Winter's Tale) directed the 2007 Shakespeare in the Park revival of 'Romeo and Juliet' at The Public, as well as Diana Son's 'Satellites,' the launch performance of Suzan-Lori Parks's 365 Days / 365 Plays, 'Fucking A,' 'Dogeaters '(Obie), 'Marisol,' 'Pericles,' 'Casanova,' 'A Bright Room Called Day,' and 'Machinal' (Obie). He is currently represented on Broadway with the musical 'Next To Normal,' for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. Other Tony nomination productions include 'Grey Gardens' and 'Rent.' Greif is an Artistic Associate at New York Theatre Workshop, where his credits include 'Cavedweller,' 'Bright Lights, Big City,' and 'Rent.'