As we continue to rebuild out of the pandemic, Public Works enters its second decade by revisiting the play that launched the program, William Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST. In The Public’s decade-long tradition of bringing together a diverse ensemble of both professional and community members from across New York, this Public Works production examines what it means to be isolated and how we find our way back to one another. With music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez and directed by Obie Award winner and Director of Public Works Laurie Woolery, this ambitious work of participatory theater explores the grief of being cut off from community, the desire for retribution, and the healing power of love.
Forced from their home, Prospero and her daughter Miranda have survived for 12 years among the ruins of an abandoned island. As Prospero grows closer to getting the justice she desires, she witnesses her daughter fall in love, listens to the wisdom of spirit ancestors, and discovers that sometimes forgiveness is the only way to break cycles and right the course for the next generation. Hilarious fools, magical spells, and ancestral spirits dance through this production as we all come together to celebrate what it means to be human.
Renee Elise Goldsberry, known for her Tony Award-winning role as Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton, also showcased her remarkable talent in Shakespearean theater, having starred in the 2005 Shakespeare in the Park revival of Two Gentlemen of Verona, for which she received a Drama League Award nomination. more...
Anthony Chatmon II, known for his Broadway roles in Hadestown and Be More Chill, brought his versatile talent to the stage in The Tempest, following his notable performances in national tours like Fiasco Theater’s Into the Woods and The Book of Mormon. more...
Jo Lampert, a Brooklyn-based performer known for her diverse roles on stage and screen, previously dazzled audiences with her portrayal of Joan of Arc in David Byrne’s rock-opera Joan of Arc: Into the Fire at The Public Theater, earning a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. more...
Joel Perez, known for his acclaimed performances in Fun Home on Broadway and Sweet Charity at the New Group, brought his versatile talents to the stage in The Tempest, adding to his impressive repertoire of theater work. more...
Theo Stockman, known for his Broadway roles in Green Day’s American Idiot and HAIR, brought his extensive stage and screen experience to the cast of The Tempest, showcasing his versatility as an actor. more...
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