Lauren Ambrose Returns to Shakespeare In the Park

Lauren Ambrose will return to the Delacorte this summer as Ophelia in the Public Theater's production of Hamlet. The fiery redhead was the leading lady in last year's Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare in the Park and will replace Crimes of the Heart's Lily Rabe, who had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. Playbill reports that Tony nominee Michael Stuhlbarg (whoM we caught up with at the Coversations in Tusculum opening night party a few months ago) will still be in the title role, but Sam Waterson, who starred as Hamlet in the last Shakespeare in the Park production of Hamlet in 1975, will play Polonius, replacing Tony award winner Richard Easton. Performances will be May 27-June 29 with an official opening set for June 17. Performances of Shakespeare in the Park are Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. Tickets are free and are available on the day of the performance (two per person) at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park beginning at 1 p.m. and at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street (near Astor Place), from 1 to 3 p.m.