Public Theater Gala to Honor Oskar and Laurie Eustis Along With Bernard and Anne Spitzer

The Public Theater has announced that the company's annual gala will take place June 9 at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The evening will include a special performance of the free Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest with Sam Waterston and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. An alfresco dinner in Central Park will be followed by a dessert reception.

The event will celebrate Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Laurie Eustis for their commitment to the mission of The Public Theater and a decade of service to the artistic community and city of New York. Oskar Eustis celebrates 10 years as artistic director of The Public Theater this year and Laurie Eustis has been working with artists and literary icons for more than a decade, most recently at the acclaimed literary publication Lapham’s Quarterly.

The Public will also honor Bernard Spitzer (1924-2014) and Anne Spitzer for their support. The Spitzer family played a vital role in the capital campaign for the revitalization of The Public’s landmark Astor Place building, and helped to ensure The Public can continue offering free tickets to world-class productions of Shakespeare in the Park.

Pat Fili-Krushel and Audrey Wilf will serve as gala co-chairs.

This summer's free Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest is directed by Michael Greif and is set to run May 27-June 5.