Taylor Mac — the MacArthur-winning downtown legend behind A 24-Decade History of Popular Music — and composer Matt Ray bring songs from their maximalist queer rock opera Bark of Millions to the Delacorte's open-air stage, free, for three nights only as the Central Park season's finale. The full work honors queer figures across history in glam, genre-hopping style. If you missed its sold-out runs indoors, this is the rare zero-dollar way in.
What to expect
A concert-style staging under the night sky: a powerhouse band and rotating vocalists working through selections from the opera's sprawling songbook, delivered with Mac's signature costumed spectacle and communal, celebratory energy. Expect a devoted downtown-theater crowd, heavy demand for the free seats, and an amphitheater that turns rapturous by the finale.
Good to know
- All seats are free — check publictheater.org for curtain times and how tickets are distributed (lottery and standby lines are the Delacorte's standard)
- Only three performances close out the Delacorte's season — demand will outstrip seats
- Enter Central Park at W 81st St or E 79th St for the shortest walk to the theater
- Nearest trains: B/C to 81 St-Museum of Natural History or 6 to 77 St
- September nights in the amphitheater get chilly — bring a layer
- Content skews adult in theme; it's a celebration of queer history rather than a family pageant
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Common questions
How do I get free tickets?
Through The Public Theater's standard free-ticket channels for the Delacorte — a digital lottery plus in-person standby lines. Details and curtain times are posted at publictheater.org; enter early in the week for the best odds.
What is Bark of Millions?
A queer rock opera by Taylor Mac and Matt Ray — a marathon song cycle celebrating queer figures throughout history. This Delacorte engagement presents songs from the work in concert form rather than the full-length staging.
Is it outdoors?
Yes — the Delacorte is Central Park's open-air amphitheater, and performances run rain or shine except in severe weather.
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