A cast of more than 100 — professional dancers and musicians alongside everyday New Yorkers from all five boroughs — builds a live album in real time under the open sky at the Delacorte. It's the Public's beloved Public Works pageant, part concert and part civic ritual, with Michael Thurber's music and Lisa Sanaye Dring's script closing out the Central Park season. If you chase one free ticket in the park all year, make it this one-weekend spectacle.
What to expect
An open-air amphitheater evening in Central Park: waves of community performers from every borough join the core cast as songs are captured live, blending choral music, dance and spoken storytelling against the Belvedere Castle backdrop. Expect a warm, all-ages crowd, picnic energy on the line beforehand, and an ovation-heavy finale.
Good to know
- Every seat is free — tickets go through The Public's free-ticket distribution (digital lottery and standby); check publictheater.org early in the week
- Enter Central Park at W 81st St or E 79th St for the shortest walk to the Delacorte
- Nearest trains: B/C to 81 St-Museum of Natural History or 6 to 77 St
- The amphitheater cools off fast after sunset — bring a layer
- Public Works' community-pageant format makes this one of the most kid-friendly shows the Delacorte stages
- Performances go on rain or shine except in severe weather
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Common questions
How do I get tickets to Public Record?
All tickets are free. The Public distributes them via its free-ticket lottery and in-person standby lines at the Delacorte — enter through publictheater.org, and arrive early for standby on sold-out nights.
What actually happens in the show?
A 100-plus-person company of professionals and community members from all five boroughs performs an original song cycle that's framed as recording a live album onstage — music, dance and New Yorkers' own stories, conceived by Emily Lim and
Is it good for kids?
Yes — Public Works pageants are built as all-ages community celebrations, and the outdoor amphitheater setting is forgiving for families. Check publictheater.org for the exact runtime.
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