Gail Merrifield News

The Board of Trustees of The Public Theater just announced that Arielle Tepper Madover has been elected as The Public's new Board Chair. Madover, who joined the board in 2009, has been an active member of the Executive Committee, serving as Board Vice-Chair for the last year and Chair of The Public's Commercial Projects Committee since 2011. She was Co-Chair of The Public's 2013 Gala and the 50thAnniversary Gala in 2012, achieving the highest grossing galas in Public Theater history. A Tony Award-winning producer, Madover will serve a three year term effective immediately.

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Patrick Willingham, and Chairman of the Board Warren Spector have announced the addition of seven new members to The Public's Board of Trustees. Candia Fisher, Anne Hathaway, Debby Landesman, Barbara Manocherian, and Audrey Wilf were appointed to the 40-person board in April for three-year terms, and Charlotte Relyea and Anne Clarke Wolff were appointed in June for three-year terms. A recent loss to the Board is the passing of long time Board member Nora Ephron who was honored for her service to the organization and the field at The Public's 2013 Gala this past June.

Kristoffer Diaz's Pulitzer Prize nominated play THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY makes its Sacramento debut at Capital Stage this summer. Slamming together thrilling spectacle, incredible characters, and geopolitical allegory, ELABORATE ENTRANCE is a uniquely invigorating theatrical experience. THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY runs from today, July 10 through August 11.

Kristoffer Diaz's Pulitzer Prize nominated play THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY makes its Sacramento debut at Capital Stage this summer. Slamming together thrilling spectacle, incredible characters, and geopolitical allegory, ELABORATE ENTRANCE is a uniquely invigorating theatrical experience. THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY runs from July 10 through August 11.

Dallas Theater Center continues its exciting and conversation-provoking 2012-2013 season with the regional premiere of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. This unique experience will transport audience members into the thrilling and aggressive world of professional wrestling, complete with a wrestling ring, while weaving a story of power and class in America. The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity runs at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre tonight, October 19 - Sunday, November 11.

Ted Sod, Education Dramaturg, interviewed Rupert Holmes to talk to him about his work on The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Dallas Theater Center continues its exciting and conversation-provoking 2012-2013 season with the regional premiere of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. This unique experience will transport audience members into the thrilling and aggressive world of professional wrestling, complete with a wrestling ring, while weaving a story of power and class in America. The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity runs at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre Friday, October 19 - Sunday, November 11.

Aurora Theatre Company opens its 21st season with the coveted Bay Area Premiere of Kristoffer Diaz's smart, hilarious power-slam of a play, THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY. Jon Tracy makes his main stage directing debut at Aurora with this sardonic critique of pop culture and political correctness. Featuring Rod Gnapp, Tony Sancho, Beethovan Oden, Dave Maier, and Nasser Khan, THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY plays tonight, August 24 through September 30 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Aurora Theatre Company opens its 21st season with the coveted Bay Area Premiere of Kristoffer Diaz's smart, hilarious power-slam of a play, THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY. Jon Tracy makes his main stage directing debut at Aurora with this sardonic critique of pop culture and political correctness. Featuring Rod Gnapp, Tony Sancho, Beethovan Oden, Dave Maier, and Nasser Khan, THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY plays August 24 through September 30 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announced today that the Ford Foundation has generously awarded The Public Theater a $2 million grant to support The Public's GOING PUBLIC capital campaign. The largest campaign gift to date after the City's substantial commitment of $28 million, the Ford Foundation will be recognized for this significant grant with the renovated Public Theater lobby being renamed the 'Ford Foundation Lobby.' The $40 million renovation of The Public's long-time home on Lafayette Street is expected to be completed by summer 2012 with a grand reopening in fall 2012.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director, Joey Parnes) is proud to announce that acclaimed playwright Kristoffer Diaz will be the first recipient of The Gail Merrifield Papp Fellowship. The Fellowship, announced at The Public Theater's Gala on Monday night which honored Gail Merrifield Papp for her lifelong service and dedication to The Public Theater, was created to support a playwright every season.

Dallas Theater Center is pleased to announce it is commissioning two new works from playwright Kristoffer Diaz in collaboration with The Public Theater.

The Public Theater began previews on Monday, June 6 for the 2011 Shakespeare in the Park summer season featuring MEASURE FOR MEASURE, directed by David Esbjornson, and ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, directed by Daniel Sullivan. The two shows will run in repertory with the same company of actors through Saturday, July 30 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Last night marked the official launch gala for the 2011 Shakespeare in the Park season and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the photo op!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announced today that the 2011 Summer Gala will honor Gail Merrifield Papp and Time Warner Inc. for their dedication and commitment to The Public Theater. The Gala will be held on Monday, June 20 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and will include dinner under the stars, a performance of All's Well That Ends Well, and a cast party immediately following the performance. The benefit event is being chaired by Public Theater Board Members Hilary Feshbach, Liev Schreiber, and Sam Waterston.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announced today that the 2011 Summer Gala will honor Gail Merrifield Papp and Time Warner Inc. for their dedication and commitment to The Public Theater. The Gala will be held on Monday, June 20 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and will include dinner under the stars, a performance of All's Well That Ends Well, and a cast party immediately following the performance. The benefit event is being chaired by Public Theater Board Members Hilary Feshbach, Liev Schreiber, and Sam Waterston.

THE LEAGUE OF OFF-BROADWAY THEATRES AND PRODUCERS today presented THE 22nd ANNUAL LUCILLE LORTEL AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT OFF-BROADWAY at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

A two-part documentary on The Public Theater will be aired on PBS' WNET station on October 21st and 28th