Theater Update: 10 years of the ‘Hamilton’ effect
Shakespeare (and raccoons) at the Delacorte; ‘Maybe Happy Ending’; Edinburgh Fringe
Theater Update
August 6, 2025

Dear Theater Fans,

This is an exciting week for those of you who love Shakespeare, the great outdoors and history. And if you love all three, you’ll certainly be over the moon.

The Delacorte Theater in Central Park — home of the Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park — is reopening tomorrow after an $85 million renovation. This summer it’s hosting a starry production of “Twelfth Night,” led by Lupita Nyong’o, Sandra Oh and Peter Dinklage. Stars of productions past, including Liev Schreiber, Danai Gurira and Christine Baranski, spoke to Rachel Sherman about what makes performing Shakespeare at the Delacorte so “magical” — despite the threat of resident raccoons stealing their spotlight. The anecdotes are as delightful as Sara Krulwich’s beautiful photographs.

In Wisconsin, Northern Sky Theater does not allow Shakespeare on its outdoor amphitheater stage in scenic Door County. But riffs on Shakespeare are welcome! That’s because the theater, which Elisabeth Vincentelli visited recently and wrote about, programs original musicals “anchored in local history, institutions, archetypes and customs.”

Back in New York City, Broadway is celebrating the 10th anniversary of “Hamilton,” that little show about a founding father who “got a lot farther by working a lot harder.” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s juggernaut of a musical opened on Aug. 6, 2015, and ushered in a new era of race-conscious casting, audience outreach and even stardom. Jesse Green, Alexis Soloski and some of our other colleagues examined nine ways of looking at the changes the musical wrought. One is the abundance of talented performers of color it’s brought to the stage, evidenced by this fun cover of “For the Longest Time” by Broadway’s original Schuyler Sisters.

Please reach out to me at theaterfeedback@nytimes.com with suggestions for stories or to offer your thoughts about our coverage. And urge your friends to subscribe to this newsletter.

Have a wonderful week,
Nicole Herrington
Theater Editor

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NEWS AND FEATURES

Performers spread across a stage are standing on boxes as they stand with their arms at their sides as they look out from the stage.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

The ‘Hamilton’ Effect: 10 Revolutionary Years on Broadway

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s much-loved musical opened on Broadway a decade ago, ushering in a new era of race-conscious casting, audience outreach and even stardom.

By The New York Times

A woman with an accordion stands center stage while dozens of young children and adults perform around here

Upstaged by Raccoons? The Joys of Playing Shakespeare in Central Park.

‘You realize you’re being upstaged by an animal that’s completely unpredictable’: As the Delacorte Theater reopens, actors and others recall their favorite memories.

By Rachel Sherman and Sara Krulwich

A modern building with vertical slats on its exterior, surrounded by landscaped foliage.

Lauren Lancaster for The New York Times

Production Manager at Jacob’s Pillow Is Killed in ‘Tragic Accident,’ Center Says

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By Aishvarya Kavi

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‘Maybe Happy Ending’ Casting Change Ignites Debate About Representation

When the show said Andrew Barth Feldman, a white actor, would replace Darren Criss, who is of Filipino descent, alarms were sounded by some Asian American actors.

By Derrick Bryson Taylor

STRATFORD FESTIVAL

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Critic’s Notebook

On Canada’s Top Stage, Macbeth and Annie Are Talking to Americans

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By Jesse Green

EDINBURGH FRINGE

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Robert Ormerod for The New York Times

A Breaking Musical Is a Fringe Hit. Just Don’t Mention Raygun.

The Australian breaker tried to shut down a musical about her. Now, it’s attracting dancing crowds at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

By Alex Marshall

An acrobat balances on a ring at the end of a pole in front of a stone building.

In Photos

At Edinburgh Fringe, the Streets Are Alive

Thousands of performers were hawking their shows on the first weekend of the Scottish arts extravaganza.

By Jaime Molina

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Andy Haslam for The New York Times

Edinburgh Fringe Can Bring Artists Fame, but Money’s Another Matter

The venue that hosted “Baby Reindeer” is back from the financial brink, but many performers still say the risk of taking part in the festival is too high.

By Jillian Rayfield

ROBERT WILSON, 1941-2025

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Julien Mignot for The New York Times

Robert Wilson, Provocative Playwright and Director, Is Dead at 83

He upended theatrical norms with his own stunningly visualized works and his collaborations with a wide range of artists, from Philip Glass (“Einstein on the Beach”) to Lady Gaga.

By Allan Kozinn

A scene from an opera shows six performers in various poses, surrounded by a set that includes the silhouette of a train and a beam of light.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

An Appraisal

Robert Wilson Expanded Our Sense of Theatrical Possibility

Wilson, who died this week at 83, created works of otherworldly dreaminess that were also deeply human.

By Zachary Woolfe

THEATER GUIDES

Elizabeth McGovern smiling onstage as she smokes a cigarette and holds a glass of wine.

Jeff Lorch

A Dozen Off Broadway Shows to Energize Your August

Elizabeth McGovern channels Ava Gardner, a starry “Twelfth Night” reopens the Delacorte and Luke Newton of “Bridgerton” plays Alexander McQueen.

By Laura Collins-Hughes