The Public Theater Presents Free Movie Nights at Astor Place, 10/22, 29 & 11/12

The Public Theater's $40 million revitalization of its downtown home at Astor Place was unveiled October 4 and continues to be celebrated through a series of events designed to engage the entire New York community and marking a rededication to its founding principles-including free movie nights. More information on all rededication events may be found at www.publictheater.org

Movie Night: "Passing Strange"
Monday, Oct. 22, 7:00pm
The 2008 Public Theater on Broadway's production of Passing Strange, the semi- autobiographical story of a young black man who leaves behind his middle-class, church-ruled upbringing in mid-1970s Los Angeles to travel to Europe in search of his artistic and personal identity, was filmed by director Spike Lee and presented as part of PBS' "Great Performances" series. Free and open to the public.

Movie Night: "Much Ado About Nothing"
Monday, Oct. 29, 7:00pm
The Public Theater revisits its Tony-nominated 1972 production of Much Ado About Nothing starring Sam Waterston, which was originally broadcast by CBS for 20 million people that year. Free and open to the public.

Movie Night: "Joe Papp in Five Acts"
Monday, Nov. 12, 7:00pm
This documentary celebrates Public Theater founder Joe Papp's vision and accomplishments as one of American theater's most important figures; directed by Tracie Holder and Karen Thorsen. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with The Public's Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and others. Free and open to the public.

When: Monday, October 22 at 7:00pm ("Passing Strange"), Monday, October 29 at 7:00pm ("Much Ado About Nothing"), Monday, November 12 at 7:00pm ("Joe Papp in Five Acts")

Where: The Public Theater at Astor Place
425 Lafayette Street
New York City

Tickets: Free, though reservations are required. 212-967-7555 (daily, noon-8:00pm) / The Public Theater Box Office at 425 Lafayette Street (Sun & Mon 1:00pm-6:00pm, Tue-Sat 1:00pm-7:30pm)

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, The Public Theater is the only theater in New York that produces Shakespeare and the classics, musicals, contemporary and experimental pieces in equal measure. The Public continues the work of its visionary founder, Joe Papp, by acting as an advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force, and leading and framing dialogue on some of the most important issues of our day. Creating theater for one of the largest and most diverse audience bases in New York City for nearly 60 years, today The company engages audiences in a variety of venues-including its landmark downtown home at Astor Place, which houses five theaters and Joe's Pub; the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to its beloved, free Shakespeare in the Park; and the Mobile Unit, which tours Shakespearean productions for underserved audiences throughout New York City's five boroughs. The Public's wide range of programming includes free Shakespeare in the Park, the bedrock of The company's dedication to making theater accessible to all, new and experimental stagings at The Public at Astor Place, and a range of artist and audience development initiatives including its Public Forum series, which brings together theater artists and professionals from a variety of disciplines for discussions that shed light on social issues explored in Public productions. The Public Theater is located on property owned by the City of New York and receives annual support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.