Meryl Streep, Phylicia Rashad, and More Set for the Public Theater’s Annual Gala
(© David Gordon)
The Public Theater has announced plans for its upcoming annual gala, which will take place June 6 at the Delacorte Theater. Titled The United States of Shakespeare, the event will be directed by Jeremy McCarter and will include scenes from Shakespeare’s greatest works and the American poems, songs, and stories they inspired. Andi Bernstein and Ashley Leeds will serve as gala cochairs for this one-night-only special event that will honor Bank of America for 10 years of leadership and support of free Shakespeare in the Park.
The United States of Shakespeare will feature performances by some of the Public’s most celebrated actors and musicians, including F. Murray Abraham, Sarah Amengual, Lemon Andersen, Christine Baranski, Kate Burton, Michael Cerveris, Michael Friedman, Bill Irwin, Lisa Kron, Hamish Linklater, Suzan-Lori Parks, Steven Pasquale, Martha Plimpton, Lily Rabe, Phylicia Rashad, Jay O. Sanders, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Jimmy Smits, Meryl Streep, Jeanine Tesori, and John Douglas Thompson; and the Public’s Shakespeare Scholar in Residence, Jim Shapiro. Musical direction will be by Chris Fenwick. More casting will be announced at a later date.
Beginning with cocktails and dinner alfresco in Central Park, The United States of Shakespeare will culminate with an after-party hosted by the Public Theater Young Partners under the stars.
