The Public Theater’s Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham announced the line-up today for The Public’s 2023-24 Season at their landmark Astor Place home on 425 Lafayette Street with an innovative and dynamic slate of new productions and ongoing mission-driven programming. An iconic New York theatrical institution producing revolutionary work downtown since 1967, The Public will premiere new musicals and plays by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, 15-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys, Tony Award winner Itamar Moses, Emerging Writers Group alumni Mary Kathryn Nagle and Ife Olujobi, Pulitzer Prize winner and Writer-in-Residence Suzan-Lori Parks, and Jonathan Larson Grant recipient Benjamin Velez. Public Theater Supporter Plus tickets for Fall 2023 shows will go on sale on Tuesday, June 13 and Public Theater Supporter tickets on Thursday, June 15. Full-price single tickets will be available on Tuesday, August 1.
“We are deeply proud of this season at The Public, a season of extraordinary artistic work that reflects our deepest values and passions,” said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. “For the second year in a row, we are producing a wonderful new play by a Native writer; we are introducing an extraordinary new playwright to our broad audience; we are tackling the thorny issues of America’s relationship to Palestine and Israel; we are continuing our lifelong support of The Public’s Writer-in-Residence’s works; we are presenting three brilliant plays by one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century, performed by a revered international company; and, of course, we have created an astonishing, ground-breaking musical by one of the most beloved and brilliant artists that New York has ever produced. The work we do matters; the tremendously diverse artists who work here embody our belief that art is at its strongest when it is at its most inclusive.”
In addition to its mainstage season downtown at Astor Place, The Public continues its year-round engagement through its vital, mission-driven programs. Focused on furthering The Public’s belief that art and culture belong to everyone, these programs and initiatives offer free and low-cost tickets, build community through theater, and develop the next generation of theater artists. This fall, Public Workskicks off the season with a new musical adaptation of Shakespeare at The Delacorte Theater. In 2024, the Mobile Unit will tour the city with free performances in the five boroughs, and Public Shakespeare Initiative’s Hunts Point Children’s Shakespeare Ensemble tackles a new Shakespeare play in their year-round work. The Public will also host its first ever cohort of Jose Solís’ BIPOC Critics Labalongside new cohorts of the Emerging Writers Group, Devised Theater Working Group, and Joe’s Pub Working Group.
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in October 2023, iconic music, comedy, and live performance venue Joe’s Pub at The Public continues tradition with a season of dynamic nightly performances. As part of its season, singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo is awarded the Joe’s Pub 2023-24 Vanguard Residency, a yearlong curatorial residency at Joe’s Pub celebrating her contributions to popular culture and her role in the Joe’s Pub family of artists. The Joe’s Pub New York Voices commissions for 2023-24 feature three works: Sarah Elizabeth Charles’ song cycle featuring music written to the poetry of Dr. Maya Angelou; Dan Fishback’s project Dan Fishback is Alive and Unwell and Living in His Apartment; and Omar Offendum’s Little Syria.
Additional Joe’s Pub performances will include Michael Olatuja (presented as part of Angelique Kidjo’s Vanguard Residency), the return of both Habibi Festival and the DANCE NOW Joe’s Pub Festival, and John Cameron Mitchell & Amber Martin: Cassette Roulette. More information about Joe’s Pub’s fall season can be found at publictheater.org.
Continuing The Public’s mission to make great theater accessible to all, The Public’s Joseph Papp Free Performance Initiative will return for all 2023-24 productions. Free tickets to a performance of every production will be available via a digital lottery, powered by The Public’s digital partner, TodayTix.
The Public Theater is committed to being a more just, more anti-racist, and more equitable organization. The Public’s leadership and staff-led cultural transformation work is guided by a plan that is built on impactful commitments and goals and the actions needed to achieve them. Learn more about The Public’s cultural transformation plan here.
Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is no longer required for access to The Public’s facility, restaurant, and theater spaces. In general, a face mask is strongly recommended but also not required. However, The Public may schedule one or two select performances when a face mask will be required.
The Library at The Public serves food and drink Tuesday through Sunday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. and closing at midnight. The Library is closed on Mondays. For more information, visit publictheater.org.
