The Public Theater

Public Schedules 8-Week Celebration
To Rededicate Revitalized Astor Place

The Public Theater's $40 million revitalization of its downtown home at Astor Place, New York, will be unveiled Oct. 4 and celebrated through an eight-week series of events that mark a rededication to the theater's founding principles.

A physical expression of the Company's core mission of sparking dialogues, fostering artistic development and experimentation, and increasing public accessibility, the revitalization project opens up the landmark building to the street and community and transforms the lobby into a public piazza for artists, students, and audiences.

In addition to the rededication ceremony at 10 a.m. Oct. 4, the celebratory events include the following:

• An Open House Weekend Oct. 6–7;
• Introduction of the large-scale multimedia sculpture “Shakespeare Machine” by Ben Rubin, Oct. 10;
• Late night wine and food festival Oct. 11;
• Block Party and Open House Oct. 13;
• A presentation by designer Paula Scher, the “graphic steward” of The Public Theater since 1994, Oct. 21;
• Public Forum “Duet” conversations between artists, featuring Alec Baldwin and David Brooks on Oct. 1, Anna Deavere Smith and David Simon on Nov. 4, and Tony Kushner and Rachel Maddow on Dec. 2;
• Screenings of Public Theatre productions Passing Strange on Oct. 22, Much Ado About Nothing on Oct. 29, and Joe Papp in Five Acts on Nov. 12.

Many of the events are free, but most require reservations. For details and tickets, visit http://openpublic.publictheater.org/openpublicevents.html.

“The Public Theater is, and always has been, for the people. The revitalization of our downtown home will make the building more welcoming, vibrant, and accessible for all New Yorkers,” said Artistic Director Oskar Eustis in a statement.

September 14, 2012

If you have Shakespearean news to share, e-mail editorial@shakespeareances.com