The Public Theater Cancels First Previews for THE VISITOR

Following delays last week, The Public Theater has just announced that it has canceled performances for The Visitor tonight, October 14, and tomorrow, October 15.

A statement reads: "Thank you so much for supporting The Public as we prepare for our long-awaited return with an exciting new season. Both tonight's and tomorrow's performances (October 14 and 15) of THE VISITOR have unfortunately been cancelled. We were not able to complete the dress rehearsal and final preparations to present the show to an audience, and we've made the decision to delay the first two performances. For anyone with tickets to affected performances, we have sent you an email with more info. We're looking forward to sharing THE VISITOR with you soon, and deeply apologize for any inconvenience."

Last week previews were delayed to accommodate for more time for the company to address questions about race, representation, and identity.

Over the past 18 months, conversations and commitments around equity and anti-racism have deepened across The Public and the theater industry. THE VISITOR brings up important questions about race, representation, and identity, and the company and creative team have taken time to listen to each other and discuss, to respond to these issues, and to continue to develop THE VISITOR with changes that reflect how our broader culture has grown. The new musical will now run through Sunday, November 28.

The complete cast of THE VISITOR features Jacqueline Antaramian (Mouna), Robert Ariza (Ensemble), Anthony Chan (Ensemble), Alysha Deslorieux (Zainab), Delius Doherty (Ensemble), C.K. Edwards (Ensemble), Will Erat (Ensemble), Brandon Espinoza (Ensemble), Sean Ewing (Swing), Crystal Joy (Swing), Marla Louissaint (Ensemble), Ahmad Maksoud (Ensemble), Sahar Milani (Swing), Dimitri Joseph Moïse (Ensemble), Takafumi Nikaido (Ensemble/Drummer), David Hyde Pierce (Walter), Paul Pontrelli (Ensemble), Ari'el Stachel (Tarek), and Katie Terza (Ensemble).

With heart, humor, and lush new songs, Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning team Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey and Kwame Kwei-Armah bring their soul-stirring new musical based on the acclaimed independent film, THE VISITOR by Thomas McCarthy, to The Public for its World Premiere. Widowed and living alone, Walter is a college professor whose life has lost a sense of purpose. When Tarek, a vivacious drummer, and Zainab, an iron-willed jewelry maker, enter his life in the most unexpected circumstances, Walter is swept up into their struggle to stay in an America that they have made their home, but seeks to cast them out. Tony winner Daniel Sullivan directs this unforgettable new musical about friends and lovers caught between two worlds.