Tickets are now on sale for The Public Theater’s 2014-15 season. The lineup includes new works from Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pulitzer winner Young Jean Lee and Michael Friedman.
Miranda will present the world premiere of Hamilton, in which he tells the story of the life, death and rhymes of a scrappy young immigrant who forever changes America: Alexander Hamilton. Thomas Kail directs the heart-filled new musical that combines hip-hop and a classic Broadway sound. Hamilton will run from January 20, 2015 through February 22 at the Newman Theater and officially open on February 17.
Straight White Men, written and directed by Lee, will receive its New York Premiere from November 7 through December 7, and officially open on November 17, at the Martinson Theater. With a cast featuring Austin Pendleton, Scott Shepherd, Pete Simpson and James Stanley, the play explores the value of being a straight white man when identity is the cornerstone of ones worth and privilege is increasingly problematic.
The world premiere of Michael Friedman and Daniel Aukin’s musical The Fortress of Solitude will run from September 30 through November 2 at the Newman Theater. Opening night is set for October 22. Conceived and directed by Daniel Aukin and based on the Jonathan Lethem novel, the tuner tells the coming-of-age story of two superhero-obsessed teenagers who believe that maybe, just maybe, they could fly.
Rock Bottom, a new show created by Bridget Everett, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz and Matt Ray, will play Joe’s Pub from September 9 through October 11. Opening night is set for September 17. The production follows Everett as she barrels through life, leaving behind her chardonnay-induced stupor for a path toward redemption. The show was originally commissioned as part of The Joe’s Pub 2013 New York Voices series.
The Anspacher Theater will host the world premiere of Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks from October 14 through November 16. Jo Bonney directs the drama comprised of three plays presented in a single performance, which follow a slave who must decide whether to join his master on the Confederate battlefield in exchange for a promise of freedom. The series is presented in association with American Repertory Theater and will officially open on October 28.
The Total Bent will begin on March 3, 2015 at the Anspacher Theater and officially open on March 19. Passing Strange creators Stew and Heidi Rodewald reunite to present the world premiere of their new musical to the Public stage. Directed by Joanna Settle, the tuner explores the passions that divide a gospel star and his songwriting son as they make their music and make their choice between salvation and selling out. The Total Bent will run through April 5.
Finally, spoken word artist and Tony winner Lemon Anderson’s ToasT will return to the Public after previously being presented at The Public’s Under the Radar Festival. Directed by Elise Thoron, the play weaves characters from black oral narratives into a story about men trying to live free in a system—and a world—designed to keep them chained. ToasT will run from April 2, 2015 through April 19 at the Martinson Theater.