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Public Charge Off-Broadway

Public Charge

Closing: April 12, 2026

Public Charge - 2026 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Joseph Papp Public Theater [Newman Theater]
425 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10003
Run Type Limited Run
Market Off-Broadway
Previews March 12, 2026
In 1982, seven-year-old Julissa immigrates to the U.S from the Dominican Republic. In 2009, she leaves her successful practice at a Wall Street law firm to supervise Caribbean and Central American Affairs for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. PUBLIC CHARGE chronicles the challenging education of a twenty-first century American diplomat as she works with scores of other dedicated public servants to deploy humanitarian aid to an earthquake-ravaged Haiti, navigate the roiling politics of immigration, confront the reality of international espionage, and free a wrongly imprisoned American from a Cuban prison. This bracing world premiere by former United States Ambassador Julissa Reynoso and award-winning playwright Michael J. Chepiga is, at its core, about a group of Americans who believe, sometimes against all appearances to the contrary, that their government might actually be a force for good upon the frighteningly chaotic world stage. 

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Public Charge

Off-Broadway Review: PUBLIC CHARGE (The Public)

From: Stage and Cinema By: Gregory Fletcher Date: 2026-03-26

7 / 10

Public Charge is clearly a well-intentioned piece, one that honors both its subject and the ideals she represents. While the production’s cool, methodical staging keeps the audience at arm’s length, the story it tells—of an immigrant who rises to shape global policy—remains a compelling and distinctly American narrative, even when the drama itself struggles to fully ignite. The final note lands with a bittersweet irony, as optimism about leadership collides with the audience’s awareness of how history ultimately unfolded.

Public Charge: Mixed Grades Translating Textbook History To The Stage

From: New York Stage Review By: Roma Torre Date: 2026-03-25

0 / 10

Simply put, Public Charge is not very good theater, but as a docudrama, it’s an important work that deserves to be seen. The story is true as told through the eyes of former diplomat and co-writer Julissa Reynoso who created the play with Michael J. Chepiga. In episodic fashion, it takes us through Reynoso’s (Zabryna Guevara) experiences from 1981 as a young girl in the Dominican Republic straight to her career in government where she rises to become US Ambassador to Uruguay in 2011.

Photos: PUBLIC CHARGE Opens At The Public Theater With Hillary Clinton And Dr. Jill Biden In Attendance
by A.A. Cristi - March 26, 2026


The Public Theater has opened the world premiere of Public Charge, co-written by former U.S. Ambassador Julissa Reynoso and Michael J. Chepiga. Opening night attendees included Clinton, Dr. Jill Biden, and a range of political and theater figures. See photos of the event.

Review Roundup: PUBLIC CHARGE World Premiere Opens at The Public Theater
by A.A. Cristi - March 25, 2026


See what the critics are saying about The Public Theater’s world premiere play Public Charge, a new play based on true events written by former United States Ambassador Julissa Reynoso and award-winning playwright Michael J. Chepiga and directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes.

Photos: PUBLIC CHARGE Celebrates Opening Night at the Public Theater
by Jennifer Broski - March 26, 2026


he Public Theater celebrated the world premiere of Public Charge, a new play based on true events written by former United States Ambassador Julissa Reynoso and award-winning playwright Michael J. Chepiga and directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes. Check out photos from inside the big night here.

Photos: World Premiere of PUBLIC CHARGE at The Public
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 20, 2026


You can now get a first look at production photos for The Public Theater’s world premiere play Public Charge, a new play based on true events written by former United States Ambassador Julissa Reynoso.

PUBLIC CHARGE World Premiere Extends at The Public Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 4, 2026


The Public Theater will present a one-week extension for the world premiere of  Public Charge, a bracing new play based on true events written by former United States Ambassador Julissa Reynos.

Photos: The Cast of PUBLIC CHARGE in Rehearsals at The Public Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 20, 2026


The Public Theater will present the world premiere play Public Charge, a bracing new play based on true events written by former United States Ambassador Julissa Reynoso and award-winning playwright Michael J. Chepiga. See rehearsal photos!

Marinda Anderson, Dan Domingues and More to Star in PUBLIC CHARGE at The Public
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 15, 2026


The Public Theater has revealed the complete cast for the world premiere of Public Charge, a bracing new play based on true events written by former United States Ambassador Julissa Reynoso and award-winning playwright Michael J. Chepiga.


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