Public Charge
Closing: April 12, 2026Public Charge - 2026 Off-Broadway History , Info & More
Joseph Papp Public Theater [Newman Theater]
425 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10003
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.
Public Charge - 2026 - Off-Broadway Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Public Charge
‘Public Charge’ offers a bracing defense of government bureaucrats (Off Broadway review)
8 / 10
A wistful nostalgia courses through Public Charge, a reverence for a recent past when government workers epitomized competence and know-how to produce real change. USAID has been dismantled; career diplomats sidelined or removed. What has been lost is not only lasting change but the idealism needed to reclaim the former status quo.
Public Charge
10 / 10
Public Charge is a true ensemble piece, cast and tech combined. If the Tony’s had Best Ensemble, this would be my vote. And one last thing, I will have to say, when the culminating video was run of Barack giving a press briefing talking about beginning to normalize relations with Cuba (thanks to Julissa’s work), hearing a POTUS speak in clear sentences, with care and conviction to making the world a better place for all, it brought tears of longing to my eyes.
Category
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Public Charge History
Other Productions of Public Charge
| 2026 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
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