The Public Theater

The Public Theater is a New York City arts organization founded as the Shakespeare Workshop in 1954 by Joseph Papp, with the intention of showcasing the works of up-and-coming playwrights and performers.[1] Led by JoAnne Akalaitis from 1991 to 1993 and by George C. Wolfe from 1993 to 2004, it is currently led by Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham. The venue opened in 1967, with the world-premiere production of the musical Hair as its first show.[2]

The Public Theater
Map
Address425 Lafayette Street
New York City
United States
Coordinates40°43′45″N 73°59′30″W
DesignationNew York City Landmark
TypeOff-Broadway
CapacityLuEsther: 160
Martinson: 199
Shiva: 99
Newman: 299
Anspacher: 275
Construction
Opened1967
ArchitectAlexander Saeltzer
Website
www.publictheater.org

The Public is headquartered at 425 Lafayette Street in the former Astor Library in Lower Manhattan. The building holds five theatre spaces and Joe's Pub, a cabaret-style venue used for new work, musical performances, spoken-word artists, and soloists. The Public also operates the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, where it presents Shakespeare in the Park. New York natives and visitors alike have been enjoying free Shakespeare in Central Park since performances began in 1954.[3]

Notable productions in recent years include: The Merchant of Venice, featuring Al Pacino as Shylock (2010); Here Lies Love (2013), by David Byrne; Fun Home, adapted from Alison Bechdel's illustrated memoir of the same name (2013); Eclipsed, by Danai Gurira and featuring Lupita Nyong'o (2015); and Hamilton (2015), by Lin-Manuel Miranda.


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