Shakespeare Under the Stars: Much Ado About Nothing, Featuring Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe, Opens in Central Park

The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Much Ado About Nothing celebrates its opening night on June 16 at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater. The free production, directed by Jack O’Brien, brings the Bard’s comedy to sunny Sicily at the turn of the 20th century. The play stars Lily Rabe, Hamish Linklater, Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell and Steel Burkhardt.

To celebrate the season launch of the New York summer tradition, Broadway.com resident artist Justin “Squigs” Robertson penned this portrait of Shakespeare’s princes, lovers and more. The sketch features Rabe as Beatrice and Linklater as Benedick, as well as Ismenia Mendes as Hero, Jack Cutmore-Scott as Claudio, John Glover as Leonato, Mitchell as Don Pedro and Pedro Pascal as Don John.

Happy opening to the cast of Much Ado!



About the Artist: With a desire to celebrate the magic of live theater and those who create it, and with a deep reverence for such touchstones as the work of Al Hirschfeld and the wall at Sardi’s, Squigs is happy and grateful to be among those carrying on the traditions where theater and caricature meet. He was born and raised in Oregon, lived in Los Angeles for quite a long time and now calls New York City his home.