Chip Zien, Ron Rifkin and More to Star in THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MAN at Public Theater

Chip Zien (Vasily Korinsky) recently appeared at The Public in Into the Woods. His Broadway credits include Into the Woods, The People in the Picture, The Country Girl, Les Miserables, Falsettos, Grand Hotel, The Boys From Syracuse, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, All Over Town, and The Suicide. His select Off-Broadway credits include In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, Falsettoland, Isn't It Romantic, A New Brain, Anonymous, An Imaginary Life, Splie, and Tuscaloosa's Calling Me. Zien's select film and television credits include the voice of the infamous Howard the Duck as well as The Siege; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead; United 93; Dorothy Parker and the Vicious Circle; Grace Quigley with Katherine Hepburn; "The Caroline Rhea Show"; "Almost Perfect"; "Now and Again"; "Deadline"; "Shell Game"; Love, Sidney"; and "Reggie."

The revitalization of The Public Theater's downtown home at Astor Place will physically manifest the Company's core mission of sparking new dialogues and increasing accessibility for artists and audiences by dramatically opening up its landmark building to the street and community, and transforming the lobby into a public piazza for artists, students, and audiences. Designed by Ennead Architects and constructed by Westerman Construction, the project encompasses enhancements to the building's interior and exterior while preserving the historic structure. Key elements of the design include infrastructure updates to the 158-year old building, as well as construction of new exterior entry stair and glass canopy; installation of ramps for improved accessibility; an expanded and refurbished lobby; the addition of a mezzanine level with a new lounge, designed by the Rockwell Group; expansion and remodeling of restroom facilities; and comprehensive exterior restoration, ensuring stability of the landmark façade.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, The Public Theater is the only theater in New York that produces Shakespeare and the classics, musicals, contemporary and experimental pieces in equal measure. The Public continues the work of its visionary founder, Joe Papp, by acting as an advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force, and leading and framing dialogue on some of the most important issues of our day. Creating theater for one of the largest and most diverse audience bases in New York City for nearly 60 years, today the Company engages audiences in a variety of venues-including its landmark downtown home at Astor Place, which houses five theaters and Joe's Pub; the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to its beloved, free Shakespeare in the Park; and the Mobile Unit, which tours Shakespearean productions for underserved audiences throughout New York City's five boroughs. The Public's wide range of programming includes free Shakespeare in the Park, the bedrock of the Company's dedication to making theater accessible to all, new and experimental stagings at The Public at Astor Place, and a range of artist and audience development initiatives including its Public Forum series, which brings together theater artists and professionals from a variety of disciplines for discussions that shed light on social issues explored in Public productions. The Public Theater is located on property owned by the City of New York and receives annual support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. www.publictheater.org

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski

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