Warren Spector News

The Acting Company has announced the complete cast for the reading of Mustapha Matura's new play Three Sisters After Chekhov. This is a part of the Reading Series in honor of The Acting Company's 50th anniversary. 

The Acting Company has announced casting for their reading of Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For, produced, by special arrangement with Steven Tabakin/Swee Pea LLC, as part of The Acting Company's annual Louanna O. Carlin & John MacDonald Reading Series. 

A memorial service for Margaret Whitton, longtime Public Theater actress and director, who was also a loyal and generous donor to the theater, will be held today, February 14 at 3:00 p.m. at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).

A memorial service for Margaret Whitton, longtime Public Theater actress and director, who was also a loyal and generous donor to the theater, will be held on Tuesday, February 14 at 3:00 p.m. at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).

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.

The Public Theater (Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced today that it has successfully completed its Going Public Capital Campaign by raising $42 million. The landmark institution has also received generous major gifts in support of its newly revitalized downtown home at Astor Place, resulting in several named spaces. Fundraising continues throughout the year for community-based Public Theater programming, including Shakespeare in the Park, Mobile Shakespeare Unit, Public Works, and the Writers' Initiative.

Last night, June 18, The Public Theater celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Delacorte Theater, home of Shakespeare in the Park, and honored Al Pacino for his body of work at The Public. The evening included a benefit reading of Romeo and Julie featuring Kevin Kline as Romeo and Meryl Streep as Juliet. On hand to celebrate were the likes of Julia Stiles, Chelsea Clinton, Steve Martin and many more who have both particiated and enjoyed the works at the Delacorte. BroadwayWorld was also on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

Freestyle Digital Media LLC (FDM) has acquired all rights North America (excluding US theatrical) for director Margaret Whitton's colorful romantic comedy A BIRD OF THE AIR from Tashtego Films LLC. Based on Joe Coomer's acclaimed novel The Loop, the film stars Jackson Hurst ("Drop Dead Diva") and Rachel Nichols ("Conan the Barbarian"), and is from an adaptation by screenwriter Roger Towne. Produced by Steven Tabakin and Margaret Whitton, and executive produced by Warren Spector, the film will debut on April 10, 2012. A BIRD OF THE AIR was theatrically released in the USA by Paladin in the fall of 2011.

The Public Theater announced today that Patrick Willingham, former President and Chief Operating Officer of Blue Man Productions, has been appointed the new Executive Director of The Public Theater, beginning November 28, 2011. After a thorough nationwide search, led by Chairman of the Board Warren Spector, Board Member Andi Bernstein, and Albert Hall and Associates, Willingham will join Artistic Director Oskar Eustis in running the award-winning Public Theater. The new partnership will focus on continuing the mission and extensive programming of The Public Theater while strengthening the organization for sustainability and future growth.

The Public Theater began previews on Tuesday, February 15 for TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role. Directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein, TIMON OF ATHENS runs February 15 through March 6 at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street). The official press opening was last night, Tuesday, March 1. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below.

Public Theater Chairman of the Board Warren Spector and Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson announced today that Mr. Hamingson has stepped down from his position at The Public Theater for personal reasons but will stay on as a consultant for two months to help with the transition. Joey Parnes, who was the Executive Producer at The Public Theater from 1994-1996 and has been the Executive Producer on The Public's recent Broadway productions, will be the interim Executive Director while a nationwide search is conducted for Mr. Hamingson's successor.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present Shakespeare in Southampton, a fundraiser for the Shakespeare Initiative hosted by Jesse L. Martin ('Law & Order,' Shakespeare in the Park 2010), and featuring a performance of All's Well That Ends Well, directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present Shakespeare in Southampton, a fundraiser for the Shakespeare Initiative hosted by Jesse L. Martin ('Law & Order,' Shakespeare in the Park 2010), and featuring a performance of All's Well That Ends Well, directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin Shakespeare in the Park performances on Wednesday, June 9 with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances on Saturday, June 12. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

The Public Theater held the opening night of Suzan-Lori Parks' new play, THE BOOK OF GRACE, on March 16th. THE BOOK OF GRACE weaves the story of three people bound together by love and longing, passion and ambition.

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson and Board Chairman Warren Spector officially launched the GOING PUBLIC Capital Campaign on Tuesday, March 9 at a ceremonial groundbreaking event attended by more than 150 people including, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, and Board Members Gail Papp, Liev Schreiber and Sam Waterston.

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson and Board Chairman Warren Spector officially launched the GOING PUBLIC Capital Campaign on Tuesday, March 9 at a ceremonial groundbreaking event attended by more than 150 people including, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, and Board Members Gail Papp, Liev Schreiber and Sam Waterston.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced that the 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season will present two Shakespeare plays in repertory giving audiences eight straight weeks of free Shakespeare. Under directors Daniel Sullivan and Michael Greif, the same company of actors will perform in both THE WINTER'S TALE and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE on rotating nights.

Hair won the 2009 Tony Award for 'Best Revival of a Musical' and the 'The Tribe' had a post Tony ceremony 'LOVE IN' at the Tavern on the Green. BroadwayWorld was there to rub elbows and 'let the sun shine in' with the cast and crew of the big Broadway hit!