Nia Vardalos, Corey Stoll, Rachel Weisz, John Leguizamo and Harvey Fierstein Set for Public's 2016-17 Season

Rachel Weisz, Corey Stoll, Nia Vardalos, John Leguizamo and Harvey Fierstein are just some of the big names coming to Public Theater for its 61st anniversary season.

Oscar-winner Weisz ("The Constant Gardener") and Stoll (Netflix's "House of Cards") will lead the first major New York revival of David Hare's "Plenty" from Oct. 4 through Nov. 6. The play follows British secret agent Susan Traherne (Weisz) over two decades, beginning with her work in the World War II. David Leveaux directs.

"Plenty" first premiered at The Public in 1982, in a production starring Kate Nelligan ("The Prince of Tides") and Kelsey Grammer (NBC's "Frasier"). It transferred to Broadway the following year and was adapted into a 1985 film starring Meryl Streep.

Cheryl Strayed's acclaimed book "Tiny Beautiful Things" comes to the stage in November, with "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" star Nia Vardalos as Strayed's alter-ego "Sugar." Direction comes from "Hamilton" chair Thomas Kail. "Tiny Beautiful Things" runs Nov. 15 through Dec. 18.

In February 2017, Talking Heads-frontman David Byrne will reunite with his "Here Lies Love" director Alex Timbers for "Saint Joan" -- a new rock musical based on Joan of Arc. The production begins previews on Valentine's Day, and closes March 19.

John Leguizamo will bring his new solo show to the Public. "Latin History for Morons" begins March 17, and has the Emmy-winner schooling his son in the forgotten history of Latinos in America. The show closes April 23.

After leading NBC's "Hairspray Live!", Harvey Fierstein will return to the stage in Martin Sherman's "Gently Down the Stream." The Tony winner plays a pianist living in London who falls for a young lawyer, despite his early reservations. The romance begins March 14, and runs through April 16.

Other highlights in the Public's 2016-2017 season? The final two installments of Richard Nelson's three-play cycle "The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family," a new play from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage ("Ruined") and a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" from acclaimed songwriter Shaina Taub.

For a complete list of The Public's 2016-2017 season, visit www.publictheater.org.

Three of Broadway's current best began at The Public -- the 2015 Tony-winning musical "Fun Home" and 2016 Tony nominees "Eclipsed" and "Hamilton."

The Public's membership program offers significantly discounted tickets to its season for an annual tax-deductible free of $65.

Tickets for all shows go on sale to later this year.

Contact Us