Photo Flash: Public Shakespeare Presents TO IMAGINE AN ANTONY Featuring Phylicia Rashad and John Douglas Thompson

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) and The Shakespeare Society have announced that they will join forces to form the new PUBLIC SHAKESPEARE INITIATIVE, under the leadership of long-time Shakespeare Society Artistic Director, Michael Sexton. The Public Theater and The Shakespeare Society have long shared the passionately-held belief that Shakespeare is for everyone. For 20 years, The Shakespeare Society has realized this conviction through events combining commentary on and performances from Shakespeare's works; educational programs for the children of New York City; and artist development programs with theater professionals. At The Public, their programs will find a new home, and the PUBLIC SHAKESPEARE INITIATIVE will produce and present events and programs as multidimensional as the community of Shakespeare-lovers it serves.

Last night, the Public Shakespeare Initiative hosted a special evening, Public Shakespeare Presents: To Imagine an Antony - Shakespeare's Infinite Fancy. Oxford scholar and prize-winning author of The Genius of Shakespeare Jonathan Bate lead the audience on a thrilling exploration of the destabilizing, transformational power of poetry, imagination, and love, joined by John Douglas Thompson and Phylicia Rashad reading the title roles in scenes from Antony and Cleopatra. View the photos below!

Photo Credit: Joseph Augstein