Sting to Take Part in THE LAST SHIP Concerts to Benefit the Public Theater; Runs 9/25-10/9

The Public Theater announced today that, for the first and only time, Sting will perform songs from his new album, The Last Ship, for 10 concerts to benefit The Public Theater in their intimate, 260-seat Anspacher Theater from September 25 - October 9. An evening of music and storytelling with one of the world's most prolific artists, these performances will offer unique insight into the creative process of both his new album, to be released September 24, and his forthcoming play of the same name, premiering in 2014. All proceeds benefit The Public Theater and are tax deductible.

"Sting is one of the great artists of our time, a brilliant songwriter who is also a model of activist commitment," said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. "The Last Ship is shaping up to be a masterpiece, both an elegy for and a celebration of the working class life of the Newcastle shipyards. The Public is honored to call Sting a friend and thrilled to be hosting these benefit concerts."

Sting added, "The Public Theater, a New York institution committed to supporting all of the city's distinct communities, was a natural fit to perform this material that is, at its core, about the importance of community."

In the spirit of The Public Theater's ongoing mission of accessibility, a limited number of free seats will be distributed the day of each performance via a lottery system. Entries will be taken between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. each performance day, with a drawing beginning at 6:00 p.m. (All entrants must be present to win.)

Sting also has a long tradition of hosting special events for members of his official fan club. In addition to these 10 performances, 100 Sting.com Fan Club members will receive free tickets, selected via lottery, to attend a very special concert in celebration of Sting's birthday on Wednesday, October 2 at The Public Theater. For details, please visit www.sting.com.

American Express Cardmembers can purchase advance tickets beginning on Wednesday, July 10 at 6:00 p.m. EST through Sunday, July 14 at 10:00 p.m. EST athttp://www.publictheater.org/content/view/296 or 212-967-7555.

An exclusive pre-sale for Sting.com Fan Club members will begin Saturday, July 13 at 12noon EST and conclude Sunday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m. EST. Sting.com Fan Club members must purchase tickets by phone at 212-967-7555.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Sunday, July 14 at 10:01 p.m. EST at http://www.publictheater.org/content/view/296 and beginning Monday, July 15 at 12noon EST by phone or at the box office.

Benefit ticket prices range from $250-$2,500, with tickets at the top tier to include VIP seating and a pre-show meet & greet with Sting. Tickets are tax deductible for US residents. All performances begin at 8:00 p.m.

This fall, Sting will release a new album of original material entitled The Last Ship. Drawing inspiration from the shipbuilding community of Wallsend in the North East of England where he was born and raised, Sting has crafted both an entire world and a close-knit community of original characters. In celebration of the album, these intimate benefit concerts at The Public Theater will reveal Sting's influences behind the album through storytelling and visual projections paying homage to the traditional roots of the North East of England, with music from pub-like folk tunes to a wall of sound from Sting's full band, many of whose members also hail from the North East.

Composer, singer, author, actor, activist - Sting was born in Newcastle, England before moving to London in 1977 to form The Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. The band released five albums, earned six Grammy awards, and in 2003 was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since 1985, Sting has released 13 solo albums. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of his solo career, 25 Years, the definitive box set collection and the double disc, The Best Of 25 Years were released. Sting 25, the free iPad APP, which was awarded the prestigious Cannes Lion for Best Design/Aesthetic at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, is also now available on iTunes and features exclusive all-star performances from his 60th birthday benefit concert, plus rare interviews, photos, music videos, and more. Sting has sold nearly 100 million albums from his combined work with the Police and as a solo artist and has earned an additional 10 Grammy awards, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and three Oscar nominations. Additional information available at www.sting.com.

Completed in October 2012, the revitalization of The Public Theater's downtown home at Astor Place physically manifests 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, The Library at The Public, 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. The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust provides leadership support for The Public Theater's year-round activities. www.publictheater.org