FREEZE FRAME: Vanessa Redgrave, Liev Schreiber, and More at Revitalized Public Theater Unveiling
By: Walter McBride Oct. 04, 2012
Earlier today, The Public Theater celebrated the completion of the $40 million revitalization of its downtown home at Astor Place with a special rededication ceremony. The event featured the "throwing out of the first lines" of Shakespeare by city officials and artists with ties to The Public, followed by a special performance from the cast of Hair, which had its world premiere at The Public when it opened in 1967. A physical expression of the Company's core mission of sparking dialogues, fostering artistic development and experimentation and increasing public accessibility, the revitalization project opened up the landmark building to the street and community, and transformed the lobby into a public piazza for artists, students and audiences.
Check out a sneak peek of todays festivities below, and be sure to check back later for full photo coverage!
The unveiling and rededication of The Public Theater at Astor Place caps off a milestone year for The company that has included the 50th anniversary of its free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater and the expansion of its Mobile Unit, which brings Shakespeare to underserved audiences at prisons, homeless shelters, centers for the elderly and other community venues throughout the five boroughs.
The Public's 2012-2013 season at its Astor Place home will begin this fall, starting with the world premiere of Colman Domingo's Wild With Happy beginning on October 9; the new musical Fun Home by Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron on October 17; the new musical Giant by Sybille Pearson and Michael John LaChiusa on October 26; Richard Nelson's Sorry on October 30; and the world premiere of Nathan Englander's The Twenty-Seventh Man on November 7. More information on all rededication events and the downtown season may be found at www.publictheater.org.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Laurie Eustis, Liev Schreiber with son Alexander and Oskar Eustis
Vanessa Redgrave and Coleman Domingo
Liev Schreiber and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn
Lobby Atmosphere
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