Theater fans are nothing if not committed. So when I woke up at 3am to try and secure tickets to The Public's Shakespeare in the Park performance of at Central Park West and 81st Street, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I was not prepared for, well, how un-easy it would be.

After a year hiatus due to renovations on the infamous Delacorte Theater , Shakespeare in the Park has returned to NYC in all of its free-ticketed star-studded glory through September 14. The combination of "free" and "star-studded" is thrilling and generous, but to what extent are you willing to go to in order to experience this selective engagement? For me, pretty far, clearly. Here's a logged account of my experience—and the fate of the people behind me.

3:45am Saturday, August 30

My journey began on the 1 tr

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