Patrick Page, Richard Thomas & More Set for 5th Annual Shakespeare's Birthday Sonnet Slam Today

The 5th Annual Shakespeare's Birthday Sonnet Slam will be held today, April 24 from 1-4pm at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park.

The Bandshell is located mid-park south of Bethesda Terrace between 66th and 72nd streets.

The Sonnet Slam features 154 volunteer readers of all ages performing all 154 of Shakespeare's Sonnets in numerical order. The event is free and open to the public.

Noted participants this year include Richard Thomas, Patrick Page, Vivienne Benesch, Peter Francis James, and British Deputy Consul General Nick Astbury.

Producer Melinda Hall created the Sonnet Slam in 2011 for the people of New York to celebrate Shakespeare. "I wanted to create a unique opportunity for the Sonneteer and Shakespeare to be together on the Bandshell stage, even if it's only for a minute."

The Sonnet Slam is held in rain or shine.