Public Theater
Address:
425 Lafayette Street (between Astor Place & 4th St)
New York, NY 10003
Public Theater History
The Public Theater is a New York City arts organization. It was originally called the Shakespeare Workshop in 1954 when founded by Joseph Papp, with the intention of showcasing the works of up-and-coming playwrights and performers. The building holds five theater spaces (LuEsther, Martinson, Shiva, Newman, Anspacher) 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, one of New York City's most beloved summer traditions.
Shows at the Public Theater
| Dates | Production | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/31/2025 | - | 12/7/2025 | |
| 12/31/2025 | - | ||
| 5/12/2022 | - | 6/12/2022 | |
| 2/23/2022 | - | 3/27/2022 | |
| 10/8/2019 | - | 12/15/2019 | |
| 6/19/2018 | - | 8/5/2018 | |
| 3/20/2018 | - | 5/6/2018 | |
| 9/29/2015 | - | 11/29/2015 | |
| 4/2/2013 | - | 7/28/2013 | |
| 11/6/2012 | - | 12/2/2012 | |
| 3/14/2012 | - | 5/13/2012 | |
| 2/24/2012 | - | 3/18/2012 | |
| 11/29/2011 | - | 12/18/2011 | |
| 10/19/2010 | - | 11/21/2010 | |
| 2/6/2006 | - | 2/6/2006 | |
| 2/1/2004 | - | The Visit (2004) [Cancelled] |
|
| 8/4/1981 | - | 8/9/1981 | |
| - | |||
| - | |||
News
NYC Council and The Public Theater to Host Multilingual Poetry in the Park Event
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2026
The NYC Council and The Public Theater will host a public reading of Emma Lazarus' 'The New Colossus' in 12 languages at City Hall Park, with actor Liev Schreiber among the special guests.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2026
The NYC Council and The Public Theater will host a public reading of Emma Lazarus' 'The New Colossus' in 12 languages at City Hall Park, with actor Liev Schreiber among the special guests.
Oscar Isaac KING HAMLET Documentary Available to Rent on Letterboxd This July
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 24, 2026
King Hamlet, the documentary that follows Oscar Isaac during the 2017 production of Hamlet at The Public Theater, will be available to rent for a limited time from July 1 to July 31 as part of the 'Unreleased Gems' collection on Letterboxd Video Store.
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 24, 2026
King Hamlet, the documentary that follows Oscar Isaac during the 2017 production of Hamlet at The Public Theater, will be available to rent for a limited time from July 1 to July 31 as part of the 'Unreleased Gems' collection on Letterboxd Video Store.
Full Cast and Creative Team Set For THE REAL KYLE McCARREN at Joe's Pub and Edinburgh Fringe
by Stephi Wild - Jun 24, 2026
THE REAL KYLE McCARREN, produced by Avalon, announced its full cast and creative team for upcoming performances at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater and its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 24, 2026
THE REAL KYLE McCARREN, produced by Avalon, announced its full cast and creative team for upcoming performances at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater and its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Rose Ayling-Ellis and James Spence Will Lead PRIVATE JONES at Southwark Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Jun 24, 2026
Rose Ayling-Ellis and James Spence will lead the cast of PRIVATE JONES, a new WW1 musical weaving sign language, live captioning, and a Foley soundscape, at Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 24, 2026
Rose Ayling-Ellis and James Spence will lead the cast of PRIVATE JONES, a new WW1 musical weaving sign language, live captioning, and a Foley soundscape, at Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London.
Grace McLean to Star in PENELOPE at Edinburgh Fringe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2026
Penelope, presented by rigor + ruckus and starring Grace McLean, will run from August 5–30 at Underbelly Cowgate as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2026
Penelope, presented by rigor + ruckus and starring Grace McLean, will run from August 5–30 at Underbelly Cowgate as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Photos & Video: Get a First Look at Mobile Unit's AS YOU LIKE IT
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2026
You can now get a first look at photos and video of The Public Theater’s free Mobile Unit tour of As You Like It, choreographed by Kelsey Burns and directed by Emma Rosa Went.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2026
You can now get a first look at photos and video of The Public Theater’s free Mobile Unit tour of As You Like It, choreographed by Kelsey Burns and directed by Emma Rosa Went.
MY FAVORITE SOCIOPATH Will Come to the Contemporary American Theater Festival
by Stephi Wild - Jun 23, 2026
My Favorite Sociopath by Aurin Squire will make its world premiere at the Contemporary American Theater Festival. Learn more about the upcoming production here!
by Stephi Wild - Jun 23, 2026
My Favorite Sociopath by Aurin Squire will make its world premiere at the Contemporary American Theater Festival. Learn more about the upcoming production here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 23, 2026- Go Inside the Jimmy Awards and More
by - Jun 23, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 23, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Jun 23, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 23, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Video: 'Holy Saint Francis!' Scene From ROMEO & JULIET at Free Shakespeare in the Park
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 22, 2026
You can now get a first look at the 'Holy Saint Francis!' scene from The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo & Juliet, directed by Saheem Ali.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 22, 2026
You can now get a first look at the 'Holy Saint Francis!' scene from The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo & Juliet, directed by Saheem Ali.
Video: Watch the Balcony Scene From ROMEO & JULIET at Free Shakespeare in the Park
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 22, 2026
Performances are underway for The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo & Juliet. The cast includes Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens as Juliet and Daniel Bravo Hernández as Romeo. Watch the famous balcony scene here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 22, 2026
Performances are underway for The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo & Juliet. The cast includes Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens as Juliet and Daniel Bravo Hernández as Romeo. Watch the famous balcony scene here!
HOLE! to Return to Edinburgh Fringe in August
by Stephi Wild - Jun 22, 2026
HOLE!, the two-hander musical comedy from American Sing-Song's Jake Brasch and Nadja Leonhard-Hooper, will play Soho Theatre before returning to Edinburgh Fringe's Underbelly Cowbarn, following a sold-out 2025 run.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 22, 2026
HOLE!, the two-hander musical comedy from American Sing-Song's Jake Brasch and Nadja Leonhard-Hooper, will play Soho Theatre before returning to Edinburgh Fringe's Underbelly Cowbarn, following a sold-out 2025 run.
PRIVATE JONES Musical to Make European Premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant
by Stephi Wild - Jun 22, 2026
The European premiere of PRIVATE JONES, a new WW1 musical written and directed by Marshall Pailet, is set to run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, featuring a cast of hearing, hard-of-hearing, and deaf performers.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 22, 2026
The European premiere of PRIVATE JONES, a new WW1 musical written and directed by Marshall Pailet, is set to run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, featuring a cast of hearing, hard-of-hearing, and deaf performers.
Outdoor (and Free!) Theatre in NYC- Summer 2026
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 21, 2026
There's nothing like summer in the city! Summer 2026 in New York City will bring with it plenty of outdoor productions to take in this June, July, and August. Let BroadwayWorld be your guide!
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 21, 2026
There's nothing like summer in the city! Summer 2026 in New York City will bring with it plenty of outdoor productions to take in this June, July, and August. Let BroadwayWorld be your guide!
HAMILTON Announces #Ham4Ham Lottery In Louisville
by Marissa Faith Curley - Jun 19, 2026
Producer Jeffrey Seller and PNC Broadway in Louisville have announced a digital lottery for HAMILTON tickets will begin in conjunction with the show’s first performance in Louisville, KY at The Kentucky Center. A limited number of tickets will be available for every performance for $10 each.
by Marissa Faith Curley - Jun 19, 2026
Producer Jeffrey Seller and PNC Broadway in Louisville have announced a digital lottery for HAMILTON tickets will begin in conjunction with the show’s first performance in Louisville, KY at The Kentucky Center. A limited number of tickets will be available for every performance for $10 each.
BILL by Roger Q. Mason to Receive Developmental Reading with PlayPenn
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 18, 2026
Roger Q. Mason's new play BILL, a sequel to Lavender Men, will receive a developmental reading at Open Jar Studios in New York as part of PlayPenn's New Play Development Conference.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 18, 2026
Roger Q. Mason's new play BILL, a sequel to Lavender Men, will receive a developmental reading at Open Jar Studios in New York as part of PlayPenn's New Play Development Conference.
Review: SUFFS at The National Theatre
by Aidan O'Connor - Jun 18, 2026
The women’s suffrage movement in the United States spanned 72 years, finally concluding in 1920 when women gained the right to vote. Thousands of women lended their lives to the cause with a hope for the future, that subsequent generations would be inspired by the suffragists. Yet, their names were consistently left out of history books. Until Shaina Taub’s Suffs. Suffs at The National Theatre revives the legacy of luminaries like Alice Paul and Ida B. Wells through a musical journey that cements the suffragists’ rightful place in history.
by Aidan O'Connor - Jun 18, 2026
The women’s suffrage movement in the United States spanned 72 years, finally concluding in 1920 when women gained the right to vote. Thousands of women lended their lives to the cause with a hope for the future, that subsequent generations would be inspired by the suffragists. Yet, their names were consistently left out of history books. Until Shaina Taub’s Suffs. Suffs at The National Theatre revives the legacy of luminaries like Alice Paul and Ida B. Wells through a musical journey that cements the suffragists’ rightful place in history.
Winter Park Playhouse Receives National Stand for the Arts Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2026
Ovation TV and Spectrum revealed the recipients of the 2025-2026 Stand For The Arts Awards, which recognizes local arts, cultural and educational organizations and programs.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2026
Ovation TV and Spectrum revealed the recipients of the 2025-2026 Stand For The Arts Awards, which recognizes local arts, cultural and educational organizations and programs.
League of American Orchestras to Host Essentials of Orchestra Management at Juilliard
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2026
Thirty-six orchestra and arts professionals will participate in the League of American Orchestras' Essentials of Orchestra Management program, now in its 26th year, held at Juilliard's Lincoln Center campus.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2026
Thirty-six orchestra and arts professionals will participate in the League of American Orchestras' Essentials of Orchestra Management program, now in its 26th year, held at Juilliard's Lincoln Center campus.
THE MARY SHOW to Return at Joe's Pub with Broadway and SNL Alumni
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 17, 2026
Mary Neely, currently on Broadway in DEATH OF A SALESMAN, will bring THE MARY SHOW to Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, featuring comedians and performers from SNL, Hacks, and Wicked.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 17, 2026
Mary Neely, currently on Broadway in DEATH OF A SALESMAN, will bring THE MARY SHOW to Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, featuring comedians and performers from SNL, Hacks, and Wicked.
AMERICAN SUBLIME: Stories from Elsewhere in III Acts is Coming to The Delacorte Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 16, 2026
The Public Theater and Public Forum series curators Alexa Smith and Jeremy McCarter will present American Sublime: Stories from Elsewhere in III Acts in The Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 16, 2026
The Public Theater and Public Forum series curators Alexa Smith and Jeremy McCarter will present American Sublime: Stories from Elsewhere in III Acts in The Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
Public Theater Frequently Asked Questions
What show is currently in Public Theater?
Public Theater's current show is Goddess which began performances on 12/31/2025
What when was Public Theater built?
Public Theater was built in 1967.
What were the longest running shows at Public Theater?
Here Lies Love which ran from 04/02/2013 to 07/28/2013, Gatz which ran from 03/14/2012 to 05/13/2012, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf which ran from 10/22/2019 to 12/15/2019, and Eclipsed which ran from 10/14/2015 to 11/29/2015
Tickets From $59
Tickets From $95
Tickets From $80
Tickets From $139