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Downloaded from
YTS.MX
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[TV static drones]
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[bright tone]
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Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.MX
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- [groans]
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It's been a long,
hard year, y'all.
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A long, hard year.
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Couldn't go to bars,
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couldn't hit up the clubs,
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liquor stores close all early.
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Just stuck in the house
eating snacks,
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bored out my goddamn mind.
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If y'all know
what I'm talking about,
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let me hear you say,
"Hell, yeah."
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all: Hell, yeah.
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- So can you blame me
for wanting to get
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with Madam Page and Madam Ford?
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Huh?
Them some merry wives, man.
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Just as fine
as they want to be, right?
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Beautiful, right?
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I mean, look, if y'all know
what I'm talking about
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and you feel for me,
let me hear you say,
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"We feel you, Falstaff!"
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all: We feel you, Falstaff!
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- Thank you!
[laughter]
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- Here is the twin
of thy letter.
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[intriguing orchestral music]
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- No!
- Mm.
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If he come
under my hatches, hey!
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I would sink.
- Because he's so big.
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[both laugh]
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[both sigh shrilly]
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- We lived a time
when we were pushed inside.
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Not a hug or held hand
was felt worldwide.
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Spirits, guide us
in this time anew,
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when we recognize
a reckoning due,
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for our hues and lives matter.
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Full stop.
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[cheers and applause]
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Spirits!
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♪ ♪
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[gentle orchestral music]
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♪ ♪
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- [sighs]
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These are
all playbill albums, full.
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And then there's some more
over there.
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These up here--
[laughs]
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All of these on the top
are Black shows, you know--
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[laughs]
Not that I don't care
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about the others, but I just
wanted to categorize.
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And I don't have them
in order of, like,
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who--you know, which ones
are important or anything.
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Oh, there's my play!
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Look at that.
Yay, "School Girls."
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I never thought I'd get here.
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I never thought
I'd have a office.
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[laughs]
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I never thought
I'd have a lot of things.
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Truly, truly.
I'm not one of those people
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who are like,
"It was always in my sights."
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It was in my sights, but it
never felt like a reality.
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Almost every story that centers
around Black people
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is about pain,
is about some sort of struggle,
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is about overcoming.
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And that's not to say that
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that's not
what my shows are about either.
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They're overcoming something.
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That's, you know, kind of the
purpose of a story is, like,
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to show somebody moving
through some sort of adversity,
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but being told in a lens
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that feels
like you can enjoy it,
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that it's not going to,
like, bring your spirit down,
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we don't have enough
of those stories.
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- You know,
the summer of 2020,
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as I was gearing up
to do "Richard II,"
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George Floyd was murdered
the week
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before our first rehearsal.
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And it really,
really made theater feel,
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like, so unimportant.
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It made it feel, like,
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so frivolous, you know.
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It was like, in this moment
when we're talking
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about the racial reckoning
in this country
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and Black lives,
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like, should we be
doing Shakespeare?
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And as a community,
as a collective,
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we decided that,
you know, art and activism
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can actually live side by side.
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Finding "Merry Wives,"
finding a way in that--
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where the concept was
about Black joy,
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that happened
because of last summer.
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That happened because
of George Floyd being murdered.
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That happened because of COVID,
you know?
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All these things led
to this production.
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- Thank you, folks.
We are back.
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We are officially back.
Thank you.
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[intriguing orchestral music]
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♪ ♪
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- This is the public theater
costume storage.
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It's archival,
but it's also active.
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This was--Denzel Washington
did a "Richard III"
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at the Delacorte.
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And this is Patrick Stewart
from "Tempest."
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A couple of
"Twelfth Nights,"
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this is what Anne Hathaway gets
washed up onstage in.
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Al Pacino's
"Merchant of Venice"
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with Lily Rabe.
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My first show that I saw
in New York in 1975
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when I moved here
was "Trelawny of the 'Wells'"
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with a new actress
named Meryl Streep.
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And these were
her debut costumes
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in "Trelawny of the 'Wells'"
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It's like the history
of the Shakespeare Festival
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all in one corner.
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So all of this stuff
in normal times
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would've been put away,
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put back on the rails
for future use.
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But when we all went home,
this stopped.
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So now we've got
to get caught up.
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I remember being stunned
when Vanessa,
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my associate, came in and said,
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"They've just
shut the city down."
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And I kept saying to her,
"What do you mean?
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You can't shut New York down."
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And she just goes,
"Yeah, we all have to go home."
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[car horn honks]
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- [sighs]
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[grunts]
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March 2020 for me
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was like the first episode
of "Walking Dead,"
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because I went
into the hospital
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on March 10th with COVID,
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and when I came out,
the theater had closed.
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[soft dramatic music]
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♪ ♪
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It started to feel
like this is apocalyptic.
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[insects chirping]
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And I think when George Floyd
was murdered,
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that was psychically a bigger
deal than even the pandemic.
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We are recognizing
our weaknesses
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and the ways that we have
failed our community.
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- Hands up!
all: Don't shoot!
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- Hands up!
all: Don't shoot!
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- This is fundamentally
a democratic theater,
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and the culture belongs
to everybody.
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And that's both
everybody should get to see it,
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everybody should get
to watch it and receive it,
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but also everybody
should get to make it.
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- So this is the space
where we'll be rehearsing.
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These are, like, the,
like, temporary set pieces.
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So all the walls
and the turntable,
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they're actually to scale,
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so this is the actual size.
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The thing about the space--
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I grew up in Nairobi
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until I was
in my early 20s.
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I moved to the U.S.
for college.
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Front of it.
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And then this is Falstaff's
bedroom on that side--
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I came
as a computer science major,
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and I switched my major
to theater.
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I didn't tell my parents,
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because they were not
gonna approve of that.
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We're on page 79.
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It was just undeniable.
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Like, that was the thing
that I had to do.
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So, yeah, this is the model
of "Merry Wives."
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You know, the stores are below
and their apartments are above,
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Like, that's a very,
like, New York thing.
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You know, where I'm from,
life is not like this.
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So it feels
like such a beautiful,
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like, slice of New York City.
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Very first time when I was
reading the script,
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the first image that came
to my mind was these two women
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in a braiding salon,
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'cause it's the two wives,
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and they're getting
these letters from Falstaff,
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and I was, like, hearing
the West African dialect
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and just
picturing these two women
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getting their hair
braided and, like,
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exchanging letters,
and I was like, wow.
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That's, like, it, that--
'cause I was looking
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for the concept, I was looking
for the way in which
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this was going to feel,
like, unique and contemporary
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but also a world
that I find hilarious.
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Because when I read the play,
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I just heard it
with those dialects,
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and I was like,
this is so much funnier,
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when it's in, like,
a Nigerian or a Ghanian accent.
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So we're
in a corner of New York,
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and there's a turntable here
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so that we can kind of
switch locations
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from time to time,
so this rotates...
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Into what's--
this is Falstaff's bedroom.
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And then when it rotates
to this side,
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you have the laundromat.
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00:09:46,250 --> 00:09:48,459
And we're gonna get, like,
actual laundry machines
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that, like,
can actually spin around.
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I think it would be funny.
We're gonna try and get, like,
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Falstaff to, like,
go in and hide--
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try and hide when the husbands
are coming in,
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in one of the laundry machines.
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And it's kind of
green and white,
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because the Fords are Nigerian,
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and Nigerians are very proud
of their colors.
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00:10:05,125 --> 00:10:06,876
Like, their flag,
like, you know, they--
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00:10:06,959 --> 00:10:09,375
they, like,
plaster that shit everywhere.
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Beowulf and I really wanted
to give a sense
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of a street in Manhattan.
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So just the sense
of architecture, the buildings,
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the way the street corners are,
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so we feel
like we're in New York.
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00:10:23,125 --> 00:10:25,751
- We spent, like, endless days
just kind of biking around
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00:10:25,834 --> 00:10:27,751
just to look at the buildings
and see what is specific
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00:10:27,834 --> 00:10:30,042
and different from, you know,
Central Park West...
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00:10:30,125 --> 00:10:31,209
- Yeah.
- Or the Upper East Side
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00:10:31,292 --> 00:10:32,918
or wherever.
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We've got these details that
are pulled very specifically
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00:10:35,626 --> 00:10:36,751
from the neighborhood...
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00:10:36,834 --> 00:10:38,500
- Mm-hmm.
- To reference the reality
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00:10:38,584 --> 00:10:40,250
of New York in 2021.
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How do I show that?
- Mm.
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00:10:43,083 --> 00:10:44,876
- The sense of the old
and the new
224
00:10:44,959 --> 00:10:46,876
and these different cultures
that are coming together
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00:10:46,959 --> 00:10:48,459
to make this kind of
New York block
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00:10:48,542 --> 00:10:49,834
in this New York neighborhood.
- Right.
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00:10:49,918 --> 00:10:52,792
[soft dramatic music]
228
00:10:52,876 --> 00:10:59,834
♪ ♪
229
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- A favorite New York City
tradition halted
230
00:11:02,125 --> 00:11:05,167
during the pandemic is planning
a comeback this summer.
231
00:11:05,250 --> 00:11:09,500
- I am happy to say the bard
is back in Central Park.
232
00:11:09,584 --> 00:11:11,667
[tool motor revving]
233
00:11:11,751 --> 00:11:14,584
Shakespeare in the Park
is the epitome
234
00:11:14,667 --> 00:11:16,167
of the New York ideal.
235
00:11:17,667 --> 00:11:21,918
And no place represents
all of us more
236
00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:25,042
than right here where we are,
the Delacorte Theater.
237
00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:29,876
For this to be coming back
238
00:11:29,959 --> 00:11:32,792
is a great harbinger
of better things to come
239
00:11:32,876 --> 00:11:34,459
in New York City.
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00:11:40,292 --> 00:11:41,334
- Hands on.
241
00:11:41,417 --> 00:11:43,334
- For laughing together,
for crying together,
242
00:11:43,417 --> 00:11:46,459
for getting sunburned
waiting in line together.
243
00:11:46,542 --> 00:11:50,751
This collective experience
is what makes New York special.
244
00:11:50,834 --> 00:11:53,334
- We're excited to fill
this theater with laughter,
245
00:11:53,417 --> 00:11:56,500
with radical Black joy, and
to celebrate the rich diversity
246
00:11:56,584 --> 00:11:58,334
that New York City has
to offer.
247
00:12:00,709 --> 00:12:03,834
[indistinct chatter]
248
00:12:06,042 --> 00:12:07,792
- I think next
to both of the movers
249
00:12:07,876 --> 00:12:10,834
is gonna be the best decision.
250
00:12:10,918 --> 00:12:12,542
- Yeah.
251
00:12:18,167 --> 00:12:20,417
- Hold there.
both: Holding.
252
00:12:27,167 --> 00:12:28,918
- Can you imagine?
There's gonna be people here.
253
00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:31,000
[laughs]
254
00:12:33,876 --> 00:12:35,334
- Is Falstaff here?
255
00:12:35,417 --> 00:12:38,000
- Fe--fe--fe--fe--him?
- Yes!
256
00:12:38,083 --> 00:12:40,000
- "Merry Wives" is a comedy.
257
00:12:40,083 --> 00:12:43,167
This character gets up
to all sorts of antics.
258
00:12:43,250 --> 00:12:46,876
He's trying to seduce these
two women, the merry wives,
259
00:12:46,959 --> 00:12:48,709
who discover his plot.
260
00:12:48,792 --> 00:12:50,542
- Who does he think
he's fooling?
261
00:12:50,626 --> 00:12:51,959
- Me, I know not.
262
00:12:52,042 --> 00:12:55,959
- Let our wives yet once again,
to make us public sport.
263
00:12:56,042 --> 00:12:57,876
- Falstaff in our production
is played
264
00:12:57,959 --> 00:13:01,167
by the extraordinary
Jacob Ming-Trent.
265
00:13:01,250 --> 00:13:04,542
- So can you blame me
for checking out Madam Page
266
00:13:04,626 --> 00:13:06,459
and Madam Ford, you know?
267
00:13:06,542 --> 00:13:08,125
These are
some merry wives, man.
268
00:13:08,209 --> 00:13:09,500
You feel me?
269
00:13:09,584 --> 00:13:12,042
- It just felt really,
really important to me
270
00:13:12,125 --> 00:13:13,834
to not only
create opportunities
271
00:13:13,918 --> 00:13:17,042
for these actors, to show
this community onstage.
272
00:13:17,125 --> 00:13:19,375
Like, a Black, immigrant
community in New York
273
00:13:19,459 --> 00:13:22,083
at the Delacorte being
uplifted in this way.
274
00:13:22,167 --> 00:13:23,709
To me,
there's something beautiful
275
00:13:23,792 --> 00:13:25,459
and subversive about that.
276
00:13:25,542 --> 00:13:29,751
- Wives may be merry,
and yet honest, too.
277
00:13:29,834 --> 00:13:32,334
[birds chirping]
278
00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:49,000
- Watch your feeties.
- Hands on the back.
279
00:13:49,083 --> 00:13:50,500
Hands up.
- Got it.
280
00:13:50,584 --> 00:13:52,500
- One, two, three.
281
00:13:54,709 --> 00:13:55,876
Relax.
282
00:13:59,459 --> 00:14:01,083
I like that.
283
00:14:01,167 --> 00:14:03,334
We usually start prepping
284
00:14:03,417 --> 00:14:06,918
and opening up the Delacorte
in March.
285
00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,125
We had just started and just
ordered all of the material
286
00:14:09,209 --> 00:14:11,918
to begin our build,
we had all the plans ready.
287
00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:13,751
And they told us to go home.
288
00:14:13,834 --> 00:14:16,876
So everything was just kind of
289
00:14:16,959 --> 00:14:18,375
weatherized and sitting here
290
00:14:18,459 --> 00:14:20,334
waiting, um...
291
00:14:21,792 --> 00:14:23,626
For a year.
292
00:14:23,709 --> 00:14:27,083
And then when we came back,
it was a whole new set design,
293
00:14:27,167 --> 00:14:28,918
so we had to start
from scratch.
294
00:14:33,709 --> 00:14:35,542
Off the record,
we are way behind.
295
00:14:35,626 --> 00:14:37,876
[laughs]
296
00:14:38,959 --> 00:14:40,834
The performance date,
the opening night,
297
00:14:40,918 --> 00:14:42,792
that date never changes,
298
00:14:42,876 --> 00:14:45,959
so it's always
kind of a scramble.
299
00:14:46,042 --> 00:14:49,292
That's, I guess, part
of the excitement of theater.
300
00:14:49,375 --> 00:14:51,500
- One, two, three.
301
00:14:51,584 --> 00:14:54,292
[cheerful marimba music]
302
00:14:54,375 --> 00:14:56,000
- When I tell people
that I work
303
00:14:56,083 --> 00:14:57,626
on Shakespeare in the Park,
they have this image
304
00:14:57,709 --> 00:15:00,292
of just sitting on a blanket
and a rolling hill
305
00:15:00,375 --> 00:15:02,292
and there being
some sort of meadow
306
00:15:02,375 --> 00:15:03,626
in which Shakespeare happens.
307
00:15:03,709 --> 00:15:07,250
So I think the fact that it
exists in this physical space
308
00:15:07,334 --> 00:15:09,209
is sometimes a surprise
for folks.
309
00:15:10,709 --> 00:15:13,584
- Working outside
is a slow process.
310
00:15:13,667 --> 00:15:15,584
We're working in the middle
of Central Park.
311
00:15:15,667 --> 00:15:18,667
It's not like working downtown,
where you have,
312
00:15:18,751 --> 00:15:21,334
like, ample supplies
and materials and tools.
313
00:15:21,417 --> 00:15:23,167
Like,
we bring up what we need.
314
00:15:23,250 --> 00:15:25,542
The problems are so unique
to, like, that space--
315
00:15:25,626 --> 00:15:27,000
and I'm supposed
to take a left here,
316
00:15:27,083 --> 00:15:28,125
and I don't think
I can do that.
317
00:15:28,209 --> 00:15:29,709
[honks horn]
Go.
318
00:15:29,792 --> 00:15:32,000
Yeah, and, like,
you know, wood warps
319
00:15:32,083 --> 00:15:34,167
when it's outside, it gets wet.
320
00:15:34,250 --> 00:15:35,792
So things that we make now,
321
00:15:35,876 --> 00:15:37,876
three days from now
might get wet.
322
00:15:37,959 --> 00:15:39,834
And then we'll have
different problems to solve
323
00:15:39,918 --> 00:15:41,417
once the wood
has absorbed some water.
324
00:15:41,500 --> 00:15:42,626
[laughs]
325
00:15:42,709 --> 00:15:45,709
- We're constantly contending
with the elements
326
00:15:45,792 --> 00:15:49,083
and raccoons, weather.
327
00:15:49,167 --> 00:15:50,626
Anything that can happen
in a park,
328
00:15:50,709 --> 00:15:53,292
we've probably experienced it
at the Delacorte.
329
00:15:56,042 --> 00:15:57,959
- This is exactly what
I thought I was gonna be doing
330
00:15:58,042 --> 00:16:00,083
when I got that theater degree.
331
00:16:00,167 --> 00:16:02,626
Just carrying heavy things
through the park
332
00:16:02,709 --> 00:16:04,959
among strangers going like,
333
00:16:05,042 --> 00:16:07,125
"Hey, how do you get
to the turtle pond?"
334
00:16:09,167 --> 00:16:11,417
"You know
where the bathroom is?"
335
00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:12,959
Oh, my God.
336
00:16:15,250 --> 00:16:18,250
We're very limited
by the amount
337
00:16:18,334 --> 00:16:20,375
of covered space we have.
338
00:16:20,459 --> 00:16:23,876
We've got cable runs
everywhere, tools down here.
339
00:16:23,959 --> 00:16:26,334
It looks like a million bucks
out there,
340
00:16:26,417 --> 00:16:28,083
you know,
Meryl Streep's on the stage,
341
00:16:28,167 --> 00:16:30,000
but under here, it's--
342
00:16:30,083 --> 00:16:31,167
it's just under risers.
343
00:16:31,250 --> 00:16:33,375
There's nothing special
about it, nothing flashy.
344
00:16:33,459 --> 00:16:35,250
We just got
to get super creative
345
00:16:35,334 --> 00:16:38,292
using every single inch
of storage,
346
00:16:38,375 --> 00:16:39,834
especially this year.
347
00:16:39,918 --> 00:16:42,709
You can see some
of the wiring--
348
00:16:42,792 --> 00:16:45,250
raccoons love this stuff.
349
00:16:45,334 --> 00:16:46,959
They love to be just,
like, up in here,
350
00:16:47,042 --> 00:16:49,626
especially when these machines
get on a little hot.
351
00:16:49,709 --> 00:16:52,292
This is the lighting shop.
352
00:16:52,375 --> 00:16:54,584
And everything in here has
to get loaded in.
353
00:16:54,667 --> 00:16:58,417
We take everything out--
every cable, every wire,
354
00:16:58,500 --> 00:17:01,667
the stage, the truss, the sets.
355
00:17:01,751 --> 00:17:04,667
Like, all of this has
to get reloaded in.
356
00:17:04,751 --> 00:17:06,584
Coming this way...
357
00:17:07,792 --> 00:17:10,542
Let me show you
the dressing rooms.
358
00:17:10,626 --> 00:17:13,292
But, like, here's the--
359
00:17:13,375 --> 00:17:16,417
I guess, the Gate One...
360
00:17:18,792 --> 00:17:20,375
Like, book.
361
00:17:20,459 --> 00:17:22,417
Like, the rounds
that the security made,
362
00:17:22,500 --> 00:17:24,751
and you can see...
363
00:17:24,834 --> 00:17:28,834
it just sort of stops,
3/12/2020,
364
00:17:28,918 --> 00:17:31,375
3/16/20,
365
00:17:31,459 --> 00:17:34,959
and then we just stop,
right, then it's just...
366
00:17:35,042 --> 00:17:36,000
empty.
367
00:17:36,083 --> 00:17:39,334
They got it going
for the top of the summer.
368
00:17:39,417 --> 00:17:41,709
Just sort of ends there.
369
00:17:41,792 --> 00:17:43,667
I don't know, just stopped.
370
00:17:43,751 --> 00:17:44,667
It's kind of weird.
371
00:17:44,751 --> 00:17:46,667
We all thought
we'd be right back.
372
00:17:48,292 --> 00:17:49,792
[doorbell rings]
373
00:17:54,292 --> 00:17:56,417
- Hello?
- [speaking indistinctly]
374
00:17:56,500 --> 00:17:57,626
- Hey.
375
00:18:03,959 --> 00:18:07,000
[laughing]
376
00:18:09,459 --> 00:18:12,459
How many years,
it never gets old.
377
00:18:12,542 --> 00:18:14,500
[laughs]
378
00:18:14,584 --> 00:18:16,792
- [sighs]
379
00:18:16,876 --> 00:18:17,834
What in the world?
380
00:18:17,918 --> 00:18:19,334
- I live in the Mt. Everest
of Manhattan.
381
00:18:19,417 --> 00:18:20,417
- You know what?
382
00:18:20,500 --> 00:18:22,918
When I move, I'm gonna
make you take the steps.
383
00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:25,375
Okay, you're not allowed
to take the elevator.
384
00:18:25,459 --> 00:18:27,792
Jesus.
385
00:18:29,417 --> 00:18:30,792
My God.
386
00:18:30,876 --> 00:18:33,167
- Hey.
- Hi.
387
00:18:33,250 --> 00:18:35,000
Whew.
- Come on in.
388
00:18:35,083 --> 00:18:36,834
Okay.
389
00:18:36,918 --> 00:18:39,042
[breathing deeply]
390
00:18:39,125 --> 00:18:41,000
I've earned
whatever I'm eating tonight.
391
00:18:41,083 --> 00:18:42,250
- [laughs]
392
00:18:42,334 --> 00:18:43,334
- Okay.
393
00:18:43,417 --> 00:18:45,167
I guess
we should talk through
394
00:18:45,250 --> 00:18:47,667
what's gonna
be the big changes for--
395
00:18:48,459 --> 00:18:51,417
Okay, so you want to
keep this "goat meat" line?
396
00:18:51,500 --> 00:18:53,000
- [laughing]
Why, you don't like it?
397
00:18:53,083 --> 00:18:54,417
[laughter]
398
00:18:54,500 --> 00:18:55,876
- I just don't know if--
399
00:18:55,959 --> 00:18:57,542
Okay, okay, okay, hold on.
400
00:18:57,626 --> 00:18:59,334
"I'm glad
to see your worships well."
401
00:18:59,417 --> 00:19:01,751
You know, "I thank you
for my goat meat, Mr. Shallow."
402
00:19:01,834 --> 00:19:04,626
[sighs]
'Cause what is the joke here?
403
00:19:04,709 --> 00:19:07,876
- Yeah. Honestly, it's probably
a joke that doesn't land,
404
00:19:07,959 --> 00:19:09,167
so we should just cut it.
405
00:19:09,250 --> 00:19:12,250
- They might just be like, "Why
they over here eating goat?"
406
00:19:12,334 --> 00:19:13,918
- [laughs]
407
00:19:15,459 --> 00:19:18,125
- Even though goat
is delicious.
408
00:19:20,375 --> 00:19:21,834
He's saying,
"I wish I was younger...
409
00:19:21,918 --> 00:19:23,959
- Yes, yes.
- So I could holler at her"?
410
00:19:24,042 --> 00:19:25,125
What?
411
00:19:25,209 --> 00:19:27,167
- There are, like,
all these, like--
412
00:19:27,250 --> 00:19:29,834
There's xenophobic, there's
also, like, you know,
413
00:19:29,918 --> 00:19:32,751
paternalistic, sexist,
like, there all--yeah.
414
00:19:32,834 --> 00:19:35,292
We just need
to clean all that shit up.
415
00:19:35,375 --> 00:19:37,584
- Ugh.
- I know.
416
00:19:37,667 --> 00:19:41,584
- Like, chill out.
- [laughs]
417
00:19:41,667 --> 00:19:44,751
- Billy Shakes.
- [laughs]
418
00:19:44,834 --> 00:19:46,334
Like, Shakespeare gets
put up on this pedestal,
419
00:19:46,417 --> 00:19:47,918
but it's like, he also wrote
420
00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,918
some problematic shit,
you know.
421
00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:53,042
So it's like,
you can take that stuff out
422
00:19:53,125 --> 00:19:55,375
and, like, keep the good parts,
but just because it's there
423
00:19:55,459 --> 00:19:56,667
doesn't mean it's,
like, all right.
424
00:19:58,918 --> 00:20:01,209
- I didn't think
it was gonna happen.
425
00:20:01,292 --> 00:20:04,083
Like, when you called me
about it--
426
00:20:04,167 --> 00:20:07,042
- I called you in February.
- Yeah, I was like, okay.
427
00:20:07,125 --> 00:20:09,042
I said yes because I was like,
it's not happening.
428
00:20:09,125 --> 00:20:12,209
- [laughs]
429
00:20:13,584 --> 00:20:15,167
- And then
next thing you know,
430
00:20:15,250 --> 00:20:17,667
mid-March, you know,
they're like, we're announcing.
431
00:20:17,751 --> 00:20:19,792
I'm like...
- [laughs]
432
00:20:19,876 --> 00:20:23,167
I've written nothing.
433
00:20:23,250 --> 00:20:25,667
So, yeah, yeah,
it was very quick.
434
00:20:25,751 --> 00:20:28,792
I opened my laptop quickly
that day,
435
00:20:28,876 --> 00:20:30,375
trying to figure it all out.
436
00:20:30,459 --> 00:20:32,250
So, yeah, I just didn't think
it was--
437
00:20:32,334 --> 00:20:34,125
I just--
I--
438
00:20:34,209 --> 00:20:36,876
I was--
at that point, I was done
439
00:20:36,959 --> 00:20:39,459
with getting my hopes up
about anything.
440
00:20:39,542 --> 00:20:41,584
There's two things,
you know, with plays.
441
00:20:41,667 --> 00:20:44,125
That, one, they're meant
to be performed, not read,
442
00:20:44,209 --> 00:20:46,125
otherwise they'd
just be a book.
443
00:20:46,209 --> 00:20:48,751
And two is that
you need an audience
444
00:20:48,834 --> 00:20:51,083
to actually complete the play,
otherwise it's just--
445
00:20:51,167 --> 00:20:52,334
- It's incomplete.
- Yeah.
446
00:20:52,417 --> 00:20:55,334
Even if it's theater for one,
you know, that's--
447
00:20:55,417 --> 00:20:57,334
it's incomplete
without an audience.
448
00:20:57,417 --> 00:20:59,542
- Like, after 50 years
of Shakespeare in the Park...
449
00:20:59,626 --> 00:21:01,417
- Yeah.
- There has never been
450
00:21:01,500 --> 00:21:02,918
a production that had, like,
451
00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:05,167
a community of, like,
immigrants of color...
452
00:21:05,250 --> 00:21:06,834
- Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
- Onstage, like--
453
00:21:06,918 --> 00:21:07,876
- Yeah.
- People thought, like,
454
00:21:07,959 --> 00:21:08,918
they've seen it all.
455
00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:09,918
- Mm-hmm.
- You know?
456
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:11,500
But they hadn't seen this.
- Yeah, yeah.
457
00:21:11,584 --> 00:21:12,709
- You know?
- That's true.
458
00:21:12,792 --> 00:21:14,000
That is true.
I was--
459
00:21:14,083 --> 00:21:16,250
I remember that when you called
me, and you were like,
460
00:21:16,334 --> 00:21:18,042
yeah, but it would be,
like, you know,
461
00:21:18,125 --> 00:21:19,500
like, African people.
462
00:21:19,584 --> 00:21:21,626
And I was like,
463
00:21:21,709 --> 00:21:23,125
saying the text?
464
00:21:23,209 --> 00:21:26,125
- [laughing]
465
00:21:26,209 --> 00:21:28,292
- Huh?
466
00:21:28,375 --> 00:21:32,792
It was like, yeah, I mean, of
all the Shakespeare I've seen,
467
00:21:32,876 --> 00:21:36,042
I guess I never--
I don't think I've ever--
468
00:21:36,125 --> 00:21:38,500
I mean, and I'm sure
it exists somewhere.
469
00:21:38,584 --> 00:21:40,876
I do not want
to be presumptuous
470
00:21:40,959 --> 00:21:43,959
in thinking
that we are, like, you know,
471
00:21:44,042 --> 00:21:45,542
reinventing the wheel here,
472
00:21:45,626 --> 00:21:48,042
but at least
for Shakespeare in the Park,
473
00:21:48,125 --> 00:21:50,375
we're adding some new spokes,
for sure.
474
00:21:50,459 --> 00:21:53,292
- [laughing]
- For sure.
475
00:21:53,375 --> 00:21:56,709
So to be able to, like,
do a show, you know,
476
00:21:56,792 --> 00:21:59,584
that's comedic and joyful
and fun
477
00:21:59,667 --> 00:22:02,876
that, like,
kind of centers Black joy,
478
00:22:02,959 --> 00:22:07,167
after a time of experiencing
so much Black pain,
479
00:22:07,250 --> 00:22:11,292
is like,
very important to me.
480
00:22:11,375 --> 00:22:12,667
So I'm--
481
00:22:12,751 --> 00:22:16,000
Another thing
to take seriously.
482
00:22:22,375 --> 00:22:25,584
- The very beginning of
the process before rehearsals,
483
00:22:25,667 --> 00:22:27,417
I said to the management,
I said, I'd love to talk
484
00:22:27,500 --> 00:22:30,751
about anti-racism
and what it means at The Public
485
00:22:30,834 --> 00:22:33,125
and what it's gonna mean
for "Merry Wives."
486
00:22:33,209 --> 00:22:35,250
I would've never done that
487
00:22:35,334 --> 00:22:37,542
two years ago, a year ago,
without question.
488
00:22:37,626 --> 00:22:38,709
And I actually--
489
00:22:38,792 --> 00:22:41,209
I sort of conflate
March, April, May, June, July,
490
00:22:41,292 --> 00:22:44,250
'cause it all was that summer--
spring/summer time
491
00:22:44,334 --> 00:22:46,959
when it felt like--
it just felt like...
492
00:22:48,209 --> 00:22:51,542
There were so many Black people
being killed, you know,
493
00:22:51,626 --> 00:22:53,626
at the hands of our police.
494
00:22:53,709 --> 00:22:57,083
And so that's--
that, to me, will always be
495
00:22:57,167 --> 00:22:58,626
what 2020--
496
00:22:58,709 --> 00:23:01,250
and then
the pandemic, of course.
497
00:23:03,292 --> 00:23:07,459
In 1994, Daniel Sullivan
directed a production
498
00:23:07,542 --> 00:23:09,042
of "Merry Wives of Windsor."
499
00:23:09,125 --> 00:23:11,626
Andrea Martin--
Who else was in that?
500
00:23:11,709 --> 00:23:14,792
David Alan Grier,
Tonya Pinkins.
501
00:23:14,876 --> 00:23:17,959
I was a production assistant
on that production.
502
00:23:18,042 --> 00:23:19,459
It was my first--
503
00:23:20,709 --> 00:23:21,959
Was that my first time
in the Park?
504
00:23:22,042 --> 00:23:23,584
That was my first time
in the Park.
505
00:23:23,667 --> 00:23:25,292
Had a miserable time.
506
00:23:25,375 --> 00:23:28,209
Was treated horribly.
507
00:23:29,542 --> 00:23:30,792
And...
508
00:23:31,876 --> 00:23:33,417
Yeah, I mean,
I don't even think--
509
00:23:33,500 --> 00:23:34,792
I didn't have words for it.
510
00:23:34,876 --> 00:23:36,250
I didn't even know
511
00:23:36,334 --> 00:23:40,000
the racism and the abuse
that I was living under
512
00:23:40,083 --> 00:23:42,000
until much, much later.
513
00:23:42,083 --> 00:23:44,167
We all want to feel valued.
514
00:23:44,250 --> 00:23:47,375
We all want to know that we
matter, that our work matters.
515
00:23:47,459 --> 00:23:49,500
We all want to be able to show
up to work, you know, and--
516
00:23:49,584 --> 00:23:51,167
with our authentic self and--
517
00:23:51,250 --> 00:23:53,876
and that be okay,
as opposed to,
518
00:23:53,959 --> 00:23:55,834
you know,
marginalized in any way.
519
00:23:55,918 --> 00:23:59,000
And all of that--
again, I didn't have words
520
00:23:59,083 --> 00:24:01,459
for any of that back then,
but that is absolutely
521
00:24:01,542 --> 00:24:03,000
what I vowed to do.
522
00:24:07,542 --> 00:24:10,459
[soft music playing]
523
00:24:10,542 --> 00:24:15,918
♪ ♪
524
00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:17,542
- I got a feeling
it's gonna change...
525
00:24:17,626 --> 00:24:18,667
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Absolutely, absolutely.
526
00:24:18,751 --> 00:24:20,584
- With the actors, yeah.
527
00:24:20,667 --> 00:24:23,250
"When you were born."
- [vocalizing]
528
00:24:23,334 --> 00:24:25,876
- Pah!
She talks again, no sound.
529
00:24:25,959 --> 00:24:28,083
"With trial fire
touch his finger end.
530
00:24:28,167 --> 00:24:29,542
If he be chaste,
the flame will be--"
531
00:24:29,626 --> 00:24:30,709
So it's like,
that's in silence?
532
00:24:30,792 --> 00:24:31,667
- Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
533
00:24:31,751 --> 00:24:33,250
- "And turn him to no pain,
but if he start,
534
00:24:33,334 --> 00:24:34,375
it is the flesh--"
535
00:24:34,459 --> 00:24:35,459
Yeah, "But if he start,
536
00:24:35,542 --> 00:24:37,542
it is the flesh
of a corrupted heart."
537
00:24:37,626 --> 00:24:39,959
Duh-duh-duh, "A trial, come."
538
00:24:40,042 --> 00:24:42,209
It's getting a little louder.
- Yeah, yeah.
539
00:24:42,292 --> 00:24:44,209
- "Aha, but stay."
Bum!
540
00:24:44,292 --> 00:24:46,042
"I smell a man
of middle-earth."
541
00:24:46,125 --> 00:24:47,459
Gung, gung!
542
00:24:47,542 --> 00:24:49,250
Then--
duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh.
543
00:24:49,334 --> 00:24:50,250
- Rrr--
- Okay.
544
00:24:50,334 --> 00:24:52,667
- "Flesh of a corrupted heart."
- Got it.
545
00:24:52,751 --> 00:24:54,083
- Pastor Evans says,
"Come, spirits, come.
546
00:24:54,167 --> 00:24:56,000
"Remember your parts.
Be bold, I pray you.
547
00:24:56,083 --> 00:24:58,459
"Follow me, and when I give
the signal, do as I bid you.
548
00:24:58,542 --> 00:24:59,500
Come, come, gather."
549
00:24:59,584 --> 00:25:03,083
And he gives Farai the signal.
Farai starts.
550
00:25:03,167 --> 00:25:04,417
And then, like,
the spirits move
551
00:25:04,500 --> 00:25:06,083
and start to shift the stage.
552
00:25:06,167 --> 00:25:07,584
- Yep.
- "And as you trip,
553
00:25:07,667 --> 00:25:09,626
still pinch him to your time."
554
00:25:09,709 --> 00:25:12,792
[vocalizing drum beat]
555
00:25:12,876 --> 00:25:14,542
You know,
I think we just start there.
556
00:25:14,626 --> 00:25:15,542
[continues vocalizing]
557
00:25:15,626 --> 00:25:18,542
[drums playing]
558
00:25:18,626 --> 00:25:21,542
♪ ♪
559
00:25:21,626 --> 00:25:22,542
Faster.
- Okay.
560
00:25:22,626 --> 00:25:24,876
- [vocalizing drum beat]
Like, faster.
561
00:25:24,959 --> 00:25:28,417
♪ ♪
562
00:25:28,500 --> 00:25:29,751
Uh-huh, uh-huh.
- So, then when we get
563
00:25:29,834 --> 00:25:32,042
to the next layer, we have that
little acceleration into it?
564
00:25:32,125 --> 00:25:33,083
- Yeah, yeah.
565
00:25:33,167 --> 00:25:35,667
At the part
where it goes, bah, bah, bah,
566
00:25:35,751 --> 00:25:38,375
that'll probably be collective
group going all together,
567
00:25:38,459 --> 00:25:41,667
all together, so really
make that really, like...
568
00:25:41,751 --> 00:25:43,542
- Mm-hmm.
- Duh-duh, duh-duh, duh-duh!
569
00:25:43,626 --> 00:25:50,709
♪ ♪
570
00:26:01,417 --> 00:26:03,792
- Hey!
- Yeah, that's awesome.
571
00:26:03,876 --> 00:26:04,959
- [laughing]
- All right, man, that's it.
572
00:26:05,042 --> 00:26:06,375
That's it, that's it.
That's it.
573
00:26:06,459 --> 00:26:07,709
African people
are not a monolith.
574
00:26:07,792 --> 00:26:08,751
The languages are different.
575
00:26:08,834 --> 00:26:10,083
I love drumming,
576
00:26:10,167 --> 00:26:11,459
because that's one of
the common things that's found
577
00:26:11,542 --> 00:26:13,751
all over the place,
but it's so different.
578
00:26:13,834 --> 00:26:15,918
I can't even tell you,
like, now I get into a cab,
579
00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:17,959
I can hear somebody talk and
be like, oh, you from Senegal--
580
00:26:18,042 --> 00:26:19,292
because you sound
like the drum.
581
00:26:19,375 --> 00:26:21,834
The rhythms that I'm playing
are intentionally secular.
582
00:26:21,918 --> 00:26:24,250
So they don't
have a spiritual connotation,
583
00:26:24,334 --> 00:26:26,500
they don't call down spirits,
in a way, 'cause I--
584
00:26:26,584 --> 00:26:29,876
I'm not a person that's in any
specific spiritual practice,
585
00:26:29,959 --> 00:26:31,167
but I have ultimate respect
for it.
586
00:26:31,250 --> 00:26:32,751
I never take
any of them lightly.
587
00:26:32,834 --> 00:26:34,542
One of the biggest things I do
at the beginning of the show,
588
00:26:34,626 --> 00:26:37,834
I always pour a couple of drops
of water, of libations
589
00:26:37,918 --> 00:26:41,083
to their spirit and their
energy, because it's real.
590
00:26:41,167 --> 00:26:43,000
I feel like we do have
to pay respects.
591
00:26:44,250 --> 00:26:47,167
This is why I can't have family
and relationships,
592
00:26:47,250 --> 00:26:49,083
'cause everything
is instruments.
593
00:26:49,167 --> 00:26:51,334
[laughs]
594
00:26:51,417 --> 00:26:53,834
So these are my drums.
595
00:26:53,918 --> 00:27:00,918
♪ ♪
596
00:27:05,375 --> 00:27:08,042
When you create music
or you create film or theater,
597
00:27:08,125 --> 00:27:10,167
we're able to get
into the hearts and minds
598
00:27:10,250 --> 00:27:11,417
of the people
599
00:27:11,500 --> 00:27:13,167
and in a way
that's non-offensive,
600
00:27:13,250 --> 00:27:15,918
you know, and nonjudgmental.
601
00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:21,042
And that constant mantra
that we provide in the arts
602
00:27:21,125 --> 00:27:22,876
creates society.
603
00:27:25,000 --> 00:27:26,959
If Congress took
a African dance class,
604
00:27:27,042 --> 00:27:28,959
we'd get bills passed.
605
00:27:29,042 --> 00:27:31,000
Now all of a sudden,
you're able to take hundreds
606
00:27:31,083 --> 00:27:33,375
of people and make them
all dance to the same beat
607
00:27:33,459 --> 00:27:34,834
and, you know,
work in the same thing.
608
00:27:34,918 --> 00:27:36,542
And then
the beauty of African culture
609
00:27:36,626 --> 00:27:39,709
is that there's also space in
that for individual expression,
610
00:27:39,792 --> 00:27:42,042
which is universal
through African culture--
611
00:27:42,125 --> 00:27:44,834
the cypher, the break dancers,
coming into the circle.
612
00:27:44,918 --> 00:27:48,167
So you have a core
that brings people together,
613
00:27:48,250 --> 00:27:50,626
and then you have space
for individual expression.
614
00:27:50,709 --> 00:27:53,751
That is the core
of any intellectual pursuit.
615
00:27:55,667 --> 00:28:00,876
So, without art in balance
of technology and advancement,
616
00:28:00,959 --> 00:28:02,500
there is no society.
617
00:28:05,542 --> 00:28:08,459
[atmospheric music]
618
00:28:08,542 --> 00:28:15,459
♪ ♪
619
00:28:24,500 --> 00:28:26,167
- Oh, this is in "Othello,"
yeah.
620
00:28:26,250 --> 00:28:27,417
Yeah, that's great.
621
00:28:28,792 --> 00:28:30,792
I emailed Saheem,
and I said, can we put the--
622
00:28:30,876 --> 00:28:32,959
Doctor Caius' name
on the clinic door?
623
00:28:33,042 --> 00:28:33,959
- Mm.
- 'Cause I love that,
624
00:28:34,042 --> 00:28:35,667
that their names are all
just written there.
625
00:28:35,751 --> 00:28:38,459
Every one of the laundries had
all the bubble stuff
626
00:28:38,542 --> 00:28:40,792
all over it, and so we were
trying to copy that.
627
00:28:47,209 --> 00:28:49,584
- And one, two, three, magic.
628
00:28:51,292 --> 00:28:53,667
And one, two, three, magic!
629
00:28:55,834 --> 00:28:58,584
All right, rolling.
And...
630
00:28:58,667 --> 00:29:00,834
one, two, three, magic.
631
00:29:09,375 --> 00:29:11,459
- That looks cool.
632
00:29:11,542 --> 00:29:13,167
Well, this was dirty.
633
00:29:25,959 --> 00:29:29,209
- I have definitely not
634
00:29:29,292 --> 00:29:32,584
been a lover of Shakespeare,
traditionally.
635
00:29:32,667 --> 00:29:35,584
I never really thought it was
for me.
636
00:29:35,667 --> 00:29:37,792
And I never really, like--
I never went out of my way
637
00:29:37,876 --> 00:29:41,959
to see it or to work
on Shakespeare-related things,
638
00:29:42,042 --> 00:29:44,626
but right before we talked,
639
00:29:44,709 --> 00:29:48,375
I had just read this essay
that James Baldwin wrote
640
00:29:48,459 --> 00:29:51,959
about why he stopped
hating Shakespeare.
641
00:29:52,042 --> 00:29:57,709
And it was when he moved
from America to France.
642
00:29:57,792 --> 00:30:01,751
And in being in a country
with a different language,
643
00:30:01,834 --> 00:30:05,042
he realized how much
Shakespeare's English
644
00:30:05,125 --> 00:30:08,876
really spoke to the Black
American experience.
645
00:30:08,959 --> 00:30:12,417
And how it was the language
of the people
646
00:30:12,500 --> 00:30:14,876
and how
the kind of epicness of it
647
00:30:14,959 --> 00:30:17,167
felt very true
to his experience.
648
00:30:19,918 --> 00:30:22,709
Shakespeare actually is
messing up
649
00:30:22,792 --> 00:30:26,334
a lot of standard English
in the ways
650
00:30:26,417 --> 00:30:29,834
that actually ask for there
to be more freedom
651
00:30:29,918 --> 00:30:33,542
in adaptations of Shakespeare,
as opposed to more rigidity.
652
00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:37,083
Yeah, I just--
I've seen so many productions
653
00:30:37,167 --> 00:30:41,250
where Black and brown people--
like, actors are put onstage,
654
00:30:41,334 --> 00:30:44,709
the production team's white,
655
00:30:44,792 --> 00:30:46,667
the lead characters
are still white,
656
00:30:46,751 --> 00:30:51,209
and the story is told
in a, like, post-racial,
657
00:30:51,292 --> 00:30:53,459
racially blind way,
658
00:30:53,542 --> 00:30:58,250
where those actors are
kind of expected to still speak
659
00:30:58,334 --> 00:31:02,500
in a white dialect,
still be telling a white story.
660
00:31:03,959 --> 00:31:07,709
And what's really important
about this production
661
00:31:07,792 --> 00:31:10,375
is that it's not doing that.
662
00:31:10,459 --> 00:31:12,250
It's telling Black stories.
663
00:31:12,334 --> 00:31:14,834
The production team has
so many people of color on it,
664
00:31:14,918 --> 00:31:16,209
so many Black people.
665
00:31:16,292 --> 00:31:18,417
The rehearsal room--
I take for granted so often.
666
00:31:18,500 --> 00:31:19,626
I'm never in a rehearsal room
667
00:31:19,709 --> 00:31:21,000
where everyone
around me is Black,
668
00:31:21,083 --> 00:31:24,876
and it feels so different
but in a way that I forget
669
00:31:24,959 --> 00:31:27,626
how rare it is,
because it feels so right.
670
00:31:28,834 --> 00:31:29,959
- Is it the one
that has, like--
671
00:31:30,042 --> 00:31:31,542
that stayed up longer?
672
00:31:31,626 --> 00:31:32,626
- A little bit.
- Okay.
673
00:31:32,709 --> 00:31:34,834
- It had at this cannon.
674
00:31:34,918 --> 00:31:36,792
- Yeah, this is the one
that stayed up the longest.
675
00:31:36,876 --> 00:31:38,918
- Yes.
676
00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:40,751
- Square cut.
Ah.
677
00:31:40,834 --> 00:31:42,209
Ooh.
- I know.
678
00:31:42,292 --> 00:31:44,751
- Oh!
- [laughs]
679
00:31:44,834 --> 00:31:47,083
- I love how it stays up.
680
00:31:47,167 --> 00:31:49,918
Okay. Let's go with this one.
- Okay.
681
00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:51,209
- You're tall, too!
- Yep, yes.
682
00:31:51,292 --> 00:31:54,292
[laughter, chatter]
683
00:31:58,167 --> 00:31:59,334
- Hi.
It's a pleasure.
684
00:31:59,417 --> 00:32:01,042
- Yas!
[laughter]
685
00:32:01,125 --> 00:32:04,417
[cheers]
686
00:32:04,500 --> 00:32:06,542
- Whoo!
- I know!
687
00:32:06,626 --> 00:32:08,667
- I can't even believe it.
688
00:32:08,751 --> 00:32:10,667
[laughter]
689
00:32:10,751 --> 00:32:12,250
- Yay!
690
00:32:13,751 --> 00:32:15,250
- Air hug, air hug.
691
00:32:15,334 --> 00:32:17,209
- Nuts.
- I know!
692
00:32:17,292 --> 00:32:18,834
I know.
- I'm like...
693
00:32:20,250 --> 00:32:22,500
15 months...
- [laughs]
694
00:32:22,584 --> 00:32:25,125
- Since I've last been
in a rehearsal room.
695
00:32:25,209 --> 00:32:26,459
- Oh, my God.
- And it wasn't even
696
00:32:26,542 --> 00:32:27,626
for this play.
697
00:32:27,709 --> 00:32:30,042
- No, I know.
698
00:32:30,125 --> 00:32:33,834
- Exactly!
You know, we manifested it.
699
00:32:36,584 --> 00:32:39,167
- This is, like,
a first-class...
700
00:32:40,500 --> 00:32:42,417
Little--
you know?
701
00:32:42,500 --> 00:32:43,500
- Very cute.
- It's--
702
00:32:43,584 --> 00:32:44,792
And some lotion.
That's how you know
703
00:32:44,876 --> 00:32:46,375
we working on a Black show.
704
00:32:46,459 --> 00:32:48,626
We in
the big leagues now, baby.
705
00:32:49,959 --> 00:32:51,584
- Hey!
- Hey!
706
00:32:51,667 --> 00:32:53,250
- We are here.
We are here, we are here.
707
00:32:53,334 --> 00:32:56,292
[cheers and applause]
708
00:33:14,459 --> 00:33:17,334
This is wild.
Wild, wild, wild, wild.
709
00:33:17,417 --> 00:33:19,667
Incredible, incredible.
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
710
00:33:19,751 --> 00:33:22,292
We're gonna--
we're gonna just, like, begin.
711
00:33:22,375 --> 00:33:24,250
We're going to dive
into something
712
00:33:24,334 --> 00:33:26,083
that is familiar yet new.
713
00:33:26,167 --> 00:33:27,334
Oskar, you want to say anything
714
00:33:27,417 --> 00:33:29,959
before we start
to introduce folks?
715
00:33:30,042 --> 00:33:31,959
- The only real thing
I want to say, guys,
716
00:33:32,042 --> 00:33:36,334
is we're inaugurating
this entire complex
717
00:33:36,417 --> 00:33:38,918
of rehearsal studios today,
718
00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:42,250
as well as bringing New York
back to the theater.
719
00:33:42,334 --> 00:33:46,626
This is...
[cheers and applause]
720
00:33:46,709 --> 00:33:49,417
The power
of people gathering together,
721
00:33:49,500 --> 00:33:50,417
it's gonna be great,
722
00:33:50,500 --> 00:33:51,959
and I'm just so,
so grateful you're here.
723
00:33:52,042 --> 00:33:54,834
Welcome, guys.
- Hey!
724
00:33:54,918 --> 00:33:56,334
- Thank you.
725
00:33:56,417 --> 00:33:58,209
Jocelyn,
you want to say something?
726
00:33:58,292 --> 00:34:00,417
- I'm just--
I'm really just in shock.
727
00:34:00,500 --> 00:34:03,334
Honestly, like,
that's really it.
728
00:34:03,417 --> 00:34:05,334
And I'm really
very, like, emot--
729
00:34:05,417 --> 00:34:07,542
Like, it's so great what we do.
730
00:34:07,626 --> 00:34:09,834
It's hard what we do.
It's crazy what we do.
731
00:34:09,918 --> 00:34:12,500
But it's like, it's a beautiful
and an amazing thing,
732
00:34:12,584 --> 00:34:15,876
and for that thing to just
be completely yanked from us
733
00:34:15,959 --> 00:34:20,459
for so long feels insane
and sad and whatever,
734
00:34:20,542 --> 00:34:23,459
so this is, like--
I am really emotional about it,
735
00:34:23,542 --> 00:34:25,500
because I think what we do
is a really beautiful thing,
736
00:34:25,584 --> 00:34:27,584
and to be able
to come back again
737
00:34:27,667 --> 00:34:31,500
with this incredible company
and doing this show
738
00:34:31,584 --> 00:34:33,918
feels really remarkable.
739
00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:36,792
So I'm just thrilled
to be here, yeah.
740
00:34:36,876 --> 00:34:40,626
Yay.
[laughter, cheers]
741
00:34:40,709 --> 00:34:43,042
Oh, Lord Jesus.
742
00:34:43,125 --> 00:34:45,918
[laughter]
743
00:34:46,042 --> 00:34:50,500
Cried on the Zoom,
crying in the rehearsal.
744
00:34:50,584 --> 00:34:52,334
- Relax, chill.
It's all good.
745
00:34:52,417 --> 00:34:54,209
Any questions
before we dive in?
746
00:34:54,292 --> 00:34:55,375
- So we can take this off?
747
00:34:55,459 --> 00:34:56,834
- Yes, yes.
- You can take off your mask.
748
00:34:56,918 --> 00:34:58,334
- You are
in your playing space.
749
00:34:58,417 --> 00:35:01,000
- Whoo-hoo!
♪ Can you feel it? ♪
750
00:35:01,083 --> 00:35:03,542
- Literally.
[laughter]
751
00:35:06,334 --> 00:35:08,209
- I'ma work my way up
to the other ear.
752
00:35:08,292 --> 00:35:11,250
[laughter]
753
00:35:13,083 --> 00:35:15,042
- And, Abigail,
whenever you're ready.
754
00:35:15,125 --> 00:35:17,626
- "Merry Wives"
by William Shakespeare,
755
00:35:17,709 --> 00:35:20,959
adaptation by Jocelyn Bioh.
756
00:35:21,042 --> 00:35:24,167
Act one, scene one--
enter Shallow, Slender,
757
00:35:24,250 --> 00:35:25,500
and Pastor Evans.
758
00:35:25,584 --> 00:35:28,334
- Pastor Evans,
persuade me not.
759
00:35:28,417 --> 00:35:31,959
- Robert Shallow, Esquire.
760
00:35:32,042 --> 00:35:33,709
- Hey, I never believe that.
761
00:35:33,792 --> 00:35:35,542
- And neither should you, eh?
762
00:35:35,626 --> 00:35:37,667
[both laugh]
763
00:35:37,751 --> 00:35:39,834
Oh, Madam Page,
give me some counsel.
764
00:35:39,918 --> 00:35:41,417
- What's going on?
765
00:35:41,500 --> 00:35:44,542
- If only my husband saw
this letter,
766
00:35:44,626 --> 00:35:48,167
it would give him eternal food
for his jealousy.
767
00:35:48,250 --> 00:35:50,459
- Right.
Look where he comes.
768
00:35:50,542 --> 00:35:52,042
- This chasm
that people have created
769
00:35:52,125 --> 00:35:55,167
between people of color
and Shakespeare,
770
00:35:55,250 --> 00:35:58,334
it's the most
ridiculous thing.
771
00:35:58,417 --> 00:36:01,876
A teacher told me
772
00:36:01,959 --> 00:36:07,375
that Jamaicans didn't do
a lot of Shakespeare
773
00:36:07,459 --> 00:36:08,709
in the U.K. or whatever
774
00:36:08,792 --> 00:36:10,459
because they didn't have
a grasp
775
00:36:10,542 --> 00:36:13,083
of the language
or something like this.
776
00:36:13,167 --> 00:36:16,083
And I remember being like...
777
00:36:16,167 --> 00:36:17,292
"What?"
778
00:36:17,375 --> 00:36:21,250
When you study Shakespeare,
as I've had for many years,
779
00:36:21,334 --> 00:36:24,375
like, the language itself
is filled with an energy.
780
00:36:24,459 --> 00:36:25,792
Like,
you don't just speak words.
781
00:36:25,876 --> 00:36:28,375
Every words has an energy,
a drive, and a subte--
782
00:36:28,459 --> 00:36:30,417
Who speaks like that
all the time?
783
00:36:30,500 --> 00:36:31,375
You tell me.
784
00:36:31,459 --> 00:36:34,375
Ah, it's almost time.
To the oak, to the oak!
785
00:36:34,459 --> 00:36:36,584
I've never seen a production
of Shakespeare
786
00:36:36,667 --> 00:36:38,042
done in this dialect.
787
00:36:38,125 --> 00:36:39,709
That's a beautiful thing.
788
00:36:39,792 --> 00:36:41,876
- I do invite you tomorrow
morning to my house
789
00:36:41,959 --> 00:36:43,375
for breakfast.
790
00:36:43,459 --> 00:36:45,542
After, we'll go to the park
791
00:36:45,626 --> 00:36:48,417
for some bird-watching
together, ah?
792
00:36:48,500 --> 00:36:51,167
Shall it be so?
- Anything.
793
00:36:51,250 --> 00:36:53,417
- I think when you see
a theater show,
794
00:36:53,500 --> 00:36:57,459
it really encompasses
that idea of,
795
00:36:57,542 --> 00:37:01,209
we are all the same
in different ways.
796
00:37:01,292 --> 00:37:02,834
People that come to see it
are gonna feel
797
00:37:02,918 --> 00:37:04,751
like they're being invited
into a world
798
00:37:04,834 --> 00:37:07,584
that they never
would experience.
799
00:37:07,667 --> 00:37:10,042
And I think that is what
is so important about it.
800
00:37:10,125 --> 00:37:12,751
- I wish I could knock him
in the head just one more time.
801
00:37:12,834 --> 00:37:14,417
How could he do this?
802
00:37:14,500 --> 00:37:17,417
- Marry, sir,
the pittie-ward, the park-ward,
803
00:37:17,500 --> 00:37:19,417
every way but the town way.
804
00:37:19,500 --> 00:37:22,417
During the pandemic,
my mom had a health scare.
805
00:37:22,500 --> 00:37:24,626
She had a stroke.
806
00:37:24,709 --> 00:37:26,584
She keeps saying in Twi,
like--
807
00:37:26,667 --> 00:37:28,417
[speaking Twi]
Which means "I'm gonna come."
808
00:37:28,500 --> 00:37:30,751
Like, she's so excited
to come and see it.
809
00:37:30,834 --> 00:37:33,250
But me just talking about it
810
00:37:33,334 --> 00:37:35,459
to her, I'm like,
811
00:37:35,542 --> 00:37:37,751
there's Twi in this play, Mom,
812
00:37:37,834 --> 00:37:40,000
like, we're wearing kente,
813
00:37:40,083 --> 00:37:42,667
we're wearing authentic things,
814
00:37:42,751 --> 00:37:44,626
like, you're gonna love it,
815
00:37:44,709 --> 00:37:45,709
like--
816
00:37:45,792 --> 00:37:47,834
And she's like, "Oh, wow!"
817
00:37:47,918 --> 00:37:51,834
You know, she's never seen
anything like that, so...
818
00:37:51,918 --> 00:37:54,667
This is a story for us.
819
00:37:54,751 --> 00:37:57,667
- All things do lie open.
- Money talks.
820
00:37:57,751 --> 00:38:00,709
- Mm.
- Always has, always will.
821
00:38:00,792 --> 00:38:02,292
- Truth.
Blaow, blaow.
822
00:38:02,375 --> 00:38:03,792
And I have a bag...
- [laughter]
823
00:38:03,876 --> 00:38:06,167
- Of money there
that troubles me.
824
00:38:07,918 --> 00:38:10,751
My family's Nigerian.
My mother's very religious.
825
00:38:10,834 --> 00:38:12,334
My family's very religious.
826
00:38:12,417 --> 00:38:14,667
Grew up loving a white God
827
00:38:14,751 --> 00:38:16,375
in a country
that was carved out
828
00:38:16,459 --> 00:38:19,375
by a white colonizing nation.
829
00:38:19,459 --> 00:38:22,709
And that still
very much infects what it is
830
00:38:22,792 --> 00:38:24,459
to be Nigerian,
831
00:38:24,542 --> 00:38:26,459
either here or in Nigeria.
832
00:38:26,542 --> 00:38:27,792
- Act two, scene two.
833
00:38:27,876 --> 00:38:30,209
- I think
this play can do so much
834
00:38:30,292 --> 00:38:32,125
for so many people as far
as finding the power
835
00:38:32,209 --> 00:38:33,375
in their lineage.
836
00:38:33,459 --> 00:38:37,500
- It's been a long,
hard year, y'all.
837
00:38:37,584 --> 00:38:42,125
Couldn't go to the clubs,
couldn't hit up the bars,
838
00:38:42,209 --> 00:38:45,083
liquor stores was closed
all early.
839
00:38:45,167 --> 00:38:49,167
I been stuck in the house
just eating snacks,
840
00:38:49,250 --> 00:38:51,584
bored out my goddamn mind.
841
00:38:51,667 --> 00:38:53,167
[laughter]
842
00:38:53,250 --> 00:38:55,542
You know
what I'm talking about?
843
00:38:55,626 --> 00:38:59,250
When I was being taught
how to perform this writer,
844
00:38:59,334 --> 00:39:03,542
it was always from a place of,
this is outside of you.
845
00:39:03,626 --> 00:39:04,918
You're gonna--
and this was said--
846
00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:07,751
you're gonna have to rise up.
847
00:39:07,834 --> 00:39:10,584
You're gonna have to change
and augment yourself
848
00:39:10,667 --> 00:39:15,292
to be able to earn the right
to perform this...
849
00:39:15,375 --> 00:39:19,709
to be good enough,
to be worthy...
850
00:39:19,792 --> 00:39:23,292
of it, but it's my birthright.
851
00:39:23,375 --> 00:39:25,542
The language
doesn't control me.
852
00:39:25,626 --> 00:39:28,375
I'm using it for what I want
to use it for.
853
00:39:28,459 --> 00:39:29,542
Oh, pshh!
854
00:39:29,626 --> 00:39:31,334
Please.
Pshh, pshh.
855
00:39:31,417 --> 00:39:32,584
Man, off with him.
856
00:39:32,667 --> 00:39:35,209
I will stare him
out of his wits.
857
00:39:35,292 --> 00:39:38,292
I will tap-dance like the late,
great Gregory Hines
858
00:39:38,375 --> 00:39:40,167
all over his lips.
859
00:39:40,250 --> 00:39:46,000
I shall hang like LeBron James
over the cuckold's horns.
860
00:39:46,083 --> 00:39:48,042
- Uh-huh.
861
00:39:48,125 --> 00:39:50,292
- I quit theater
because of an experience
862
00:39:50,375 --> 00:39:51,626
I had at the Delacorte.
863
00:39:51,709 --> 00:39:53,542
It really made me go,
"I've had enough."
864
00:39:53,626 --> 00:39:56,542
I walked away
because of how I was treated.
865
00:39:57,792 --> 00:40:01,042
And the idea
of tokenism was going on,
866
00:40:01,125 --> 00:40:05,250
the idea of what kind
of Black you are.
867
00:40:05,334 --> 00:40:07,250
I was
a different kind of Black.
868
00:40:07,334 --> 00:40:09,083
I'm an urban Black.
869
00:40:09,167 --> 00:40:12,209
So that was less acceptable.
What do we do with that?
870
00:40:12,292 --> 00:40:15,083
How much can you give
to something
871
00:40:15,167 --> 00:40:17,209
if it keeps slapping you
in the face?
872
00:40:18,167 --> 00:40:19,083
- We're gonna come up this way.
873
00:40:19,167 --> 00:40:20,834
We're gonna go
around the front of the stage.
874
00:40:20,918 --> 00:40:22,959
- [speaking indistinctly
over PA]
875
00:40:23,042 --> 00:40:24,292
- Sorry,
just gonna have to go around.
876
00:40:24,375 --> 00:40:25,542
- Come on up,
and we're gonna go out
877
00:40:25,626 --> 00:40:27,709
and around this way first.
878
00:40:27,792 --> 00:40:28,792
- Not yet, no.
- Yeah!
879
00:40:28,876 --> 00:40:30,125
- Check this out.
880
00:40:30,209 --> 00:40:32,834
- Oh, my goodness!
881
00:40:32,918 --> 00:40:34,667
Falstaff, my man!
882
00:40:34,751 --> 00:40:37,667
[atmospheric music]
883
00:40:37,751 --> 00:40:40,083
- Man,
when my bedroom turns around,
884
00:40:40,167 --> 00:40:41,876
and there's my face
with the crown on,
885
00:40:41,959 --> 00:40:44,042
it's like, I'm like, yo...
886
00:40:44,959 --> 00:40:47,459
God's got a good sense
of humor, bro.
887
00:40:47,542 --> 00:40:49,876
[laughs]
You know what I'm saying?
888
00:40:49,959 --> 00:40:51,667
Like, I'm a man of faith,
I'm not gonna hide--
889
00:40:51,751 --> 00:40:54,834
God has a really good sense
of humor.
890
00:40:57,375 --> 00:41:02,876
♪ Have I caught thee,
my heavenly jewel? ♪
891
00:41:02,959 --> 00:41:05,250
Man.
892
00:41:05,334 --> 00:41:07,334
It's such a gift.
893
00:41:09,125 --> 00:41:10,918
If you had--
894
00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:15,959
♪ ♪
895
00:41:16,042 --> 00:41:17,751
[voice breaking]
I'm sorry.
896
00:41:20,918 --> 00:41:22,959
If you had told me...
897
00:41:24,918 --> 00:41:26,834
That this would--
I wouldn't have believed you.
898
00:41:26,918 --> 00:41:29,667
[sniffles]
899
00:41:29,751 --> 00:41:31,167
It's a gift.
900
00:41:31,250 --> 00:41:32,709
- Three...
901
00:41:34,292 --> 00:41:36,292
- It's a community
902
00:41:36,375 --> 00:41:40,667
and truly is a play
about community.
903
00:41:44,667 --> 00:41:47,959
- Yay!
Amazing, genius!
904
00:41:52,751 --> 00:41:54,626
- Then you go, "Ugh!"
905
00:41:54,709 --> 00:41:56,667
And then you go, "Ha!"
906
00:41:56,751 --> 00:41:58,250
- [shouting indistinctly]
907
00:41:58,334 --> 00:42:01,292
[all grunting]
908
00:42:04,292 --> 00:42:06,292
- It's like the way that
that thing works
909
00:42:06,375 --> 00:42:08,542
is it hits down on the pipe.
The pipe...
910
00:42:08,626 --> 00:42:10,459
- Tip it up a little bit.
911
00:42:10,542 --> 00:42:12,000
Thank you.
Next.
912
00:42:12,083 --> 00:42:19,042
♪ ♪
913
00:42:23,751 --> 00:42:26,876
- Yeah, that's my mom.
Welcome to my family corner.
914
00:42:26,959 --> 00:42:28,792
Um...
[clears throat]
915
00:42:28,876 --> 00:42:31,667
My mom's still in Texas,
which is where I'm from.
916
00:42:31,751 --> 00:42:33,584
Can't be out here
with bad edges.
917
00:42:33,667 --> 00:42:35,876
My barber would kill me.
918
00:42:35,959 --> 00:42:37,459
She was a single parent.
919
00:42:37,542 --> 00:42:38,751
She works for the government.
920
00:42:38,834 --> 00:42:41,250
She does loans for FEMA,
which is dope.
921
00:42:41,334 --> 00:42:42,334
She says she really wants
to come
922
00:42:42,417 --> 00:42:44,167
to Shakespeare in the Park
923
00:42:44,250 --> 00:42:47,584
'cause that's
actually something she...
924
00:42:47,667 --> 00:42:50,125
she just has heard me talk
about my whole life,
925
00:42:50,209 --> 00:42:51,167
just being like,
926
00:42:51,250 --> 00:42:53,250
"I want to work
at Shakespeare in the Park."
927
00:42:53,334 --> 00:42:54,584
So now
that I'm finally doing it,
928
00:42:54,667 --> 00:42:58,542
I think she will be
swooping in.
929
00:42:58,626 --> 00:43:00,918
There's some moments where
I'm like, this is just a dream,
930
00:43:01,000 --> 00:43:04,250
I'm gonna wake up, and I'm not
gonna be in New York working.
931
00:43:04,334 --> 00:43:07,000
'Cause I just moved here,
like--
932
00:43:07,083 --> 00:43:09,000
I moved here August 30th.
933
00:43:09,083 --> 00:43:11,334
I was here for,
technically, six months,
934
00:43:11,417 --> 00:43:13,292
and then the pandemic hit.
935
00:43:13,375 --> 00:43:17,375
So I was quite literally
just beginning my, like--
936
00:43:17,459 --> 00:43:20,209
Like, The Public was
the first place to hire me.
937
00:43:20,292 --> 00:43:22,334
To be just graduating
from college
938
00:43:22,417 --> 00:43:23,918
and to be hired at The Public,
939
00:43:24,000 --> 00:43:27,000
I was extremely blessed,
and I still am.
940
00:43:28,167 --> 00:43:30,125
My mom,
she's an amazing singer,
941
00:43:30,209 --> 00:43:33,125
so I've actually been in,
you know,
942
00:43:33,209 --> 00:43:35,125
the fine arts--
good morning--
943
00:43:35,209 --> 00:43:38,417
the fine arts
and all that stuff for a bit.
944
00:43:38,500 --> 00:43:41,667
And she wanted to go do it,
but my grandmother got sick.
945
00:43:41,751 --> 00:43:44,792
My mom's the only daughter
she had, so she had to stay.
946
00:43:44,876 --> 00:43:50,209
It's that weird, like, I'm
doing this for myself,
947
00:43:50,292 --> 00:43:52,417
but I'm also really doing this
for my mom.
948
00:43:54,000 --> 00:43:55,167
Ugh.
949
00:43:56,459 --> 00:43:57,500
Ah, I hear it.
950
00:44:01,292 --> 00:44:02,709
I had a 12-year plan.
951
00:44:02,792 --> 00:44:04,250
I was like, all right,
I'ma move to New York,
952
00:44:04,334 --> 00:44:06,876
I'ma work at some
off-off-off-Broadway theater,
953
00:44:06,959 --> 00:44:09,542
you know, really, like...
954
00:44:09,626 --> 00:44:12,167
in the gutter, you know,
just doing the work
955
00:44:12,250 --> 00:44:14,334
to work my way up.
956
00:44:14,417 --> 00:44:18,250
But The Public Theater,
that was the goal.
957
00:44:18,334 --> 00:44:21,334
I'm a Black,
queer woman in sound.
958
00:44:21,417 --> 00:44:22,667
You don't see a lot of us.
959
00:44:22,751 --> 00:44:25,876
And to automatically get
to the Public,
960
00:44:25,959 --> 00:44:28,250
just as over-hire,
like, that was,
961
00:44:28,334 --> 00:44:32,876
like, year 8
in my 12-year plan, right?
962
00:44:32,959 --> 00:44:35,417
Every day
there is a part of me--
963
00:44:35,500 --> 00:44:38,083
and it's a very quiet voice
in the back of my head...
964
00:44:38,167 --> 00:44:39,792
[train announcer speaking
indistinctly over PA]
965
00:44:39,876 --> 00:44:41,334
But it's so insistent,
966
00:44:41,417 --> 00:44:46,459
that's saying, "The reason
why I am where I am right now
967
00:44:46,542 --> 00:44:51,417
"is because I ticked off the
diversity and inclusion card
968
00:44:51,500 --> 00:44:53,459
on anything."
969
00:44:53,542 --> 00:44:56,584
It's a very quiet voice,
970
00:44:56,667 --> 00:44:58,375
but it's there, you know?
971
00:44:58,459 --> 00:45:01,042
No, but I'm good.
I know I'm good.
972
00:45:01,125 --> 00:45:04,542
And that's the other, louder
voice on the other side
973
00:45:04,626 --> 00:45:06,959
that's like, "Hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
974
00:45:07,042 --> 00:45:09,542
Chill the fuck out.
You're at The Public."
975
00:45:09,626 --> 00:45:11,709
It's The Public Theater, like,
976
00:45:11,792 --> 00:45:15,459
some of the best works start
at The Public, you know?
977
00:45:15,542 --> 00:45:17,500
So, yeah, no,
it's still a flex.
978
00:45:17,584 --> 00:45:20,834
It's still a hard flex.
I'm like, "I did that."
979
00:45:20,918 --> 00:45:23,792
Well, my mom and everybody
that helped me, we did that.
980
00:45:23,876 --> 00:45:26,876
[train announcer speaking
indistinctly over PA]
981
00:45:31,042 --> 00:45:33,959
[birds chirping]
982
00:45:40,626 --> 00:45:43,542
[indistinct chatter
over radio]
983
00:45:44,709 --> 00:45:46,709
- The colors this year
look pretty.
984
00:45:46,792 --> 00:45:49,459
[indistinct chatter]
985
00:45:49,542 --> 00:45:52,292
[cheerful music]
986
00:45:52,375 --> 00:45:54,334
- It's so hot.
987
00:45:54,417 --> 00:45:57,834
On our first day,
it's 95 degrees.
988
00:45:57,918 --> 00:45:59,709
Okay, Central Park, here we go.
989
00:45:59,792 --> 00:46:04,667
♪ ♪
990
00:46:04,751 --> 00:46:09,167
I don't know.
I'm super hyped, 'cause--
991
00:46:09,250 --> 00:46:11,834
I don't know. It's like,
theater's coming back.
992
00:46:11,918 --> 00:46:14,876
I've never done
the Park before.
993
00:46:14,959 --> 00:46:17,542
I feel like we have
a really great show.
994
00:46:17,626 --> 00:46:20,626
And, like, I don't know.
This is, like...
995
00:46:22,417 --> 00:46:25,792
The actor dream, you know,
doing Shakespeare in the Park.
996
00:46:28,250 --> 00:46:29,959
Come on, mask.
I know you're in here.
997
00:46:30,042 --> 00:46:33,000
I got, like, coconut water.
998
00:46:33,083 --> 00:46:35,167
I got Essentia.
999
00:46:35,250 --> 00:46:37,375
I got bug spray.
1000
00:46:37,459 --> 00:46:39,042
I got sunblock.
1001
00:46:39,125 --> 00:46:40,542
I'm ready for the park, man.
1002
00:46:45,792 --> 00:46:48,876
It's real.
Oh, snap.
1003
00:46:48,959 --> 00:46:51,042
Oh, snap.
1004
00:46:51,125 --> 00:46:54,417
[laughing]
Oh, wow.
1005
00:46:54,500 --> 00:46:57,500
The Ford's Laundromat...
1006
00:46:57,584 --> 00:46:58,834
hair braiding salon.
1007
00:46:58,918 --> 00:47:01,375
Hello.
Hi.
1008
00:47:01,459 --> 00:47:03,667
- Hey.
Isn't it amazing?
1009
00:47:03,751 --> 00:47:05,125
- Yeah, yeah.
1010
00:47:05,209 --> 00:47:07,292
[power tools buzzing]
1011
00:47:07,375 --> 00:47:10,876
What are we doing?
We're doing a show.
1012
00:47:10,959 --> 00:47:12,417
Look at that.
- I know.
1013
00:47:12,500 --> 00:47:15,042
- Oh, not the broken A/C.
1014
00:47:15,125 --> 00:47:17,042
- [laughs]
- Authentic.
1015
00:47:17,125 --> 00:47:18,792
Authentic.
- All right, listen.
1016
00:47:18,876 --> 00:47:19,792
Listen.
- I love it.
1017
00:47:19,876 --> 00:47:21,751
- All the way, all the way.
- All the way.
1018
00:47:21,834 --> 00:47:23,584
- Yeah.
Isn't it amazing?
1019
00:47:23,667 --> 00:47:25,375
- It's really cool.
- It's--it's gonna be glorious.
1020
00:47:25,459 --> 00:47:26,709
- Yeah.
1021
00:47:28,709 --> 00:47:32,417
- Folks, welcome
to the first day of tech...
1022
00:47:32,500 --> 00:47:35,584
[cheers and applause]
For "Merry Wives."
1023
00:47:35,667 --> 00:47:38,083
We are here.
We made it.
1024
00:47:38,167 --> 00:47:40,000
[cheers and applause continue]
1025
00:47:40,083 --> 00:47:42,584
- Most important thing
is hydration
1026
00:47:42,667 --> 00:47:45,375
and staying in the shade
as much as you're able to.
1027
00:47:45,459 --> 00:47:50,042
Sunscreen is available
at the hydration stations here.
1028
00:47:50,125 --> 00:47:52,584
- And the last thing
I want to say is,
1029
00:47:52,667 --> 00:47:54,500
in the rehearsal room,
the cast knows,
1030
00:47:54,584 --> 00:47:57,709
Saheem and I really tried
to make an environment
1031
00:47:57,792 --> 00:48:03,125
where everyone felt heard
and seen and welcome,
1032
00:48:03,209 --> 00:48:04,751
which is not to say that
1033
00:48:04,834 --> 00:48:06,876
that means
that there's no challenges
1034
00:48:06,959 --> 00:48:09,626
or problems or frustrations.
1035
00:48:09,709 --> 00:48:13,626
There will be challenges
and problems and frustrations.
1036
00:48:13,709 --> 00:48:16,959
But what this means is that we
are able to actually speak up
1037
00:48:17,042 --> 00:48:19,167
and everybody has agency.
1038
00:48:27,792 --> 00:48:30,083
- I'm from Ghana,
born and raised.
1039
00:48:30,167 --> 00:48:31,876
Lived there half my life,
and so for me,
1040
00:48:31,959 --> 00:48:33,751
this show has been
very rewarding
1041
00:48:33,834 --> 00:48:35,709
in the sense that I could tap
into a culture
1042
00:48:35,792 --> 00:48:37,417
that I've been around
growing up.
1043
00:48:37,500 --> 00:48:40,125
I've also lived in Harlem.
I've been to Senegal.
1044
00:48:40,209 --> 00:48:42,959
So I had a lot of fun just
thinking about the differences
1045
00:48:43,042 --> 00:48:45,292
and the nuances
that you would find
1046
00:48:45,375 --> 00:48:48,375
within different
African cultures.
1047
00:48:48,459 --> 00:48:49,876
The curtain-call look
that we have--
1048
00:48:49,959 --> 00:48:52,375
Abena, who plays Anne Page,
which was custom built
1049
00:48:52,459 --> 00:48:55,417
by The Public Theater
costume shop.
1050
00:48:55,500 --> 00:48:57,751
And it's out of woven fabric
from Ghana,
1051
00:48:57,834 --> 00:48:59,792
and this is traditionally
called kente cloth.
1052
00:48:59,876 --> 00:49:00,959
This is a fun one.
1053
00:49:01,042 --> 00:49:04,334
This is for our Pastor Evans,
who's played by Phillip.
1054
00:49:04,417 --> 00:49:06,834
And you'll see here,
we've custom embroidered
1055
00:49:06,918 --> 00:49:10,459
a patch on here
for his ministry.
1056
00:49:10,542 --> 00:49:12,584
So there are little details
that we've speckled
1057
00:49:12,667 --> 00:49:15,626
through the entire show just
to add more depth and layers
1058
00:49:15,709 --> 00:49:17,292
to who these people are.
1059
00:49:17,375 --> 00:49:20,542
Even before we're onstage,
there's a part of theater
1060
00:49:20,626 --> 00:49:23,584
where I'm in the fitting room
with an actor,
1061
00:49:23,667 --> 00:49:25,626
and I might put a scarf
on them,
1062
00:49:25,709 --> 00:49:28,292
or I might put them
in a specific blouse,
1063
00:49:28,375 --> 00:49:30,250
and I see them morph
in front of me.
1064
00:49:30,334 --> 00:49:32,209
They automatically,
like, shift
1065
00:49:32,292 --> 00:49:34,042
their, like, body movement.
1066
00:49:34,125 --> 00:49:36,042
And we're like,
"Yes, we found the character."
1067
00:49:36,125 --> 00:49:38,000
That alone is, like--
1068
00:49:38,083 --> 00:49:39,542
it's transformation
before my eyes.
1069
00:49:39,626 --> 00:49:42,042
- I do look good!
- The shoes.
1070
00:49:42,125 --> 00:49:43,709
[laughter]
1071
00:49:43,792 --> 00:49:45,500
You look fabulous.
- So do you.
1072
00:49:45,584 --> 00:49:47,626
Oh, beautiful!
- Yeah.
1073
00:49:47,709 --> 00:49:49,125
- Yo, this is dope.
- Wonderful.
1074
00:49:49,209 --> 00:49:50,626
- Oh, my God.
Look at you.
1075
00:49:50,709 --> 00:49:52,626
- Yeah.
- Wow.
1076
00:49:52,709 --> 00:49:54,500
- Wow.
- You look like a--
1077
00:49:54,584 --> 00:49:56,000
You look like a floating ghost.
1078
00:49:56,083 --> 00:49:59,167
- Yes, it's like...
- [laughs]
1079
00:49:59,250 --> 00:50:01,167
- Except I got
to be very careful.
1080
00:50:01,250 --> 00:50:03,167
[all cheering]
1081
00:50:03,250 --> 00:50:05,626
- Hey!
- Yay!
1082
00:50:05,709 --> 00:50:07,083
- Yeah!
- Hey!
1083
00:50:07,167 --> 00:50:09,667
[laughs]
1084
00:50:09,751 --> 00:50:12,000
- Oh!
Are you a blonde?
1085
00:50:12,083 --> 00:50:14,500
- I am a blonde.
- Why are you blonde?
1086
00:50:14,584 --> 00:50:16,417
- Oh, okay.
- Beyoncé.
1087
00:50:16,500 --> 00:50:17,918
- Beyoncé.
1088
00:50:18,000 --> 00:50:20,918
- Nkechi Beyoncé.
Is that your middle name?
1089
00:50:21,000 --> 00:50:23,042
- Madam!
- Husband!
1090
00:50:23,125 --> 00:50:25,375
[groans]
1091
00:50:25,459 --> 00:50:27,083
- You guys look beautiful.
- Oh, wow.
1092
00:50:27,167 --> 00:50:29,876
- Turns out that I'm the most
African representation on here,
1093
00:50:29,959 --> 00:50:32,000
and I'm the most
urban looking.
1094
00:50:32,083 --> 00:50:33,375
[chuckles]
1095
00:50:33,459 --> 00:50:36,042
But you see here, like, the way
that Dede's designed everybody,
1096
00:50:36,125 --> 00:50:38,209
she's made everyone specific
to a region
1097
00:50:38,292 --> 00:50:39,500
and a style as well.
1098
00:50:39,584 --> 00:50:41,375
Not just a region but a style.
1099
00:50:41,459 --> 00:50:43,042
So it's really cool.
Shows the diversity.
1100
00:50:43,125 --> 00:50:44,375
And I think that's
what makes this show unique,
1101
00:50:44,459 --> 00:50:46,125
'cause we're not just
representing one country.
1102
00:50:46,209 --> 00:50:49,292
We're literally representing
every African in Harlem,
1103
00:50:49,375 --> 00:50:52,167
which is--
she did a pretty good job.
1104
00:50:52,250 --> 00:50:54,959
- It's fashion!
It's a fashion show.
1105
00:50:55,042 --> 00:50:57,626
Fashion, fashion.
[indistinct chatter]
1106
00:50:57,709 --> 00:51:00,500
- All right, welcome back,
everyone, welcome back.
1107
00:51:00,584 --> 00:51:02,834
You all look amazing.
1108
00:51:02,918 --> 00:51:06,709
Can we give a round of applause
to Dede Ayite, please?
1109
00:51:06,792 --> 00:51:09,417
And costume folks.
You all look amazing.
1110
00:51:09,500 --> 00:51:10,918
Rodrigo, the whole crew,
the whole crew,
1111
00:51:11,000 --> 00:51:13,667
the whole costume crew,
thank you.
1112
00:51:13,751 --> 00:51:16,417
All right, so we're gonna go
from top of show.
1113
00:51:16,500 --> 00:51:18,584
Ah, Narda, anything?
1114
00:51:18,667 --> 00:51:19,959
- We are teching officially.
1115
00:51:20,042 --> 00:51:21,667
Literally,
we're gonna go through
1116
00:51:21,751 --> 00:51:22,918
and setting all of the cues.
1117
00:51:23,000 --> 00:51:25,125
It's very likely
that the next time we come back
1118
00:51:25,209 --> 00:51:28,500
to any of this, we will be
in a run-through situation.
1119
00:51:30,209 --> 00:51:35,709
So, once again, Farai
has been playing and playing,
1120
00:51:35,792 --> 00:51:38,250
and it's just about 8:00.
1121
00:51:39,125 --> 00:51:42,834
Good evening, folks, welcome
to the Delacorte Theater.
1122
00:51:42,918 --> 00:51:47,584
Announcement and announcement,
and announcement ends.
1123
00:51:51,375 --> 00:51:58,334
♪ ♪
1124
00:51:59,876 --> 00:52:02,667
- Critters, they've run riot.
1125
00:52:03,959 --> 00:52:06,751
Free creatures
there looking at me...
1126
00:52:06,834 --> 00:52:08,375
trying to come out.
1127
00:52:10,459 --> 00:52:12,209
'Cause you don't know
what they're gonna do.
1128
00:52:12,292 --> 00:52:14,250
You think they're gonna go,
"Wahh!"
1129
00:52:16,584 --> 00:52:19,042
- Yeah.
They're brave, those guys.
1130
00:52:19,125 --> 00:52:20,125
- They're brave.
1131
00:52:20,209 --> 00:52:22,042
- Great, folks,
we're ready to try this
1132
00:52:22,125 --> 00:52:23,292
and continue forward.
1133
00:52:23,375 --> 00:52:25,375
Falstaff, we're gonna take it
from your out.
1134
00:52:25,459 --> 00:52:26,751
And go, please.
1135
00:52:26,834 --> 00:52:29,042
- Okay,
I'll answer it straight.
1136
00:52:29,125 --> 00:52:30,542
I don't have it.
1137
00:52:30,626 --> 00:52:32,834
This is now answered.
1138
00:52:32,918 --> 00:52:33,959
- One moment,
I'll give you the go.
1139
00:52:34,042 --> 00:52:35,876
"Okay, I will answer it
straight."
1140
00:52:35,959 --> 00:52:39,209
So standby on Paige.
Standby, wives.
1141
00:52:39,292 --> 00:52:40,709
- All right.
- Hold on, hold on.
1142
00:52:44,083 --> 00:52:45,000
- Good, it feels great.
1143
00:52:45,083 --> 00:52:46,709
It feels like--
- Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
1144
00:52:46,792 --> 00:52:48,500
- It feels similar to what's
in the rehearsal room.
1145
00:52:48,584 --> 00:52:50,000
- Okay, great.
1146
00:52:55,584 --> 00:52:56,584
- Where the lookout was.
1147
00:52:56,667 --> 00:52:58,792
Are we ready to move on?
- Yes.
1148
00:52:58,876 --> 00:53:00,667
- What's very difficult with
being in an open-air theater
1149
00:53:00,751 --> 00:53:01,626
is you can only tech--
1150
00:53:01,709 --> 00:53:02,667
and, you know,
and that's looking
1151
00:53:02,751 --> 00:53:03,626
at the lighting, the sound,
1152
00:53:03,709 --> 00:53:05,083
and everything--in the evening,
1153
00:53:05,167 --> 00:53:06,167
because in the afternoons
1154
00:53:06,250 --> 00:53:08,375
when the actors rehearse,
it's daylight.
1155
00:53:08,459 --> 00:53:10,250
So you can't really do
lighting.
1156
00:53:10,334 --> 00:53:11,918
You can't really do things.
1157
00:53:17,459 --> 00:53:19,375
Anytime that you lose,
1158
00:53:19,459 --> 00:53:22,000
you're really biting
into that very precious time
1159
00:53:22,083 --> 00:53:24,334
that there is
to get the show on.
1160
00:53:24,417 --> 00:53:29,000
- I have, like, five more
microphones I need to prepare,
1161
00:53:29,083 --> 00:53:31,042
listen to.
1162
00:53:31,125 --> 00:53:33,125
- This outdoor theater
taught us all
1163
00:53:33,209 --> 00:53:36,167
that rain is like--
"Oh, it's gonna rain?
1164
00:53:36,250 --> 00:53:37,167
Okay, we just stop."
1165
00:53:37,250 --> 00:53:39,667
It teaches you
that you have no control.
1166
00:53:39,751 --> 00:53:41,626
It's like, sit down,
take a breath,
1167
00:53:41,709 --> 00:53:43,709
and how can you be productive
in this rain?
1168
00:53:43,792 --> 00:53:46,417
Get 'em, get 'em, get 'em!
1169
00:53:46,500 --> 00:53:47,667
More!
1170
00:53:49,667 --> 00:53:51,959
[vocalizing drum beat]
1171
00:53:53,584 --> 00:53:55,292
Exactly.
[all cheer]
1172
00:53:55,375 --> 00:53:56,417
Yeah.
1173
00:53:58,375 --> 00:54:00,125
Here, here, here, and here.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
1174
00:54:00,209 --> 00:54:01,125
- In the beginning.
1175
00:54:01,209 --> 00:54:02,959
- "Corrupt, corrupt,
tainted in desire."
1176
00:54:03,042 --> 00:54:06,417
I feel like--
one idea is to then get--
1177
00:54:06,500 --> 00:54:08,125
- I guess many people
don't know--some people know,
1178
00:54:08,209 --> 00:54:11,125
my mother passed very recently.
1179
00:54:11,209 --> 00:54:14,459
She passed right
before rehearsal started.
1180
00:54:14,542 --> 00:54:17,667
You know, she died from COVID.
1181
00:54:17,751 --> 00:54:19,667
A show like this,
she would have loved it
1182
00:54:19,751 --> 00:54:21,459
because she would
have seen herself.
1183
00:54:21,542 --> 00:54:25,167
Here we go! Let's go to
the top, with Mama Quickly.
1184
00:54:25,250 --> 00:54:26,834
- Spirits, black, gray, green,
and white,
1185
00:54:26,918 --> 00:54:29,667
you moonshine revelers
and shades of night,
1186
00:54:29,751 --> 00:54:33,500
- Every night in the show,
Shola, Mama Quickly--
1187
00:54:33,584 --> 00:54:36,542
Jocelyn wrote
this beautiful speech
1188
00:54:36,626 --> 00:54:40,792
about spirits and ancestors,
and we're doing it for you.
1189
00:54:40,876 --> 00:54:43,709
It's everything I need right
now every time I hear it.
1190
00:54:43,792 --> 00:54:46,125
- Spirits, I call on you,
come about,
1191
00:54:46,209 --> 00:54:48,959
all of you spirits,
both within and out,
1192
00:54:49,042 --> 00:54:52,125
for we made it through
the great test of storms.
1193
00:54:52,209 --> 00:54:55,709
Now freedom--now days of love,
joy, freedom born.
1194
00:54:55,792 --> 00:55:00,250
- "Now many spirits have
joined you spirits above,
1195
00:55:00,334 --> 00:55:02,792
"honored forever
in dignified love.
1196
00:55:02,876 --> 00:55:06,500
"New meaning to life,
we all understand
1197
00:55:06,584 --> 00:55:09,834
"that love is present...
1198
00:55:09,918 --> 00:55:11,834
wherever we land."
1199
00:55:11,918 --> 00:55:13,918
I mean, to see the words is--
1200
00:55:16,125 --> 00:55:18,334
[voice breaking]
That's it.
1201
00:55:18,417 --> 00:55:19,751
Um...
1202
00:55:21,167 --> 00:55:24,292
This is why we live.
1203
00:55:24,375 --> 00:55:27,667
[sniffles]
1204
00:55:27,751 --> 00:55:30,167
How lucky am I
to get in a show
1205
00:55:30,250 --> 00:55:33,876
where she wrote this
for this show?
1206
00:55:33,959 --> 00:55:37,000
You know?
1207
00:55:37,083 --> 00:55:38,584
I can't--
1208
00:55:38,667 --> 00:55:41,083
I can't ask for more, you know?
1209
00:55:41,167 --> 00:55:44,209
It's like a blessing.
Your steps are ordered.
1210
00:55:44,292 --> 00:55:45,209
You know?
1211
00:55:45,292 --> 00:55:47,876
Lean in.
1212
00:55:47,959 --> 00:55:50,792
So that's gonna go flip.
It's gonna go up.
1213
00:55:50,876 --> 00:55:53,334
These actors,
this creative team,
1214
00:55:53,417 --> 00:55:57,417
this whole process
has been very healing.
1215
00:55:57,500 --> 00:55:58,417
Good.
1216
00:55:58,500 --> 00:56:00,375
Just thanks for all
your experimentation
1217
00:56:00,459 --> 00:56:02,584
and just being there with us
and your patience.
1218
00:56:02,667 --> 00:56:04,375
Yeah, thank you.
all: Thank you.
1219
00:56:04,459 --> 00:56:05,876
- Thank you so much, too,
for helping us.
1220
00:56:05,959 --> 00:56:07,459
Farai, hey, thank you.
1221
00:56:07,542 --> 00:56:09,542
[cheers]
- Yeah, Farai.
1222
00:56:09,626 --> 00:56:11,250
[indistinct chatter]
1223
00:56:16,000 --> 00:56:18,375
[overlapping speech]
1224
00:56:18,459 --> 00:56:20,042
- Could you come
backstage right?
1225
00:56:20,125 --> 00:56:22,542
One of these trees just
fell apart.
1226
00:56:22,626 --> 00:56:24,417
- We need a second--
1227
00:56:24,500 --> 00:56:26,125
[indistinct chatter]
1228
00:56:26,209 --> 00:56:27,834
Did someone lean on it?
- No.
1229
00:56:27,918 --> 00:56:30,250
- Fell on its own?
- Just on its own.
1230
00:56:30,334 --> 00:56:32,000
- I think it's something
about, like,
1231
00:56:32,083 --> 00:56:34,209
if a tree falls on the stage...
1232
00:56:34,292 --> 00:56:35,209
- I'm guessing--
- Does anybody hear it?
1233
00:56:35,292 --> 00:56:36,876
- But an audience isn't
in the house--
1234
00:56:36,959 --> 00:56:38,292
- But no audience is there--
1235
00:56:38,375 --> 00:56:40,334
- I heard it.
1236
00:56:40,417 --> 00:56:42,083
- What's the rest of that?
1237
00:56:42,167 --> 00:56:43,918
- If a tree falls
in the theater
1238
00:56:44,000 --> 00:56:46,417
and no one's around to hear it,
is it art?
1239
00:56:46,500 --> 00:56:48,459
- I need a D-ring screwed
to this wall right here,
1240
00:56:48,542 --> 00:56:50,209
and I'm gonna safety up
this tie.
1241
00:56:50,292 --> 00:56:53,250
[power tools buzzing]
1242
00:56:53,334 --> 00:56:55,250
- Yeah, it looks,
like, real, right?
1243
00:56:55,334 --> 00:56:56,751
- Yeah.
- It looks intentional.
1244
00:56:56,834 --> 00:56:58,584
- They won't even notice.
1245
00:56:58,667 --> 00:57:00,751
- Today is the last day
of tech.
1246
00:57:00,834 --> 00:57:03,751
Ordinarily, we would have run
through the show
1247
00:57:03,834 --> 00:57:05,042
on Saturday
before the day off,
1248
00:57:05,125 --> 00:57:06,500
and then today's
about addressing
1249
00:57:06,584 --> 00:57:07,667
what we learned from there,
1250
00:57:07,751 --> 00:57:10,667
but because we lost
so many hours due to the rain,
1251
00:57:10,751 --> 00:57:12,209
we're behind.
1252
00:57:12,292 --> 00:57:14,500
So, yeah.
1253
00:57:14,584 --> 00:57:17,667
We are hopefully
gonna run most of the show
1254
00:57:17,751 --> 00:57:18,751
this evening.
1255
00:57:18,834 --> 00:57:20,626
We'll have to stop
and tech the rest of it.
1256
00:57:20,709 --> 00:57:22,292
So, at this juncture, it's
looking like the first time
1257
00:57:22,375 --> 00:57:24,125
we're gonna get through
the show from start to end
1258
00:57:24,209 --> 00:57:27,000
will be with an audience
for first preview,
1259
00:57:27,083 --> 00:57:29,000
which happens sometimes,
you know?
1260
00:57:29,083 --> 00:57:30,626
You want to be a bit
ahead of it,
1261
00:57:30,709 --> 00:57:32,083
but when the elements--
1262
00:57:32,167 --> 00:57:34,626
when Mother Nature steps in
and says--
1263
00:57:34,709 --> 00:57:37,751
[laughs]
Laughs at us,
1264
00:57:37,834 --> 00:57:40,459
then we just got to roll
with the punches.
1265
00:57:40,542 --> 00:57:43,500
So we're gonna
work tonight with costumes
1266
00:57:43,584 --> 00:57:45,083
and then continue
teching the show,
1267
00:57:45,167 --> 00:57:47,292
and then we'll have
our first audience tomorrow.
1268
00:57:48,709 --> 00:57:52,292
- ♪ Spirits, I call on you,
come about ♪
1269
00:57:52,375 --> 00:57:55,876
♪ All of you spirits,
both in and out ♪
1270
00:57:55,959 --> 00:57:59,709
♪ Now many have joined
you spirits above ♪
1271
00:57:59,792 --> 00:58:03,417
♪ Honored forever
in dignified love ♪
1272
00:58:05,167 --> 00:58:06,667
- And let's hold right here,
please.
1273
00:58:06,751 --> 00:58:09,042
So I believe Darrell may be
working with some folks.
1274
00:58:11,209 --> 00:58:13,876
- Just go to your sides.
1275
00:58:13,959 --> 00:58:17,667
Yeah, so let's say Farai
is on deck,
1276
00:58:17,751 --> 00:58:20,375
and remember who's after Farai.
1277
00:58:20,459 --> 00:58:23,000
So we're gonna go
from "Away. Disperse."
1278
00:58:23,083 --> 00:58:25,334
- Away.
Disperse.
1279
00:58:25,417 --> 00:58:27,542
But till 'tis 1:00, folk.
1280
00:58:37,000 --> 00:58:38,792
- Oh, thank you.
1281
00:58:38,876 --> 00:58:41,751
[indistinct chatter]
1282
00:58:41,834 --> 00:58:43,751
- First time is
really the worst.
1283
00:58:43,834 --> 00:58:45,542
- [laughs]
- But you got this.
1284
00:58:45,626 --> 00:58:47,125
Once you do it, you can do it
every day
1285
00:58:47,209 --> 00:58:49,209
for the rest of the summer..
1286
00:58:49,292 --> 00:58:51,709
- The front-of-house staff
has been furloughed
1287
00:58:51,792 --> 00:58:56,375
since March of 2020,
1288
00:58:56,459 --> 00:58:57,542
so it's really emotional
1289
00:58:57,626 --> 00:59:00,417
to have everybody back,
and we're all excited
1290
00:59:00,500 --> 00:59:04,751
and nervous
and just all the things.
1291
00:59:17,375 --> 00:59:20,459
- And, folks, we will be
warming up onstage vocally.
1292
00:59:20,542 --> 00:59:22,792
We will be warming up
onstage vocally, thank you.
1293
00:59:22,876 --> 00:59:25,834
[both vocalizing]
1294
00:59:37,542 --> 00:59:38,918
- First preview's
always special.
1295
00:59:39,000 --> 00:59:40,083
It's always the first time.
1296
00:59:40,167 --> 00:59:41,918
You've been rehearsing
just by yourselves.
1297
00:59:42,000 --> 00:59:43,417
You've been laughing
at your own jokes.
1298
00:59:43,500 --> 00:59:46,167
You know,
you know what's coming.
1299
00:59:46,250 --> 00:59:49,083
And so you don't have
that fresh feeling,
1300
00:59:49,167 --> 00:59:52,459
and especially for a comedy,
the first audience is like--
1301
00:59:52,542 --> 00:59:54,876
they're a barometer, you know.
1302
00:59:54,959 --> 00:59:57,000
I can't wait, I can't wait.
We're ready.
1303
00:59:57,083 --> 00:59:59,834
Even though we lost hours
of tech, we're ready.
1304
00:59:59,918 --> 01:00:02,876
[mellow percussion]
1305
01:00:02,959 --> 01:00:05,292
♪ ♪
1306
01:00:05,375 --> 01:00:08,334
- Actors are just naked people
in the dark
1307
01:00:08,417 --> 01:00:09,959
without some tech.
1308
01:00:10,042 --> 01:00:12,125
[laughs]
So...
1309
01:00:12,209 --> 01:00:16,667
♪ ♪
1310
01:00:16,751 --> 01:00:18,292
- This is a break.
This is ten minutes.
1311
01:00:18,375 --> 01:00:20,000
Please take
your microphones off.
1312
01:00:20,083 --> 01:00:22,167
- [grunts]
- Take your microphones off.
1313
01:00:23,500 --> 01:00:25,459
- Oy vey.
- [laughs]
1314
01:00:25,542 --> 01:00:27,500
- It's hot.
1315
01:00:27,584 --> 01:00:29,500
Here we are.
- Yeah.
1316
01:00:29,584 --> 01:00:32,417
- First preview!
[all cheer]
1317
01:00:32,500 --> 01:00:35,500
Yeah, I'm so excited.
I'm so excited.
1318
01:00:35,584 --> 01:00:38,834
You all have worked so,
so hard to get to this point.
1319
01:00:38,918 --> 01:00:41,250
It's been
an extraordinary journey.
1320
01:00:41,334 --> 01:00:43,375
There was so much
that was unknown,
1321
01:00:43,459 --> 01:00:45,500
and we have
figured it all out together.
1322
01:00:45,584 --> 01:00:47,876
Oskar was saying that
in the 16 years
1323
01:00:47,959 --> 01:00:49,751
he's been at the Delacorte,
1324
01:00:49,834 --> 01:00:52,000
we are the worst-hit tech
in 16 years,
1325
01:00:52,083 --> 01:00:55,334
in terms of just the hours that
we lost because of weather.
1326
01:00:55,417 --> 01:00:57,834
The spirit is there.
The heart is there.
1327
01:00:57,918 --> 01:01:00,000
The soul is there.
The generosity's there.
1328
01:01:00,083 --> 01:01:01,959
Everything that makes
this show special is there.
1329
01:01:02,042 --> 01:01:04,334
Tonight
we get the final piece.
1330
01:01:04,417 --> 01:01:05,834
We invite the audience to us.
1331
01:01:05,918 --> 01:01:08,000
There are folks here
who haven't sat in a theater
1332
01:01:08,083 --> 01:01:09,500
for over a year.
1333
01:01:09,584 --> 01:01:11,083
They haven't watched
live performance for over--
1334
01:01:11,167 --> 01:01:13,751
They haven't sat next
to strangers for over a year,
1335
01:01:13,834 --> 01:01:19,125
you know, so it's going to be
unlike any other first preview
1336
01:01:19,209 --> 01:01:21,584
we might get in our lifetime,
you know?
1337
01:01:21,667 --> 01:01:24,042
Thank you.
Have a great first preview!
1338
01:01:24,125 --> 01:01:26,584
[cheers and applause]
1339
01:01:26,667 --> 01:01:29,626
[wind gusting loudly]
1340
01:01:34,459 --> 01:01:37,375
- [speaking indistinctly]
1341
01:01:37,459 --> 01:01:39,626
- Back up and then left
on the ground, all over it.
1342
01:01:39,709 --> 01:01:41,709
- Stay underground.
Go back underground.
1343
01:01:41,792 --> 01:01:43,542
Go back underground.
- What are we doing with this?
1344
01:01:43,626 --> 01:01:45,500
- We got to leave this.
- Okay.
1345
01:01:45,584 --> 01:01:47,709
[metal clattering]
1346
01:01:47,792 --> 01:01:50,375
[rain pattering]
1347
01:01:50,459 --> 01:01:53,417
[contemplative music]
1348
01:01:53,500 --> 01:02:00,500
♪ ♪
1349
01:02:16,417 --> 01:02:17,918
- The real thing
that we're waiting for
1350
01:02:18,000 --> 01:02:21,918
is for the lighting to be calm
1351
01:02:22,000 --> 01:02:24,000
within 5 miles for 20 minutes,
1352
01:02:24,083 --> 01:02:26,459
at which point,
we can begin some setup
1353
01:02:26,542 --> 01:02:28,334
that can happen
in heavier rain.
1354
01:02:56,083 --> 01:02:57,959
- We encourage you to keep
wearing your masks
1355
01:02:58,042 --> 01:02:59,167
and stand by.
1356
01:02:59,250 --> 01:03:01,876
We will try to open the house
as soon as possible.
1357
01:03:01,959 --> 01:03:05,834
- This is how we show how
dedicated we New Yorkers are.
1358
01:03:05,918 --> 01:03:08,834
Nothing could be better
than Shakespeare in the Park.
1359
01:03:08,918 --> 01:03:10,959
It's my favorite thing
in the world.
1360
01:03:11,042 --> 01:03:13,167
I come for every show.
1361
01:03:13,250 --> 01:03:17,042
I mean, I can't miss this,
whatever happens, you know?
1362
01:03:17,125 --> 01:03:18,834
As long as I don't get struck
by lightning,
1363
01:03:18,918 --> 01:03:20,751
and even if I do,
it'll be worth it.
1364
01:03:20,834 --> 01:03:23,751
[indistinct chatter]
1365
01:03:23,834 --> 01:03:26,042
- I think there's a movement
happening right now in theater,
1366
01:03:26,125 --> 01:03:28,209
and I think
this is the start of it.
1367
01:03:28,292 --> 01:03:31,375
And we're here in the rain
to see the beginning of it,
1368
01:03:31,459 --> 01:03:32,709
if we can see it.
1369
01:03:34,459 --> 01:03:35,959
- Whoo!
- We're gonna do it.
1370
01:03:36,042 --> 01:03:37,876
We're gonna do it.
Yeah.
1371
01:03:37,959 --> 01:03:39,292
Let's do it.
1372
01:03:46,792 --> 01:03:48,292
We're gonna do it.
1373
01:03:49,626 --> 01:03:51,542
- Are we gonna do it?
- We're gonna do it.
1374
01:03:51,626 --> 01:03:53,375
- Come on, come on.
Let's go.
1375
01:03:53,459 --> 01:03:55,292
- We're gonna do it, friends.
- All right.
1376
01:03:55,375 --> 01:03:58,709
[indistinct chatter]
1377
01:03:58,792 --> 01:04:01,250
- Let's do it.
Let's do it.
1378
01:04:01,334 --> 01:04:02,542
All right, now.
1379
01:04:06,667 --> 01:04:08,542
- Let's go.
Let's go, let's go.
1380
01:04:11,459 --> 01:04:13,417
[squeals]
1381
01:04:18,334 --> 01:04:19,792
- We have made the decision
to proceed
1382
01:04:19,876 --> 01:04:23,500
with tonight's performance.
[cheers and applause]
1383
01:04:23,584 --> 01:04:26,083
- [laughing]
1384
01:04:28,792 --> 01:04:30,500
[laughs]
1385
01:04:31,500 --> 01:04:33,459
- What time is it?
[thunder booms]
1386
01:04:33,542 --> 01:04:35,042
- Oh, my gosh.
- Wow.
1387
01:04:35,125 --> 01:04:37,876
- Nope, we're not going.
- Did they call it yet?
1388
01:04:39,292 --> 01:04:42,792
[indistinct chatter]
1389
01:04:42,876 --> 01:04:45,626
- Should've done "The Tempest."
1390
01:04:45,709 --> 01:04:47,709
- May I have your attention--
- They're calling it.
1391
01:04:47,792 --> 01:04:49,250
- We apologize
for the inconvenience,
1392
01:04:49,334 --> 01:04:50,626
but we are sadly going
to cancel
1393
01:04:50,709 --> 01:04:52,292
this evening's performance
of "Merry Wives."
1394
01:04:52,375 --> 01:04:53,667
- No!
- We appreciate you
1395
01:04:53,751 --> 01:04:56,125
for hanging out with us
so much that we invite you all
1396
01:04:56,209 --> 01:04:58,959
to email
info@publictheater.org
1397
01:04:59,042 --> 01:05:01,250
and use the code "merryrain"
1398
01:05:01,334 --> 01:05:03,292
to reschedule your tickets
for a future date,
1399
01:05:03,375 --> 01:05:04,959
pending availability.
1400
01:05:06,542 --> 01:05:09,083
[thunder booms]
1401
01:05:09,167 --> 01:05:11,167
- We'll have it tomorrow.
1402
01:05:16,584 --> 01:05:19,751
- [sighs]
It's okay.
1403
01:05:19,834 --> 01:05:21,125
I don't know.
1404
01:05:21,209 --> 01:05:24,375
It just feels like, yeah,
COVID shut it down again.
1405
01:05:24,459 --> 01:05:25,334
- Mm-hmm.
1406
01:05:25,417 --> 01:05:27,459
- It's that same feeling,
you know?
1407
01:05:27,542 --> 01:05:29,834
So...
- Yeah.
1408
01:05:29,918 --> 01:05:31,334
- But it is what it is, right?
1409
01:05:31,417 --> 01:05:34,334
I mean, what are we gonna do?
- It is what it is, yeah.
1410
01:05:34,417 --> 01:05:36,918
- It's been a really tough...
- Yeah.
1411
01:05:37,000 --> 01:05:39,125
- Tough, tough, tough week.
1412
01:05:39,209 --> 01:05:40,709
- Yeah.
1413
01:05:40,792 --> 01:05:42,542
- And it won't stop.
- I know.
1414
01:05:42,626 --> 01:05:45,334
It feels like it's, like--
well, it's like--
1415
01:05:45,417 --> 01:05:47,500
- It's like it's trying
to make a point.
1416
01:05:47,584 --> 01:05:49,918
- [laughs]
It's like, every time--
1417
01:05:50,000 --> 01:05:51,918
- But I haven't
gotten the point.
1418
01:05:52,000 --> 01:05:53,167
- [laughs]
1419
01:05:53,250 --> 01:05:54,959
It's like, here's something,
and here's something...
1420
01:05:55,042 --> 01:05:57,500
- Oh, my God.
- And here's something, yeah.
1421
01:05:57,584 --> 01:05:59,292
Yeah.
- [sighs]
1422
01:05:59,375 --> 01:06:01,584
- I know.
- Okay.
1423
01:06:01,667 --> 01:06:03,167
Okay.
- Love you.
1424
01:06:03,250 --> 01:06:05,417
- Love you, too.
1425
01:06:05,500 --> 01:06:07,209
- We will never forget
"Merry Wives."
1426
01:06:07,292 --> 01:06:09,709
- No, we won't!
[laughter]
1427
01:06:09,792 --> 01:06:12,334
[sighs]
We certainly will not.
1428
01:06:12,417 --> 01:06:14,709
- I guess I want
to know what happens
1429
01:06:14,792 --> 01:06:16,334
to people who did have tickets.
1430
01:06:16,417 --> 01:06:18,375
- They're getting rebooked.
- They'll just get rebooked?
1431
01:06:18,459 --> 01:06:20,876
- Yeah, and it's not
a usual policy,
1432
01:06:20,959 --> 01:06:24,209
but I think tonight...
- There will be an exception?
1433
01:06:24,292 --> 01:06:26,709
- For people waiting around,
they're getting a code.
1434
01:06:26,792 --> 01:06:27,792
- Okay.
1435
01:06:29,918 --> 01:06:31,125
I mean, I counted it back.
1436
01:06:31,209 --> 01:06:32,876
I actually was like,
1437
01:06:32,959 --> 01:06:35,000
"When is
the last time I've seen
1438
01:06:35,083 --> 01:06:36,834
a live theater show?"
1439
01:06:36,918 --> 01:06:39,834
So I went back, and it was,
like, March 11, 2020,
1440
01:06:39,918 --> 01:06:42,626
which was 482 days ago.
1441
01:06:44,459 --> 01:06:49,250
And as somebody
who has 15 binders...
1442
01:06:49,334 --> 01:06:51,876
[laughing]
Full of playbills, like,
1443
01:06:51,959 --> 01:06:54,042
who goes to see theater
multiple times a week,
1444
01:06:54,125 --> 01:06:55,500
it's not just something
that I do,
1445
01:06:55,584 --> 01:06:57,500
it's also something
I really enjoy.
1446
01:06:57,584 --> 01:07:01,250
So I was like, "Oh, my God, I'm
gonna get to see a play again."
1447
01:07:01,334 --> 01:07:03,042
And it just so happens to be,
you know,
1448
01:07:03,125 --> 01:07:05,709
a play that I've been
a part of, so...
1449
01:07:08,167 --> 01:07:09,751
But I got to wait
another night.
1450
01:07:09,834 --> 01:07:12,709
That's it.
That's how this is going.
1451
01:07:12,792 --> 01:07:14,709
all: Hi.
1452
01:07:14,792 --> 01:07:17,751
[indistinct chatter]
1453
01:07:21,334 --> 01:07:24,292
[birds chirping,
distant siren wailing]
1454
01:07:25,792 --> 01:07:28,459
- All right, Falstaff,
check one, two, two, two.
1455
01:07:28,542 --> 01:07:30,500
Hey, hey.
Check one, two, two, two.
1456
01:07:30,584 --> 01:07:32,125
- [over radio]
Falstaff is good.
1457
01:07:32,209 --> 01:07:35,292
- Madam Ford, Madam Ford,
Ford Madam, Madam Ford,
1458
01:07:35,375 --> 01:07:38,417
Check one, two, Madam Ford.
Hey, hey, check one, two.
1459
01:07:38,500 --> 01:07:41,584
Madam, Madam, Ford, Ford.
Check one, two, Madam Ford.
1460
01:07:41,667 --> 01:07:42,584
Hey, check one, two--
1461
01:07:42,667 --> 01:07:43,918
- [over radio]
Madam Ford is good.
1462
01:07:44,000 --> 01:07:45,125
- Sweet.
1463
01:07:47,042 --> 01:07:48,709
- Take two.
1464
01:07:48,792 --> 01:07:50,751
Take two.
1465
01:07:50,834 --> 01:07:53,083
- I was just about
to check the weather again.
1466
01:07:53,167 --> 01:07:54,626
- [laughs]
1467
01:07:54,709 --> 01:07:56,584
Yeah, they were saying they
managed to rebook everyone
1468
01:07:56,667 --> 01:07:57,876
from yesterday, so that's good.
1469
01:07:57,959 --> 01:08:00,042
- Oh.
- Wah.
1470
01:08:00,125 --> 01:08:02,125
- Ah...
1471
01:08:02,209 --> 01:08:06,792
[all vocalizing]
1472
01:08:06,876 --> 01:08:09,334
[vocalizing trails off]
- Shh.
1473
01:08:09,417 --> 01:08:10,500
- [clears throat]
1474
01:08:13,667 --> 01:08:15,626
- As we've been preparing
for this run,
1475
01:08:15,709 --> 01:08:17,751
we have not managed to do
the show from start to end
1476
01:08:17,834 --> 01:08:20,459
without stopping, so tonight...
[laughter]
1477
01:08:20,542 --> 01:08:22,417
You are going to see this show
from start to end
1478
01:08:22,500 --> 01:08:25,167
for the first time
along with the rest of us!
1479
01:08:25,250 --> 01:08:28,042
So welcome!
[cheers and applause]
1480
01:08:31,876 --> 01:08:34,792
[drums playing]
1481
01:08:34,876 --> 01:08:36,959
♪ ♪
1482
01:08:49,250 --> 01:08:50,167
- You two, I see you.
1483
01:08:50,250 --> 01:08:52,209
I see you.
You're not slick.
1484
01:08:52,292 --> 01:08:54,292
Go on.
Go on.
1485
01:08:56,500 --> 01:08:58,000
[indistinct chatter]
1486
01:08:58,083 --> 01:09:00,876
- Could you actually get
to, like, here?
1487
01:09:00,959 --> 01:09:01,918
Yeah.
Yes, that seam.
1488
01:09:02,000 --> 01:09:03,542
Perfect.
Nice tag.
1489
01:09:03,626 --> 01:09:04,542
Yeah?
- Yes.
1490
01:09:04,626 --> 01:09:05,626
- Sweet.
1491
01:09:05,709 --> 01:09:07,375
Thank you.
All right.
1492
01:09:07,459 --> 01:09:10,751
- The lift to get
"Merry Wives" on has been
1493
01:09:10,834 --> 01:09:11,792
so huge.
1494
01:09:11,876 --> 01:09:14,000
You know,
we had the torrential rain.
1495
01:09:14,083 --> 01:09:15,459
We had the killing heat.
1496
01:09:15,542 --> 01:09:19,167
[indistinct chatter]
1497
01:09:19,250 --> 01:09:21,167
The first preview, rained off.
1498
01:09:21,250 --> 01:09:23,125
Second preview,
we went up at quarter to 9:00.
1499
01:09:23,209 --> 01:09:24,292
Third preview,
I can't remember what time.
1500
01:09:24,375 --> 01:09:26,000
Fourth preview,
we went up at 10:00.
1501
01:09:26,083 --> 01:09:28,125
- Big with rich increase.
1502
01:09:28,209 --> 01:09:31,000
Bearing the wanton burden
of the crime,
1503
01:09:31,083 --> 01:09:33,083
like widowed wombs.
1504
01:09:33,167 --> 01:09:35,918
- At what point
does the show not go on?
1505
01:09:36,000 --> 01:09:38,334
You know,
at what point do you say,
1506
01:09:38,417 --> 01:09:41,250
we tried,
and we can't do it anymore?
1507
01:09:41,334 --> 01:09:42,959
And that point
hasn't arrived yet.
1508
01:09:45,292 --> 01:09:47,792
- Tonight's performance
at Shakespeare in the Park
1509
01:09:47,876 --> 01:09:49,417
has been canceled
1510
01:09:49,500 --> 01:09:52,542
because of a cast member
testing positive for COVID.
1511
01:09:52,626 --> 01:09:54,292
A spokesperson
for The Public Theater says
1512
01:09:54,375 --> 01:09:56,918
that the company learned
about that case on Wednesday.
1513
01:09:57,000 --> 01:09:59,375
They canceled tonight's show
and last night's show
1514
01:09:59,459 --> 01:10:01,334
out of an abundance
of caution.
1515
01:10:01,417 --> 01:10:02,417
The Public Theater does plan
1516
01:10:02,500 --> 01:10:04,918
to resume performances
tomorrow.
1517
01:10:05,000 --> 01:10:07,709
♪ ♪
1518
01:10:07,792 --> 01:10:10,000
- Tuesday, July 27th...
1519
01:10:10,083 --> 01:10:13,250
It's supposed
to be opening night.
1520
01:10:13,334 --> 01:10:15,667
[chuckles]
1521
01:10:15,751 --> 01:10:18,125
We had to put out
the press release
1522
01:10:18,209 --> 01:10:20,167
about the COVID case.
1523
01:10:20,250 --> 01:10:22,792
The performance that night and
the next day were canceled,
1524
01:10:22,876 --> 01:10:26,834
and then we had
to cancel a third performance.
1525
01:10:26,918 --> 01:10:29,626
It's just been odd.
It's just been odd.
1526
01:10:29,709 --> 01:10:32,459
Like, even today, it's like...
1527
01:10:32,542 --> 01:10:34,918
you know, it's supposed
to be opening night.
1528
01:10:35,000 --> 01:10:38,250
[chuckles]
Like...
1529
01:10:38,334 --> 01:10:41,667
you know,
I'm supposed to be...
1530
01:10:41,751 --> 01:10:45,876
feverishly finishing cards
and, you know...
1531
01:10:48,167 --> 01:10:50,876
Calling the bakery
to make sure
1532
01:10:50,959 --> 01:10:55,459
the, like, you know, dozen,
two dozen cupcakes
1533
01:10:55,542 --> 01:10:58,125
or whatever I ordered
for the crew, you know,
1534
01:10:58,209 --> 01:11:02,167
will be delivered on time
kind of thing, like...
1535
01:11:02,250 --> 01:11:04,876
It's just a different--
and now it's just Tuesday.
1536
01:11:04,959 --> 01:11:08,500
[chuckles]
So it's just kind of--
1537
01:11:08,584 --> 01:11:11,000
it's a weird buildup,
you know?
1538
01:11:11,083 --> 01:11:14,209
When you, like,
make theater, you know,
1539
01:11:14,292 --> 01:11:16,667
you just know that,
yeah, these are the--
1540
01:11:16,751 --> 01:11:17,876
this is the order, you know.
1541
01:11:17,959 --> 01:11:19,584
You have first rehearsal,
1542
01:11:19,667 --> 01:11:22,792
you go through the muckity muck
of, you know, rehearsal,
1543
01:11:22,876 --> 01:11:26,834
you forge through...
1544
01:11:26,918 --> 01:11:28,375
tech.
1545
01:11:28,459 --> 01:11:31,125
You know,
but then you go through tech--
1546
01:11:31,209 --> 01:11:32,834
even, like, dress rehearsal--
1547
01:11:32,918 --> 01:11:34,626
sometimes you have, like,
an invited dress rehearsal,
1548
01:11:34,709 --> 01:11:36,751
like, that builds the energy.
1549
01:11:38,834 --> 01:11:40,542
Like, yeah,
we've just had none of that.
1550
01:11:40,626 --> 01:11:43,042
[laughs] It's just been like...
1551
01:11:43,125 --> 01:11:45,209
harrowing, harrowing,
harrowing,
1552
01:11:45,292 --> 01:11:47,709
the whole way through.
1553
01:11:47,792 --> 01:11:49,500
Trying to bring theater back
1554
01:11:49,584 --> 01:11:51,542
after...
1555
01:11:51,626 --> 01:11:54,209
well, what we thought
was coming
1556
01:11:54,292 --> 01:11:56,500
out of the cloud of a pandemic
1557
01:11:56,584 --> 01:11:59,292
and then we got dealt
a curveball
1558
01:11:59,375 --> 01:12:01,500
with, you know...
1559
01:12:01,584 --> 01:12:05,042
COVID really just doing
the remix, you know?
1560
01:12:05,125 --> 01:12:06,375
[sighs]
1561
01:12:06,459 --> 01:12:09,334
[keyboard clacking]
1562
01:12:15,417 --> 01:12:17,375
- It's been a tough road back.
1563
01:12:19,334 --> 01:12:24,000
I think it's all part
of this COVID time.
1564
01:12:24,083 --> 01:12:26,584
You know,
what is the next act?
1565
01:12:28,250 --> 01:12:31,918
I mean, I've done this
for my whole life.
1566
01:12:32,000 --> 01:12:34,292
I've been at this theater
for over 30 years,
1567
01:12:34,375 --> 01:12:36,834
and this may be it.
1568
01:12:39,167 --> 01:12:41,167
And if it is...
1569
01:12:41,250 --> 01:12:43,375
I'm happy it's this one.
1570
01:12:43,459 --> 01:12:44,792
So...
1571
01:12:50,959 --> 01:12:52,542
I don't know.
1572
01:12:52,626 --> 01:12:54,542
A long road, a long...
1573
01:12:54,626 --> 01:12:57,209
It's been a long time, and...
1574
01:12:59,042 --> 01:13:01,292
I'm getting on there, so...
1575
01:13:09,167 --> 01:13:11,792
It's good to pass things on
as well
1576
01:13:11,876 --> 01:13:13,667
to people,
1577
01:13:13,751 --> 01:13:15,459
to the next group...
1578
01:13:16,792 --> 01:13:18,751
So that they can...
1579
01:13:20,751 --> 01:13:24,459
Have their own tour
of this place.
1580
01:13:33,959 --> 01:13:36,542
- Mm.
1581
01:13:36,626 --> 01:13:38,250
Mm.
1582
01:13:40,000 --> 01:13:42,584
Mm!
1583
01:13:48,751 --> 01:13:50,834
You know, more and more,
this process is just--
1584
01:13:50,918 --> 01:13:53,500
it's not about Shakespeare
or is just about Shakespeare--
1585
01:13:53,584 --> 01:13:56,667
it's not just about Black
people doing Shakespeare.
1586
01:13:56,751 --> 01:13:59,209
It's just
about the human spirit,
1587
01:13:59,292 --> 01:14:01,500
the will to keep going,
you know?
1588
01:14:01,584 --> 01:14:02,876
We got a lot of people out,
1589
01:14:02,959 --> 01:14:05,209
and we're still just finding
a way to be here.
1590
01:14:05,292 --> 01:14:07,709
We can't ever admit defeat.
1591
01:14:07,792 --> 01:14:10,792
That's how I'm feeling now,
as a group.
1592
01:14:10,876 --> 01:14:14,834
What shall I say more
than I've already inferred?
1593
01:14:14,918 --> 01:14:18,292
- We've done so many different
versions of this show,
1594
01:14:18,375 --> 01:14:19,959
I feel, over the course
of the different weeks.
1595
01:14:20,042 --> 01:14:21,667
It doesn't matter
if you're a cover
1596
01:14:21,751 --> 01:14:23,500
or if you were someone
who'd already been in the show
1597
01:14:23,584 --> 01:14:25,292
or someone who was in the crew.
1598
01:14:25,375 --> 01:14:26,375
Every single person--
1599
01:14:26,459 --> 01:14:29,250
Narda, Ben,
everyone had to rally for this.
1600
01:14:29,334 --> 01:14:32,292
Change is our constant,
you know?
1601
01:14:32,375 --> 01:14:34,167
Because at a certain point,
we're gonna say bye to Shola,
1602
01:14:34,250 --> 01:14:35,709
we're gonna say bye to Susan,
you know?
1603
01:14:35,792 --> 01:14:37,584
Change is gonna be
our constant.
1604
01:14:37,667 --> 01:14:39,083
And other folks are gonna have
to step in,
1605
01:14:39,167 --> 01:14:40,542
so, really, truly,
1606
01:14:40,626 --> 01:14:42,584
this thing is bigger
than any single one of us.
1607
01:14:42,667 --> 01:14:45,000
We knew that doing a show right
now would be an uphill battle.
1608
01:14:45,083 --> 01:14:46,000
We knew that.
1609
01:14:46,083 --> 01:14:47,167
[laughing] But, God almighty,
1610
01:14:47,250 --> 01:14:49,667
we didn't know
it would be like this.
1611
01:14:49,751 --> 01:14:50,876
We've made our plans,
1612
01:14:50,959 --> 01:14:52,959
and let's see
what the universe brings us.
1613
01:14:53,042 --> 01:14:55,834
[cheerful music]
1614
01:14:55,918 --> 01:14:57,667
♪ ♪
1615
01:14:57,751 --> 01:15:00,792
- Shakespeare is returning
to Central Park tonight
1616
01:15:00,876 --> 01:15:03,000
for the first time since
the beginning of the pandemic,
1617
01:15:03,083 --> 01:15:04,167
weather permitting, of course.
1618
01:15:04,250 --> 01:15:06,417
Chopper 2 flew
over the Delacorte Theater
1619
01:15:06,500 --> 01:15:08,667
during final preps
for the start of performances
1620
01:15:08,751 --> 01:15:10,751
for "Merry Wives."
1621
01:15:10,834 --> 01:15:12,751
- We're just in time.
1622
01:15:18,751 --> 01:15:21,417
- Perfect, thank you.
- Thank you very much.
1623
01:15:21,500 --> 01:15:23,417
[chuckling]
Happy opening.
1624
01:15:27,209 --> 01:15:28,667
I know I'm here
because I'm good.
1625
01:15:28,751 --> 01:15:30,375
And I know I'm here because
they want to work with me,
1626
01:15:30,459 --> 01:15:32,542
they want to see me grow.
1627
01:15:32,626 --> 01:15:36,417
I couldn't be more excited
looking forward
1628
01:15:36,500 --> 01:15:39,918
to what this moment
will bring me in the future.
1629
01:15:40,000 --> 01:15:47,000
♪ ♪
1630
01:15:52,125 --> 01:15:53,417
- I mean, it's live theater,
1631
01:15:53,500 --> 01:15:57,542
so although we've done
this show now a million times,
1632
01:15:57,626 --> 01:15:59,125
you know, the fact
that anything could happen
1633
01:15:59,209 --> 01:16:01,042
always comes into play.
1634
01:16:01,125 --> 01:16:03,125
But that's also why we do it,
'cause anything could happen.
1635
01:16:03,209 --> 01:16:05,709
It's that electricity.
1636
01:16:09,626 --> 01:16:12,751
Theater's such
a temporal thing.
1637
01:16:12,834 --> 01:16:15,459
Every night
it's just gonna be that night.
1638
01:16:15,542 --> 01:16:17,751
And at one point,
there won't be any more nights
1639
01:16:17,834 --> 01:16:19,792
of doing this
with those people there.
1640
01:16:22,626 --> 01:16:25,209
It's a practice
in being present.
1641
01:16:27,334 --> 01:16:30,334
[lively music]
1642
01:16:30,417 --> 01:16:32,000
♪ ♪
1643
01:16:32,083 --> 01:16:33,209
- Hi.
1644
01:16:33,292 --> 01:16:35,167
- You look amazing.
- Thank you.
1645
01:16:35,250 --> 01:16:36,667
- Happy opening.
- Yeah, you look so good.
1646
01:16:36,751 --> 01:16:38,167
- Thank you.
So do you guys.
1647
01:16:38,250 --> 01:16:40,083
- Thank you.
1648
01:16:40,167 --> 01:16:42,834
- Oh, my gosh, you look great.
- Thank you.
1649
01:16:42,918 --> 01:16:44,334
Thank you.
- Happy opening.
1650
01:16:44,417 --> 01:16:46,417
- Happy opening.
1651
01:16:48,918 --> 01:16:50,167
- Hey, friend.
- Hi.
1652
01:16:50,250 --> 01:16:51,792
- [chuckles]
1653
01:16:51,876 --> 01:16:54,459
- Lot of emotions.
Lot of, like...
1654
01:16:54,542 --> 01:16:56,709
- Handheld one, handheld one...
1655
01:16:56,792 --> 01:16:59,167
- Anxiety and doubts
about the business.
1656
01:16:59,250 --> 01:17:00,959
- Happy opening!
- We're here.
1657
01:17:01,042 --> 01:17:02,459
- We're here.
Don't say it yet.
1658
01:17:02,542 --> 01:17:04,459
We haven't finished
the show today yet, so...
1659
01:17:04,542 --> 01:17:06,000
- You're right.
We have to finish the show.
1660
01:17:06,083 --> 01:17:07,792
- Exactly.
We'll celebrate at 10:00--
1661
01:17:07,876 --> 01:17:09,584
10:00, 10:30.
1662
01:17:12,459 --> 01:17:14,542
- Then you reach
opening night,
1663
01:17:14,626 --> 01:17:17,083
and then you realize,
"Oh, okay,
1664
01:17:17,167 --> 01:17:19,500
"this is why we do it.
1665
01:17:19,584 --> 01:17:20,876
This is why we're here."
1666
01:17:23,918 --> 01:17:26,876
- [trilling lips]
1667
01:17:28,292 --> 01:17:30,209
- The coming in
and working until midnight
1668
01:17:30,292 --> 01:17:33,542
or being out in the rain
or, you know, 8:00 am
1669
01:17:33,626 --> 01:17:37,209
to how many hours
that's six days a week.
1670
01:17:37,292 --> 01:17:40,125
There has to be something that
keeps you coming back to it.
1671
01:17:40,209 --> 01:17:41,918
And I think
taking those moments
1672
01:17:42,000 --> 01:17:44,334
to acknowledge the beauty
and magic of what we create
1673
01:17:44,417 --> 01:17:45,751
is what keeps us here.
1674
01:17:49,918 --> 01:17:51,626
- Very proud of you guys.
- Aw.
1675
01:17:51,709 --> 01:17:54,751
[indistinct chatter]
1676
01:17:58,667 --> 01:18:01,083
- Just like that.
Enjoy the show.
1677
01:18:02,209 --> 01:18:03,959
Enjoy the show.
- Thank you.
1678
01:18:05,709 --> 01:18:08,042
- I am thrilled.
1679
01:18:08,125 --> 01:18:09,959
All the way from Texas
to see her.
1680
01:18:12,167 --> 01:18:16,250
This is my first time
traveling to New York
1681
01:18:16,334 --> 01:18:18,083
to see something.
1682
01:18:18,167 --> 01:18:20,042
And then with COVID, you know,
I didn't get to see her
1683
01:18:20,125 --> 01:18:22,292
for, like,
a year and a half, so...
1684
01:18:22,375 --> 01:18:25,834
She said,
"Mom, you're gonna like it.
1685
01:18:25,918 --> 01:18:28,083
You're gonna be ecstatic
about it."
1686
01:18:28,167 --> 01:18:30,250
And she said,
"You won't go to sleep."
1687
01:18:30,334 --> 01:18:31,542
[laughs]
1688
01:18:40,459 --> 01:18:42,792
- What I can say, I think,
with honesty
1689
01:18:42,876 --> 01:18:45,626
is that this year and a half
1690
01:18:45,709 --> 01:18:48,459
is a transition point for me,
1691
01:18:48,542 --> 01:18:51,792
where I am clearly recognizing
1692
01:18:51,876 --> 01:18:53,834
that my job right now
1693
01:18:53,918 --> 01:18:56,167
for this last phase
of my career
1694
01:18:56,250 --> 01:18:58,375
is about handing over power.
1695
01:19:00,209 --> 01:19:03,751
The institution requires it.
The field requires it.
1696
01:19:03,834 --> 01:19:05,834
And it's what I have to offer.
1697
01:19:07,709 --> 01:19:10,751
[applause]
- Oh, first lady's coming!
1698
01:19:10,834 --> 01:19:14,584
[indistinct chatter, cheers]
1699
01:19:14,667 --> 01:19:17,000
- Come on in, Pastor, darling.
1700
01:19:17,083 --> 01:19:20,042
[indistinct chatter]
1701
01:19:23,250 --> 01:19:24,709
- It's been a long time coming.
1702
01:19:24,792 --> 01:19:26,584
[cheers]
1703
01:19:26,667 --> 01:19:28,042
- Preach, preacher!
1704
01:19:28,125 --> 01:19:29,709
- This is what
we came here for...
1705
01:19:29,792 --> 01:19:30,876
[all humming assent]
- That's right.
1706
01:19:30,959 --> 01:19:33,375
- To be revitalized,
1707
01:19:33,459 --> 01:19:35,000
to be changed...
1708
01:19:35,083 --> 01:19:36,709
[hums of assent]
To be renewed...
1709
01:19:36,792 --> 01:19:39,500
[hums of assent]
To open our hearts,
1710
01:19:39,584 --> 01:19:41,959
that there be
a great coming together.
1711
01:19:42,042 --> 01:19:43,792
- Yes.
- That this opening
1712
01:19:43,876 --> 01:19:47,792
is not just of a show
but of our bodies,
1713
01:19:47,876 --> 01:19:52,000
of our spirits, of our souls,
of our minds, of our hearts,
1714
01:19:52,083 --> 01:19:54,500
that everything that we have
put into this, oh, God,
1715
01:19:54,584 --> 01:19:57,542
has been opened up
and given right back out.
1716
01:19:57,626 --> 01:20:00,542
And it'll be multiplied
over and over and over.
1717
01:20:00,626 --> 01:20:02,209
We thank You.
1718
01:20:02,292 --> 01:20:05,250
There is nothing wasted
but everything gained.
1719
01:20:05,334 --> 01:20:08,292
- Yes!
- All because we are here,
1720
01:20:08,375 --> 01:20:11,542
all because
we have been obedient,
1721
01:20:11,626 --> 01:20:15,959
all because we are alive,
1722
01:20:16,042 --> 01:20:18,083
because we are Black,
because we are strong...
1723
01:20:18,167 --> 01:20:20,375
[mutters of assent]
Because weather can't stop us.
1724
01:20:20,459 --> 01:20:22,542
[shouts of assent]
And COVID can't stop us.
1725
01:20:22,626 --> 01:20:24,626
So tonight...
1726
01:20:24,709 --> 01:20:27,209
we open this joint up...
1727
01:20:27,292 --> 01:20:32,167
for all to see, hear, love,
and believe.
1728
01:20:32,250 --> 01:20:34,751
"Merry Wives" on three.
[all shout]
1729
01:20:34,834 --> 01:20:37,751
all: One, two, three,
"Merry Wives!"
1730
01:20:37,834 --> 01:20:40,792
[cheers and applause]
1731
01:20:40,876 --> 01:20:43,709
[lively music]
1732
01:20:43,792 --> 01:20:45,584
- Welcome back
to the Delacorte.
1733
01:20:45,667 --> 01:20:48,250
Welcome back to live theater.
1734
01:20:48,334 --> 01:20:50,876
Welcome back
to Shakespeare in the Park!
1735
01:20:50,959 --> 01:20:53,083
[cheers and applause]
Ah.
1736
01:20:53,167 --> 01:20:54,167
Oh, my goodness.
1737
01:20:54,250 --> 01:20:55,542
It is so, so, so wonderful
1738
01:20:55,626 --> 01:20:57,918
to see you all
out here tonight.
1739
01:20:58,000 --> 01:21:00,250
We are going
through some difficult times,
1740
01:21:00,334 --> 01:21:01,959
but it is really,
really special
1741
01:21:02,042 --> 01:21:03,292
to be out here tonight.
1742
01:21:03,375 --> 01:21:04,709
We don't know
what tomorrow will bring,
1743
01:21:04,792 --> 01:21:06,709
but tonight we are here,
we are sharing space,
1744
01:21:06,792 --> 01:21:09,209
we have a community,
you are a blessing.
1745
01:21:09,292 --> 01:21:12,667
We are so, so, so ready
for you, so thank you.
1746
01:21:12,751 --> 01:21:14,250
[cheers and applause]
1747
01:21:14,334 --> 01:21:17,250
[percussion plays]
1748
01:21:17,334 --> 01:21:19,125
♪ ♪
1749
01:21:19,209 --> 01:21:22,292
- ♪ Come, let me say Ashe ♪
all: Ashe.
1750
01:21:22,375 --> 01:21:24,500
- ♪ Come, let me say Yevo ♪
all: Yevo.
1751
01:21:24,584 --> 01:21:27,083
-♪ Come, let me say Ame ♪
all: Ame.
1752
01:21:27,167 --> 01:21:30,000
- ♪ Come let me say Ago ♪
all: Ago.
1753
01:21:30,083 --> 01:21:31,709
- What's up, New York?
1754
01:21:31,792 --> 01:21:35,125
[cheers and applause]
1755
01:21:35,209 --> 01:21:37,626
- Where's the money
you owe me, Falstaff?
1756
01:21:37,709 --> 01:21:39,459
This shall be answered!
1757
01:21:39,542 --> 01:21:41,459
- Okay,
I'll answer it straight.
1758
01:21:41,542 --> 01:21:43,125
I don't have it.
1759
01:21:44,584 --> 01:21:46,167
This is now answered.
1760
01:21:48,167 --> 01:21:51,959
- Opening night has
a certain magic to it.
1761
01:21:52,042 --> 01:21:54,918
- Let's consult together
against this greasy scoundrel.
1762
01:21:55,000 --> 01:21:56,417
Come, come.
- Yes.
1763
01:21:56,500 --> 01:21:58,042
Let's get to the revenge part.
1764
01:21:58,125 --> 01:22:00,000
both: Aha!
1765
01:22:00,083 --> 01:22:01,751
- It has a certain beauty
to it.
1766
01:22:01,834 --> 01:22:03,959
- Oof.
Odious is the name.
1767
01:22:04,042 --> 01:22:05,834
- What name, sir?
- The horn, I say.
1768
01:22:05,918 --> 01:22:07,542
- Hey!
Hey, hey.
1769
01:22:09,250 --> 01:22:10,167
- The sum of its parts
1770
01:22:10,250 --> 01:22:11,959
is greater
than any individual part.
1771
01:22:12,042 --> 01:22:15,334
And this is such a beautiful
manifestation of that.
1772
01:22:15,417 --> 01:22:16,834
That's the gift.
1773
01:22:16,918 --> 01:22:20,167
[lively music]
1774
01:22:20,250 --> 01:22:22,876
- I left this place.
Thought I'd never come back.
1775
01:22:22,959 --> 01:22:25,792
And now I have a big picture
of my face with a crown on it.
1776
01:22:25,876 --> 01:22:27,792
Life's crazy.
1777
01:22:27,876 --> 01:22:29,167
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh... ♪
1778
01:22:29,250 --> 01:22:33,209
I've come out of this
taking ownership for who I am.
1779
01:22:33,292 --> 01:22:37,500
[uplifting music]
1780
01:22:37,584 --> 01:22:40,584
[both grunting]
1781
01:22:42,042 --> 01:22:44,417
- I desire you in friendship.
1782
01:22:44,500 --> 01:22:47,334
- Why did you send that letter?
- I just want love to win.
1783
01:22:49,792 --> 01:22:51,751
- Creating
an all-Black production
1784
01:22:51,834 --> 01:22:53,876
of a Shakespearean play,
1785
01:22:53,959 --> 01:22:55,751
none of that was new to me.
1786
01:22:55,834 --> 01:22:58,000
I only write for Black people.
1787
01:22:58,083 --> 01:22:59,292
[laughs]
1788
01:22:59,375 --> 01:23:02,250
- Now many have joined
you spirits above,
1789
01:23:02,334 --> 01:23:05,375
honored forever
in dignified love.
1790
01:23:07,042 --> 01:23:10,209
- It's really about
what theaters, what producers,
1791
01:23:10,292 --> 01:23:14,083
what tastemakers are doing
to uplift.
1792
01:23:14,167 --> 01:23:15,834
How are you going
to support people
1793
01:23:15,918 --> 01:23:18,042
who are creating work
like that?
1794
01:23:20,375 --> 01:23:22,375
This is the future.
1795
01:23:22,459 --> 01:23:25,000
[cheers and applause]
1796
01:23:25,083 --> 01:23:32,125
♪ ♪
1797
01:23:35,000 --> 01:23:37,959
[indistinct chatter]
1798
01:23:41,667 --> 01:23:44,250
- Happy opening!
- Thank you.
1799
01:23:44,334 --> 01:23:46,709
Aw.
- Aw.
1800
01:23:50,959 --> 01:23:53,375
- We did it, bro.
- Yes, we did it.
1801
01:23:53,459 --> 01:23:54,709
It's done.
We're open.
1802
01:23:54,792 --> 01:23:56,834
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
1803
01:23:59,459 --> 01:24:01,209
- I want to drink.
I want to dance.
1804
01:24:01,292 --> 01:24:02,209
- Hi!
1805
01:24:02,292 --> 01:24:04,584
- Happy opening.
- Happy opening.
1806
01:24:07,000 --> 01:24:09,626
- 16 months without this
has been weird.
1807
01:24:09,709 --> 01:24:12,000
But to have it back, this
is like a dream today, man.
1808
01:24:15,042 --> 01:24:17,042
- Whoo.
- I see you looking.
1809
01:24:17,125 --> 01:24:18,959
- Oh!
[laughter]
1810
01:24:19,042 --> 01:24:19,959
- Whoo.
1811
01:24:20,042 --> 01:24:27,000
♪ ♪
1812
01:25:24,042 --> 01:25:26,959
[bright tone]