Bryant Park Presents Shakespeare to Stage Jazz-Infused MEASURE FOR MEASURE This September

Bryant Park Presents Shakespeare, part of the Bryant Park Presents series of free performances in the iconic park, concludes its 2016 season with a new production of Measure for Measure, produced by The Drilling Company (of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot fame) and directed by the company's Producing Artistic Director, Hamilton Clancy ("Orange Is the New Black," "Billions").

In this production, Vienna resembles New Orleans, where corruption in politics, conservative Catholic values and the wild living of Bourbon Street collide. Vincentio is the city's first black mayor, and must tread carefully as he attempts to uncover his city's true character.

Performances of Measure for Measure takes place September 1-17 (see above schedule) at Bryant Park's Upper Terrace, located at 6th Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan. Critics are welcome as of September 2. All performances are free and open to the public. For more information, call 212.873.9050 or visit www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/bryantparkpresents or www.drillingcompany.org.

The Measure for Measure cast features Emmanuel Elpenord (As You Like It), Eric Paterniani (Two Gentlemen of Verona, Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It), Lukas Raphael (Hamlet, Taming of the Shrew) and Ivory Aquino, who appears this fall in the seven-part ABC mini-series "When We Rise."

The creative team includes Jennifer Varbalow (set design), Tyler Learned (lighting design) and Laurie Dick (costume design).

IF YOU GO:

Bryant Park Presents Shakespeare
Measure for Measure
By William Shakespeare
Produced by The Drilling Company

Directed by Hamilton Clancy
Set design by Jennifer Varbalow
Lighting design by Tyler Learned
Costume design by Laurie Dick

Cast includes Ivory Aquino, Emmanuel Elpenord, Eric Paterniani, and Lukas Raphael

September 1-17, 2016 (10 performances)
Thursdays, 9pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 7pm; Sunday, Sept 4, 3pm
Upper Terrace
Bryant Park, 6th Avenue at 42nd Street, Manhattan.
Performances are free and open to the public.
Info: 212-873-9050; www.drillingcompany.org; www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/bryantparkpresents

Having provided free Shakespeare for an estimated 20,000 theatergoers in 2014 and 2015, Bryant Park is now offering these classics as part of Bryant Park Presents, an outdoor performing arts series with over 50 free events. The Drilling Company, known for its intrepid, bare-bones Shakespeare in the Parking Lot productions, is exclusive producer of the Park's Shakespeare offerings.

The Drilling Company is well known as the producer of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot (www.shakespeareintheparkinglot.com), a series of free Shakespeare productions that have been presented on the Lower East Side for over 20 years. This is the 22nd season of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot and the Drilling Company's tenth year as sole producer of the event. In addition to its Shakespeare work, The Drilling Company supports the production of new plays. In 2013, its critically acclaimed production The Norwegians was cited as one of the best surprises of the season by The New York Times, and ran for 186 performances.

The Drilling Company made its Bryant Park debut in 2014 with Hamlet-the inaugural production of a series then called Bryant Park Shakespeare. The troupe has already presented Much Ado Nothing and As You Like It in summer 2016. Last year, Bryant Park invited the troupe back for a three-show season including Two Gentlemen of Verona, Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew. The midtown location is a most welcome new New York venue for free Shakespeare. Food kiosks serve affordable meals, comfortable restrooms are close at hand, and there is seating for large crowds. Best of all, there is never any waiting in line for tickets.

Bryant Park Presents is a performing arts series that creates adventurous and immersive outdoor cultural experiences in the middle of Midtown Manhattan. The season, April 22 - September 17, comprises more than 50 events spanning a broad range of concerts, dance and theater performances, dance parties, and more. All events are held free of charge in icoNic Bryant Park, an oasis in a canyon of skyscrapers.

Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), a private not-for-profit company, was founded in 1980 to renovate, finance and operate Bryant Park in New York City. BPC is funded by income from concessions, corporate sponsors and events, as well as an assessment on neighboring properties, and does not accept government or philanthropic monies. In addition to providing security, sanitation, and horticultural services tending the park, notably the lush lawn and seasonal garden displays, BPC provides public amenities, programming and activities, including Bryant Park Presents, plus movable chairs and tables, cafe umbrellas, restaurants, food kiosks, world-class restrooms, and a wide range of other free events throughout the year. The Midtown Manhattan park is visited by more than six million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world. Visit BPC's website, www.bryantpark.org, for more information and a schedule of upcoming events.

Patrons of Bryant Park are subject to the rules of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

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