Starting June 25, The New York Public Theater will be hosting its 50th annual installment of Shakespeare in the park. This year's addition will be featuring two plays.

The first, "As You Like It", Runs from June 25-July 17. Directed by Mark Lamos, the play takes place in the anomalous Forest of Arden, were the princess Rosalind and her cousin Celia find independence and love in the poetry draped canopy. The Public describes "As You Like It" as "a gem of philosophy and desire, gender confusion and romantic fantasy."

The second play, "Two Gentlemen From Verona", will be taking place from August 16-September 11. Adapted by John Guare and Mel Shapiro and Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, the play has undertaken a transformation into a performance musical. "Two Gentlemen of Verona" is a comedy that infuses love, sex and mistaken identities to the backdrop of big city life.

Limited free tickets are available the day of the performance starting at 1pm at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, or from 1 to 3 pm at The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street. If you don't want to wait in line, you can always purchase tickets through the Public Theater for an ample 100.00 dollars a piece. All performances begin at 8 p.m.

The performances take place at the incredible Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Held in the spirit of the ancient dramas performed in Greece, the Amphitheatre is open air, and offers the beautiful setting of central park in the summer time as a backdrop; complete with the rising moon, singing birds, and earthen aromas. To get to the Delacorte Theater go to the 79th Street and Fifth Ave. entrance of Central Park, and follow the footpath. You shouldn't have any problems spotting it, just look for a giant wooden Amphitheatre with a castle behind it.

Below I have attached the complete schedule for all performances this season:

AS YOU LIKE IT - by William Shakespeare, directed by Mark Lamos

Saturday, June 25, 2005
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Friday, July 01, 2005
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Friday, July 08, 2005
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Monday, July 11, 2005
Sunday, July 10, 2005*
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Friday, July 15, 2005
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Sunday, July 17, 2005

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA - Based on the play by William Shakespeare Adapted by John Guare & Mel Shapiro, Lyrics by John Guare, Music by Galt MacDermot, Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall

Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Sunday, August 28, 2005*
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Friday, September 02, 2005
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Friday, September 09, 2005
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Sunday, September 11, 2005

My first time in New York was last summer for the July 4 weekend, and my first experience in the city was to go to Shakespeare in Central Park to see "Much A Do About Nothing". There is truly something surreal and powerful about seeing Shakespeare in this setting. If you have the chance to see a performance this season, don't miss the opportunity, it's an experience that will leave a lasting impression.