THEATER

London’s National Theater began a high-stakes experiment in live HD broadcasting last week that, like the Metropolitan Opera’s wildly successful HD venture, appears to be both a critical and financial hit. The National’s debut telecast was Racine’s classical French play, Phèdre, starring the luminous Helen Mirren as a rapacious queen whose incestuous lust for her proud and gorgeous stepson, Hippolytus, proves to be both their undoing. Of course, the fact that Hippolytus was played by the hunkalicious Dominic Cooper (The History Boys, Mamma Mia!) only made Mirren’s obsession utterly understandable. In spite of one or two glitches, the live Broadcast—from the stage of the Lyttleton Theater to Stateside cinemas—the quality of the video was as impressive as the acting.

Country star Larry Gatlin has made several trips to New York recently to perform at the Metropolitan Room under the auspices of Jamie deRoy & Friends. Last week, however, Gatlin and his equally famous brothers, Steve and Rudy, along with Steve Smith on guitar and Marty Fischer on drums played a rare set together that raised the rafters in the heart of Gotham. At age 61, Gatlin is still incredibly handsome and his famous tenor is miraculously intact, despite three throat surgeries that threatened to silence him. They played their hits, of course, like “Broken Lady” and “All the Gold (in California),” which the crowd loved. But it was Gatlin’s quiet, introspective work on “I’ve Done Enough Dying Today” and “So Hard to Heal” that made me wish this former star of The Will Rogers Follies would record a whole album of country-flavored Broadway tunes. In the meantime, we have the brothers’ newest hit, “Johnny Cash is Dead and His House Burned Down,” a rollicking two-stepping toe-tapper no one can resist.

The hysterically funny Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words, which has set up shop at the Triad on Monday nights, came to the Gramercy Theater with a special Gay Pride Edition that was even funnier and more outrageous than usual. Stars Kristin Johnston, Jackie Hoffman, Rachel Dratch, Dayle Reyfel, Michael Urie, Frank DeCaro, Eugene Pack and B.D. Wong were all equally lethal reading the unbelievably self-centered, narcissistic, trashy autobiographies that have to be heard to be believed. If you haven’t seen Celebrity Autobiography yet, what are you waiting for? N

All’s Well That Ends Well plays October 1 at National Theater (NTLive.com). Celebrity Autobiography plays Mondays at 7:30pm at the Triad (158 W 72nd St, 212-868-4444).

Free Outdoor theatre

Quit being dramatic and leave it to the professionals! Enjoy free theater happening this summer all over the city.

July

The Comedy of Errors Central Park, 69th St (@ CPW). 212-501-4069, boomerangtheatre.org— Presented by Boomerang Theatre Company, two sets of estranged twins come face to face to face to face in the bustling port of Ephesus, Greece. Wives mistake their brothers-in-law for their husbands, masters confuse their servants and kitchen wenches go wild in a whirlwind of switcheroos and witty wordplay. Jul 11-12 and Jul 18-19 at 2pm. Free.

Hamlet Riverside Park, North Patio of Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument (@ 89th St), 212-870-3070, hudsonwarehouse.net— Join Hudson Warehouse for their production of this classic Shakespeare tragedy, which has Prince Hamlet exacting revenge on his uncle Claudius who murdered Hamlet’s father, then took the throne and married Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. Jul 9 at 6:30pm. Free.

Hamlet Old Stone House, 5th Ave (btwn Third/Fourth Sts, Brooklyn), 718-768-3195, theoldstonehouse.org— Piper Theatre Company presents the play, directed by John P. McEneny. Jul 9-11 at 8pm and Jul 26 at 2pm. Free.

Joan of Arc Ft. Tryon Park (@ 190th St), 212–252–5258, gorillarep.org— Relive the story of the fallen female saint who led the French army to victory and was ultimately burned at the stake. Leave your beach chairs and blankets at home, this performance will lead you around the park on foot for some intense fight scenes! Jul 9–Aug 2. 8pm; free.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Old Stone House, 5th Ave (btwn Third/Fourth Sts, Brooklyn), 718-768-3195, theoldstonehouse.org— Piper Theatre Company pr­­esents Tom Stoppard’s existential masterpiece. Directed by Thomas Hoagland. Jul 12, 19 and 26 at 8pm. Free.

Tally Ho! Various locations, 212-254-1109, theatrefornewyorkcity.net— Follow a young bank teller’s adventures as he goes head-to-head with big bankers. This rip-roaring musical, which plays throughout the five boroughs, will be written dynamically as events of state and the world unfold. Check website for locations and times. Free.

Twelfth Night Delacorte Theater, Central Park (@ 81st St), 212-539-8500, publictheater.org— Academy Award Nominee Anne Hathaway makes her Public Theater debut playing Viola in this beguiling comedy that follows the romantic adventures two identical twin both shipwrecked in the enchanted dukedom of Illyria. Directed by the Tony Award-winning director Daniel Sullivan. Tickets to Shakespeare in the Park distributed on day of performance as of 1pm at The Delacorte Theater. Runs through Jul 12. Free.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Alley Pond Park, 76th Ave (@ Springfield Blvd.), Queens, plazatheatrical.com—The “scrumdidilyumptious” musical of the world-famous candy man features the music of the classic film and is guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth! Jul 31 at 7pm; free.

August

The Bacchae Delacorte Theater, Central Park (@ 81st St), 212-539-8500, publictheater.org— JoAnne Akalaitis returns to The Public Theater to present Greek tragedy as it was always meant to be seen—in the open air of the city. This visionary interpretation, featuring a lush choral score by Philip Glass, re-imagines the classic story about what happens when a government attempts to outlaw desire. Aug 3 at 8pm. Tickets start being distributed at 1pm on day of performance. Free.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Riverside Park, North Patio of Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument (@ 89th St), 212-870-3070, hudsonwarehouse.net— Hudson Warehouse takes this classic Shakespeare comedy to the stage, telling the tale of the strange events that occur when mischievous forest fairies magically transform the romantic fate of two young couples. Aug 6 at 6:30pm. Free.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Various locations, 718-729-8567, hiptohop.org— Hip to Hop Theatre Company presents one of Shakespeare’s most hilarious and romantic comedies, full of magic, mishap, music and adventure. Check website for times and locations. Aug 11–16. Free.

Romeo and Juliet Various locations, 718-729-8567, hiptohop.org— Possibly one of the greatest love stories ever told, Hip-to-Hop Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s passionate tale of young lovers caught in a dangerous and threatening world. Check website for times and locations. Aug 18–23; free.