Public Theater to Dedicate 55th Season to Ellen Stewart

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) and Under The Radar Festival Producer Mark Russell announced today that the entirety of the 2010-2011 season at The Public Theater as well as the remaining performances in this year's acclaimed Under The Radar Festival will be dedicated in memory to La MaMa co-founder and dear friend of The Public Theater, Ellen Stewart.
 
"Ellen Stewart was a giant of the American theater and of the world theater.  Her vision, her taste, her passion, and her integrity set a shining example that all of us can aspire to," said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. "She had a profound impact on the lives of countless artists, and she left a mark on the city of New York that will never be erased.  We are proud to dedicate the entire season at The Public Theater to celebrate her memory."

"Ellen Stewart was the mother of all of us in downtown theater.  Her vision and influence extends around the globe and her impact on the worlds' theater is immense," said Under The Radar Festival Producer Mark Russell.  "She was my hero and I cannot imagine a world without her, but I know her spirit will live on in theaters around the world. I am humbled and honored to dedicate the rest of the Under the Radar Festival to Ellen Stewart's memory; there would be no Under the Radar without her showing us the way."

This year, The Public Theater joined forces with La MaMa to co-present the 2011 Under The Radar Festival with six of the nineteen Radar productions running at La MaMa.  To honor Ellen's memory, there will be a moment of contemplation at the opening of all Under The Radar shows beginning tonight and continuing through Monday's encore benefit of Being Harold Pinter.
 
The 2010-2011 55th Anniversary Season at The Public Theater continues February 1 with the world premiere production of COMPULSION written by Rinne Groff and directed by The Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis.  In March, Tony Kushner returns to The Public Theater with his newest play, THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, directed by Michael Greif, and running March 22-June 12, 2011.