The Public Theater

Performing arts theater · NoHo

The Public Theater

Performing arts theater · NoHo

4

425 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003

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Highlights

The Public Theater is a beloved NYC institution offering innovative Off-Broadway shows, alongside great food and drinks at The Library for a perfect night out.  

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425 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003 Get directions

publictheater.org
@publictheaterny

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425 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003 Get directions

+1 212 539 8500
publictheater.org
@publictheaterny

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Last updated

Dec 7, 2024

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@onthegrid

"The Public Theater is a much-loved, nonprofit performance theater known for developing, producing and importing innovative work (and also for its iconic Paula Scher-designed identity and branding). Whether touting an irreverent yet wickedly smart show at the smaller bar-slash-performance stage Joe’s Pub, or filling their proper theaters nightly for showings of world-class soon-to-hit Broadway productions (read: “Hamilton” originated here), or masterminding Shakespeare in the Park every summer, there’s a reason the Public has been a staple of the NYC arts and culture scene since the 1950s. Bonus: The building is also home to The Library at the Public, a fine dining restaurant and bar ideal for pre- and post-show dinner and drinks." - Carbone Smolan Agency

On the Grid : Public Theater
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@onthegrid

"The Public Theater is a much-loved, non-profit Off-Broadway theater known for developing, producing and importing innovative work (and also for its iconic Paula Scher-designed identity and branding). Whether touting an irreverent yet wickedly smart show at the smaller bar-slash-performance stage Joe’s Pub, or filling their proper theaters nightly for showings of world-class soon-to-hit Broadway productions (read: “Hamilton” originated here), or masterminding Shakespeare in the Park every summer, there’s a reason the Public has been a staple of the NYC arts and culture scene since the 1950s. Bonus: The building is also home to The Library at the Public, a fine dining restaurant and bar ideal for pre- and post-show dinner and drinks." - Carbone Smolan Agency

On the Grid : The Public Theater
test
@onthegrid

"The Public Theater, Noho by Carbone Smolan Agency. The Public Theater is a much-loved, non-profit Off-Broadway theater known for developing, producing and importing innovative work (and also for its iconic Paula Scher-designed identity and branding). Whether touting an irreverent yet wickedly smart show at the smaller bar-slash-performance stage Joe’s Pub, or filling their proper theaters nightly for showings of world-class soon-to-hit Broadway productions (read: “Hamilton” originated here), or masterminding Shakespeare in the Park every summer, there’s a reason the Public has been a staple of the NYC arts and culture scene since the 1950s. Bonus: The building is also home to The Library at the Public, a fine dining restaurant and bar ideal for pre- and post-show dinner and drinks."

New York City
test
@onthegrid

"The Public Theater, Noho by Carbone Smolan Agency. The Public Theater is a much-loved, non-profit Off-Broadway theater known for developing, producing and importing innovative work (and also for its iconic Paula Scher-designed identity and branding). Whether touting an irreverent yet wickedly smart show at the smaller bar-slash-performance stage Joe’s Pub, or filling their proper theaters nightly for showings of world-class soon-to-hit Broadway productions (read: “Hamilton” originated here), or masterminding Shakespeare in the Park every summer, there’s a reason the Public has been a staple of the NYC arts and culture scene since the 1950s. Bonus: The building is also home to The Library at the Public, a fine dining restaurant and bar ideal for pre- and post-show dinner and drinks."

New York City
test

Natalia Zamparini

Google
Absolutely gorgeous venue for a live intimate concert. Be mindful when picking tickets that you do not sit behind a pole. I thought I did really good at choosing a seat without that obstruction and when we arrived one seat had limited visibility

Martina At Travelista

Google
We saw a comedy show at Joe’s Pub (part of The Public Theater) and it was amazing. Intimate setting, good seating (it wasn’t hard to sit for a bit over an hour), the food was really yummy, albeit a tad pricey—captive audience is the keyword there ;). We got the tickets day-of via the waitlist on their website and got a great view of the show.

Woo Young Kim

Google
Had a pretty good dining experience with a Jazz performance. I like the setup.

Miki Noam

Google
wonderful venue with great selection of performances. good food and drinks, though pricey

Daniel Harrison

Google
It's an institution and they frequently choose interesting new shows to put on here. Not everything hits, but that's the cost for having interesting, unusual options. Definitely check out the calendar and try to go see a show or two.

Carolyn B.

Google
Joseph Papp's generous spirit lives on in this humble and lovable theater. Great productions in an intimate setting. My show was called "The Ally," and the cast was superb.

Darlene jackson

Google
11/22. Went to see Rasin in The Sun, great performance. First time at the Pyblic theater, you can see it from the subway Aster Place, 6 train. There are several theaters. I had difficulty with the electrinc ticket and was able to will call.

Mark LoGiurato

Google
A great Theatre to see live performances. Ambience and acoustics are very good. Staff is courteous and helpful. The facilities are clean and well kept. Food and beverages are available as well. Worth seeing live theatre in this venue.

Natalia Zamparini

Google
Absolutely gorgeous venue for a live intimate concert. Be mindful when picking tickets that you do not sit behind a pole. I thought I did really good at choosing a seat without that obstruction and when we arrived one seat had limited visibility

Martina At Travelista

Google
We saw a comedy show at Joe’s Pub (part of The Public Theater) and it was amazing. Intimate setting, good seating (it wasn’t hard to sit for a bit over an hour), the food was really yummy, albeit a tad pricey—captive audience is the keyword there ;). We got the tickets day-of via the waitlist on their website and got a great view of the show.

Woo Young Kim

Google
Had a pretty good dining experience with a Jazz performance. I like the setup.

Miki Noam

Google
wonderful venue with great selection of performances. good food and drinks, though pricey

Daniel Harrison

Google
It's an institution and they frequently choose interesting new shows to put on here. Not everything hits, but that's the cost for having interesting, unusual options. Definitely check out the calendar and try to go see a show or two.

Carolyn B.

Google
Joseph Papp's generous spirit lives on in this humble and lovable theater. Great productions in an intimate setting. My show was called "The Ally," and the cast was superb.

Darlene jackson

Google
11/22. Went to see Rasin in The Sun, great performance. First time at the Pyblic theater, you can see it from the subway Aster Place, 6 train. There are several theaters. I had difficulty with the electrinc ticket and was able to will call.

Mark LoGiurato

Google
A great Theatre to see live performances. Ambience and acoustics are very good. Staff is courteous and helpful. The facilities are clean and well kept. Food and beverages are available as well. Worth seeing live theatre in this venue.

Imani R.

Yelp
I watched Gatz here inside the Newman Theater. It was a very long play, but I was grateful for spacious seating. I had my backpack at my feet, and I didn't feel squished. The staff were also very pleasant!

Frank A.

Yelp
The Public Theater is in the former Astor Library on Lafayette Street. It also stages Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park. Many amazing theatrical productions debuted at The Public before heading to Broadway including Hair and A Chorus Line. I first saw Hamilton and Here Lies Love at The Public. One of its current shows is Hells Kitchen by Alicia Keyes and it is another great show.

Megan C.

Yelp
Amazing and historic theatre in an easily accessible neighborhood. Many transfers to Broadway are in their final workshop iteration at the Public, which makes it exciting to see a show...no matter what you're seeing. Ive only attended during COVID times so I haven't been able to fully experience the Pub, etc. I attended The Visitor in their Newman Theatre space. Though the show was a disappointment, the venue itself is gorgeous and leaves room for experimentation. Very comfortable from an audience perspective and the house staff here is excellent. I am looking forward to getting to Shakespeare in the Park this summer and more inventive programming all season long.

d e.

Yelp
The header next to two stars reads "could've been better," well, the evening I spent at Joe's Pub could have been a LOT better. It is deafeningly noisy, they appear to have no idea how big the venue is and how little they need to mike their performers. I can never go without high quality earplugs to block out the blasting. And the food, which is mandatory, is really mediocre. I recommend ordering the minimum you can order. I feel sorry for the friendly attentive staff who rely on this, but Joe's Pub would be better paying people on a salary basis and charging more for tickets, then trying to eke out money from the unreliable food and drink orders. I have found in a number of situations, that the "Public" theater is far less public-minded than the name would suggest. And on the first floor, please turn down the volume of the hand dryer in the ladies room so we don't go deaf before we go deaf at Joe's Pub.

FRank V.

Yelp
While I LOVE attending the events provided at the Public Theatre, their customer service leaves a lot to be desired. While calling to fix an online mistake due to the website's horrible navigation system I was billed twice. I spoke with a very Condescending and Combative female phone representative. I was nothing but nice and held my tongue.But while reviewing the situation in my mind, it made me quite angry and not wanting to book another event at this Venue ever!!!. It's also happened in the past and I let it slide. Not this time!!! Please hire courteous and understanding representatives to deal with the public. I stopped being a Supporter years ago due to other situations that were eventually rectified. I don't pay money to be spoken to in a condescending manner nor do I want to speak with a combative person. This exchange took place on 2/7/2024 @ 12:20 PM I'm still upset. Individual was just mean and nasty.I didn't want to call and speak with Supervisor as I am afraid to call this place again. Situation was fixed but not very nicely

Elle B.

Yelp
Came here to see the production of For Colored Girls, that has not been on Broadway since 1976! So this was a pivitol moment in history and I was happy to be able to view the play. I have come to this theater several times over the years to see different things, such as music performances and plays and it is comfortable, nice staff, easily accessible via public transportation. They also have many additional free or low cost programs that one can enjoy.

Brian L.

Yelp
Housed in the former Astor Library, The Public Theater is accessible via the R and N trains to 8th street or the #6 train to Astor Place. In the addition to hosting two Shakespeare performances at the Delacorte in Central Park every summer, The Public at Astor Place also showcases year-round productions in each of its six performance spaces. The Martinson and LuEsther Halls have their own accessible restrooms, but patrons for the Newman, Shiva, and Anspacher Theaters must use the restrooms on the lobby level. Joe's Pub offers both live entertainment and a small dinner menu (www.yelp.com/biz/joes-pub-at-the-public-new-york). The lobby--which has the box office, restrooms, an island that sells food and drink--is open to the public. Lines for will call at the box office are split by last name: A thru L and M thru Z. With an incredibly misleading name, "The Library" on the mezzanine level is not a repository of books but rather a supper club that is only open to the public from 17:30 - midnight. It's open during the day for private engagements but guarded by a bouncer. The balcony on the mezzanine level has tables and chairs that are available to anyone and seems to be popular with NYU students. The last show I saw was at the Anspacher Theater, which has an arena stage layout. Expect well-cushioned auditorium seats with ample legroom. Don't be startled if the room rumbles once or twice from a passing train underground (not part of the performance).

Lily R.

Yelp
Came to see Girl from the North Country at the Public. Thank you so much for providing a venue for this wonderful play. It was one of the best things I've seen in several years. I don't want to ruin the play for anyone, but it was magical and transformative and moving, really amazing things from both the playwright and the re-worked Bob Dylan catalogue. I can't say enough good things! I hope more people get a chance to experience it. The theater was the perfect size; it was a bit smaller scale than some of the large broadway theaters and felt more intimate. The seats were much more comfortable than what most avid show goers will be used to, I guess since it wasn't built in the 19th century lol. The ordering process was easy- ordered online and picked up from will call immediately before the show. Very pleasant experience all around.

Kyla Z.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite places on earth. They are consistently creating new and interesting theatre. It is always affordable. This time I got Rush tickets for $20 on todaytix.com. The theatre that comes out of this place changes the face of theatre in America. HAIR started here. Hamilton started here. They also have Joes pub with frequent performances, and they have Shakespeare in the Park during the summer.

Maria V.

Yelp
If you enjoy intimate shows/ acts then come ... there are several places ... Joe's pub , Newman theater... they have a lounge/restaurant called The library . Staff was helpful Several parking garages nearby

Andrea A.

Yelp
My first time and certainly not my last! Big flags outside- can't miss it! Was pleasantly surprised with my experience considering I didn't know what to expect. Ordered tickets for Seawall A Life months in advance but never received an email or printed ticket. Was a little concerned but figured we have the proof of purchase in any case electronically. Once we got to the theater (which was super clean and very modern/slick in design) we were directed to the box office booth and they handed us actual physical tickets as if we will-called them. Happy! Love saving ticket stubs! There were snacks like coffee, sandwiches, pastries as well as beer and mixed drinks in the center of the first floor that could also be preordered before arrival as well as before intermission to be ready for you to beat the wait! Although the beer was on the fritz and seemed not to be pouring correctly. Had to wait a while for it. There were art fixtures around the space and a photobooth for fun. There looked to be a cafe upstairs too. The seating for the actual show was very intimate and even in the last row would be easy to watch and enjoy the stage. Not very far or up high at all. The play itself- amazing. Deep and thoughtful. Beautifully written and acted. Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge were heartfelt and compelling. The acoustics were great too. You could hear the actors picking their nails from the top row. Checked the upcoming shows and nothing really peaked my interest but I'll be checking back in the future.

Alexandra L.

Yelp
The Quick: The public theater started with the idea that everyone deserves to be able to afford access to the arts. Great productions, including my favorite Shakespeare in the park. The Details: The public theater has so much to offer. My favorite is Shakespeare in the park, but they also have Tori this is terrible comedian who does her show in the pub, and then they take on productions discussing race and gender. You never know what you're going to get with the public, but the players are usually meaningful and deep.

Jordan B.

Yelp
I haven't seen very many plays/musicals in New York, but saw Tiny Beautiful Things over the weekend with my boyfriend. I've walked by the Public Theater hundreds of times and always thought the outside looked beautiful, but had never gone in until now. The inner atrium is massive, but I walked right to the corridor where they were funneling people in TBT. I bought my tickets online so I walked right up to the ticket checker person, she scanned them, and directed me to the door where my seats would be. Super simple, efficient process. I arrived about 20 minutes early and didn't have to wait a second. The theater itself was pretty small compared to the massive Broadway theaters, but I thought of it as a positive. Even in the middle of the theater, I felt I could see the entire stage and hear the actors clearly. Seats aren't like movie theater seats but are more like chairs with wooden arm rests - they were still comfortable enough to sit in for 85 minutes straight. One weird thing is that every once in a while, you can feel the 6 train rumbling underneath you. Kind of added to the play though. The play was wonderful and I had such a good time at The Public Theater. Would recommend Tiny Beautiful Things!

Simon M.

Yelp
VERY RUDE Staff Literally FROZEN out of Mother of the Maid. Ruined the experience They blasted the Air Conditioning into a matinee group of mostly elderly patrons & then the staff mouthed off on departing patrons, rolling their eyes & laughing VERY Rude All everyone was taking about on leaving was the air conditioning

Sally W.

Yelp
I've been to a show at Joe's Pub and The Public Theater (Newman auditorium). There are other auditoriums in The Public Theater but I have yet to visit it. I went to a show at Joe's Pub and I found it ridiculously expensive for what you get. Last night I went to see a play at the Newman Auditorium and there was no bad seat. The stadium seating was super exaggerated at a huge incline. The seats were not ultra tight, there was room to wiggle around!! And there was so much leg room too. As anyone who goes to plays can tell you, most theatres squeeze as many seats as possible into tiny auditoriums. This is one of the few times I felt comfortable at a play. It was not too cold, not too hot, not packed in like sardines. And the play I saw, Barbecue, was amazingly funny. It was a very well written play.

Rachel A.

Yelp
Free shows, cheap shows, the most famous Shakespeare show, and sold out shows. That's a lot of shows from The Public Theater. I asked a friend if they wanted to see a free play at The Public Theater on Lafayette. The response I got was, "No thanks. Readings are pretty boring. There's no sets or anything." Feeling disheartened and rejected I got it. The theater, plays, musicals, singing, dancing, etc... It's not for everyone. In truth, before this response, I had never heard of a reading before. It's actually exactly what it sounds like. People reading. No sets, no costumes, no blocking, etc. It's just a bunch of actors reading a script. I went to watch a reading of Rey P.'s Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them Too. It was part of the New Work Now! festival, a series to support emerging theater artists whether they be playwrights, actors, directors, etc. All of the readings were free to the public. I went to the showing on Mother's Day. Coincidentally one of the themes in the script was about parents, particularly mothers. I found the content so moving that I was brought to tears. The script was so powerful and the actors did such a great job. I imagined how much better it would be at the dress rehearsal stage or as a full blown production. The Public Theater also runs a Summer Play Festival which offers plays for $10 admission. Space is limited and sells out very fast. I've always been turned down or put on a waitlist by the ticket booth for this one but it's worth it to keep trying. Kind of like Shakespeare in the Park which they also produce. Never been to that one either but it's a very New York thing to do that everyone should experience once. Thank you Public Theater for your New Work Now! festival. It introduced me to your organization, a new aspect of the arts, the comforts of your theater, and made me a fan of everything that you do. See you soon again!

Jando S.

Yelp
Shows come and go, but theaters, especially good ones often remain. Having attended various shows (many of which were free or incredibly inexpensive!), I can say without a doubt The Public Theater is one of the finest venues for any show in the city. The Public Theater is neither gawdy or visually impressive, but for the many acts that pass through here year in and year out, it is definitely among the most active. Broadway has its own flavor in Midtown, but this place in the hearts of many from theater geeks to live show newbies. It's been said before, but its quite true - there is no bad seat in the house. The production value here is good enough for front row fiends to nosebleed ninjas. Sound has never been an issue and the staff is friendly. I always secretly rejoice when I find a show I'm looking to watch happens to be playing here. Finally, if you can score a rush ticket (same day), it's worth it. Back in the day they were $20 and below, which beats hitting up one of the city's many overpriced movie theaters any day of the week.

Jessie W.

Yelp
This review is actually for both the Public Theater itself and for the Public Mobile Unit. I saw Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors here and it was fantastic! First, how can you not love and support the mission of the mobile unit. "...That Shakespeare belongs to everybody and that making sure his work is available and accessible to the most diverse and democratic audiences is not only good for the audiences, it's good for the work.""The mobile unit tours the five boroughs and beyond performing in prisons, homeless shelters, community centers and generally anywhere where we think we can reach audiences who are not normally invited to the table when high culture is on the menu." They bring us Shakespeare in the Park every summer! This production was sent in one of the intimate little auditoriums as theater in the round. Now, intimate does not mean dim and dingy. The theater was bright and clean with only a couple rows of seating on all four sides so there isn't a bad seat in the house! The cast of comedy of errors was spectacular! Obviously, Comedy is in the title, but I was laughing out loud for most of the play. I would gladly see the show again and recommend that you all catch it before it's too late!

Jonathan R.

Yelp
The first time I was here was to see John Leguizamo perform in Latino History for Morons back in March and it was spectacular. I had such a good time and enjoyed it very much! The second time was a few weeks ago to see Twelfth Night, a more updated version of it (LOL). HILARIOUS! The play did made me laugh so hard, I couldn't stop. It was so much fun and I will most definitely see it again. Anyone interested in seeing this play should go and see it at least once and did I mention that it's FREE! The Public Theatre is is amazing! The place is well organized and all locations are well signed so you can't get lost but if you do, their amazing staff will be there to help and even go up the flight of stairs with you. Their entrance looks spectacular with its "snack/bar" and behind it, to get your tickets. Overall, The Public Theatre is a great place for everyone to enjoy a play or two. Not many people have the luxury to see plays at Broadway, especially with their prices and the public theatre offers everyone a chance to see a play and have the theatre experience.

Melissa C.

Yelp
If you're on the fence about going to see "Here Lies Love," I am here to tell you to GO SEE IT NOW! It was undoubtedly the best and most fun off-Broadway show I've ever seen. We were able to buy rush tickets for $40, which are sold an hour before the show. We lined up an hour before that (so two hours before the show time) and were third in line. At least when you're waiting for these tickets, you can sit and be indoors! Can't say the same for Shakespeare in the park. There's also a cafe inside where you could buy snacks/drinks while you wait. Once we got tickets, we were free to leave and kill time before the show started. All tickets for Here Lies Love are standing unless you want to be in the balcony with seats but I don't recommend this. Since the stages move, you don't need to get here early for a good spot as you will be moving too! If you like interactive theater and dancing, you'll love Here Lies Love.

Caitlin C.

Yelp
I adore everything about the Public. Their new building makes you feel like you're always a part of some exciting, buzzing "happening" when you're there. And usually you *are*, since their top-notch programming always attracts a high profile crowd. The lobby bar and Joe's Pub are great spots as well.

Rachel A.

Yelp
Overall this was a great theater. They were casual and very approachable. For me, a theater novice, this was very nice. It put me at ease and when I got talking to people it semed that there was a big mix of people. Some just loved theater, a lot were performers coming to appreciate the arts and learn, and others were like me. They wanted to see something specific or just wanted to get more familiar with theater. The only critiscm I would have would be the size of their elevators and their bathrooms. The bathrooms were very hot and the way it was set up made it hard to tell if there were open stalls. The elevators were small and made it tough for people to get to the upstairs theaters.

Alexandrine V.

Yelp
I was unable to make the show "Feos" due to a train collision at 96th street. The ticket office staff made sure that I was able to attend with a complimentary ticket to make up for my unfortunate miss. The staff are so courteous and professional here, right down to the ushers. I do wish that the seats were roomier and less spartan; however, on the service side, they are clearly doing their jobs well. Great audiences and artists deserve this kind of a place.

Alexis S.

Yelp
I came here to see John Leguizamos Latin History for Morons and the theatre experience was great. The space itself is laid out really nicely and the seats in the auditorium where the show was happening were very comfortable. I would definitely come here again for another show.

Alicia G.

Yelp
Oh Public Theater Box Office. I like you, I do. The staff is a lot more friendlier than they used to be and it's very appreciated. It really is. You know what would really help? If you posted the box office hours on your website. Yeah, it would be great, especially for members. The people who work in this enclosed box are usually friendly and nice (and patient if there is no line). I love that I can leave my tickets there at will call. I also discoved that if you're a student you can get a student ticket for any performance for $25 cash. What?? Who can get a student ticket in advance these days? You can. Here. At The Public Theater.

Lee E.

Yelp
I saw Seawall/ A Life here a few months ago. I absolutely loved it. The theater itself is intimate and inviting. Allowing the audience to fully engage with the art unfolding on stage. Tickets are affordable and it's nice t feel that the entire community is encouraged to come. If I lived in NYC I would definitely be a regular here!

David Vernon L.

Yelp
The Public Theater has many pluses, but their on-line ticket buying service for members is a joke. I've been on-line for more than two hours in a "waiting room" that variously has my position at #1 and somewhere in the two hundreds and a notice that the line is moving and they are working to resolve a technical issue. Am asking myself whether their shows are worth this level of aggravation. And after 2:30 hours, another failure (see second picture).

Mary O.

Yelp
Remodeled very comfortable theatre. Saw Gently Down the Stream. Fabulous. Moving, touching and beautifully acted b

Rima R.

Yelp
I had the most amazing customer experience ever with Josh at The Public Theater's Box Office. His professionalism and concern with clients is above and beyond. So impressed! Thank You. Rima Rabbath

Yoyi B.

Yelp
This august institution isn't what it was under the visionary leadership of Joe Papp, it's different now. But compared to other theaters in New York it remains indispensable. I wish they more often produced original shows instead of sometimes relying on presenting shows that had previously been produced at other, often smaller, venues. But there is still value in giving larger audiences an opportunity to see these crucial productions, for example the ERS production of Gatz or the Foundry Theater's production of The Good Person of Szechwan. The production of Gatz for example I would have missed had it not been extended at the Public. I also wish that tickets for the Shakespeare in the Park productions were more accessible. Too many seats are now awarded to large, corporate donors. But keeping this place going for so many years now, with a beautiful renovation no less, is heroic work and I imagine that painful compromises have to be struck so I don't want to complain too much. This is a five star review remember. If you want to subscribe to one theater in New York, subscribe to the Public. It offers a variety of kinds of shows (cabaret at Joe's Pub, the aforementioned Shakespeare productions, new plays) in a beautiful building (the old Astor Library). There is also a restaurant (decent food but the location is what makes it awesome) and a bar in the lobby. Also important to note the Public demonstrates a commitment to New York City that many tourist-chasing theaters do not. The staff and the artists presented tend to be more demographically inclusive then you see at more staid theaters. Going to the Public gives you a feeling of being connected to this great city. It's worth just wandering into the lobby and seeing what is on that night. There are sometimes rush tickets available for the same day. Check the website or call the box office for details. Anything you see at the Public is going to be of quality. Even if a particular production isn't your cup of tea you'll for sure have an experience that will teach you something about theater.

Jeff L.

Yelp
I have seen the three current productions running at the public. All have been amazing. Before your very eyes has a group of very talented kids in the show. Eclipsed is moving up to Broadway shortly. Seating is excellent in the three theaters. Staff couldn't be more helpful. The have elevators and members can hang out in the library.

Pamela K.

Yelp
This review is for the Library located on the second floor of the Public. Celebrated my girlfriend's birthday and participated in Restaurant Week dinner. Upon arrival, the restaurant was completely empty. It has a very intimate setting with just the right amount of lighting. I ordered the Waiting for Godot cocktail with vodka, dry vermouth, mint, and an awesome watermelon ice cube. It was worth every dollar. The SPF 42 cocktail was also so so good. The service was great. Our server didn't rush us as we took our time to order and pleasantly surprised the birthday girl with a birthday candle in her dessert. I ordered the corn soup with peektoe crab for the appetizer. It was the right amount of creamy richness with sweet, crunchy corn. The heat of the chillies will hit you after a few spoonfuls. I just wish there was more crab. The flat iron steak was good but portion sizes were a bit off. My portion was smaller than what was served to both my friends. The salad was dressed nicely and the frites portions were huge! The strawberry rhubarb crumble was a generous portion- the actual crumble was delicious but the filling was a bit too sweet for my liking. I highly recommend this place for their delicious cocktails and not-your-average-NYC atmosphere!

Rey P.

Yelp
My 150th Review!!! I thought I should celebrate that milestone by celebrating the place that employs me, The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival. I've worked here since October 2006, but I've been a patron of the theater since seeing THE TEMPEST in Central Park in 1995 or something. Aside from producing a downtown season containing classics and new work on Lafayette Street and Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte uptown, the Public produces festivals like Under the Radar and New Work Now, provides a space for the LAByrinth Theater Company, and several special events like last year's workshop of IN DARFUR and the first Native (American) Theater Festival ever. Plus, there's the $20 rush policy the day of the show; and that's not restricted to students. It's for the public, because the Public Theater is meant to be for the public, natch. Anyone can get those tickets; just show up 2 hours before curtain (earlier for really popular shows). I'm totally happy to work here, so come see a show. I swear I don't work in the Marketing Department, I'm just actually proud of everything the Public does. SHOWS I'VE ENJOYED: Passing Strange, The Winter's Tale, The Wild Party, Topdog/Underdog, Yellowface, Durango, and so many more!

Elle P.

Yelp
I can't help but love this place. If you're a true theater-loving geek (especially if you love edgy avant garde works), then The Public Theater is your nirvana. I've been there a few times to see various plays (most notably Gatz, an amazing all day reading of The Great Gatsby) and I've always enjoyed myself. The tickets are rarely pricey and they often sell rush tickets at steep discounts. The shows are not the typical glitzy Broadway shows, but smaller more intimate affairs that push the boundaries of what we view as public performance. These quirky, off-beat, and often simply bizarre works stretch your mind in terms of what you conceive as performance art.

Martina D.

Yelp
Really awesome venue!! It was a restaurant/bar with a stage... Had a cheese burger, 7 out of 10. Wine selection was small but I had two glasses of the Pinot Grigio from New Zealand and it was pretty good. I came for the Etta James tribute and all the singers were amazing. William Blake, the main singer, was phenomenal and has a voice that gave me chills. Although the stage was small, and the setup was simple, I thought it was a perfect way to strip everything down to make it all about the music. No fancy clothes or outfit changes. I know this is also (or mainly) a critique about the show, but since the stage was so small I'm assuming most performances have this element of simplicity. It was like going to a nice restaurant with good service (sold out show) and the wait for my food and drinks wasn't long. The lighting was nice, dim but not too dim, and there was a good amount of tables yet it wasn't crowded or stuffy. It didn't feel like a bar with live music, but more of an upscale restaurant with a theater there. I wish I had gone more than once. I went to see my friend perform (one of the three backup singers), but the fact the place was so comfortable and nice would have definitely swayed me to have come a couple times.

Di P.

Yelp
Travelled to this theater when I heard that Lin-Manuel Miranda's new musical Hamilton was playing. I snatched up tickets and dutifully, excitedly showed up in the snow storm. We went straight to the small bar importantly set in the middle of their open lobby that has entrances to different theaters much like spokes coming off a wheel. Above the bar, a modern crown-- an art installment called the Shakespeare Machine (generates various phrases from 37 different Shakespeare plays) that was captivating and lighthearted. Two strong gin and tonics later, we sauntered into the theater where there really is no bad seat. The theater was intimate, minimalist and yet every move was meaningfully planned. With a name like Public Theater you'd expect maybe faint rotting wood smell, heavy curtains, lots of carpeting. Not at all here. Very modern. Very clean. Very great. Three cheers to this theater. Great production and enjoyable venue.

Jessica M.

Yelp
You can never go wrong with seeing something at the public theater or the cabaret style Joe's Pub next door. You will be whisked away to worlds of intrigue and excitement. The acting talent you'll experience is world class and the plays and themes on stage define the downtown theater scene from past to present. I would say, don't pay full price because you can usually get rush tickets two hours before a performance startsbut call the box office to confirm. If you have out of town guests in New York, bring them here. *Warning: You can hear the subway running below the theater during most performances. I find this charming. You may not.

Trudy L.

Yelp
This was my first time going for a performance here. I like how cozy it is, as opposed to a massive cavern that you'll get lost in. The performance I went to see was "Black Light" and it was amazing. Catch it before it leaves.

C E.

Yelp
I love this space and place. I just went for Danny Hoch's Taking Over. I sat in the front rover and could see the spit coming out of his mouth. Thank goodness none flew on me. The lighting was great. The ushers were helpful. The bathrooms small, but a small price to pay when you are at a venue that has great theater. If you are looking for something experiemental, this is the place. If you are looking for some ny specific performance content this is the place. If you want to be in a cool scene and among those cultured millenials this is the place. btw...the seats don't have armrests so be prepared. Shows usually start promptly so don't be late. Thirdly, if you reserved a ticket usually your name and add/zip code gets you the ticket sans an i.d.

Tony L.

Yelp
The Newman Theatre at The Public is one of my favorites spaces in New York. There isn't a bad seat, there is normally great sound mixing (that isn't over amplified like in Broadway houses) and most show just seem perfectly at home here. For instance: "Road Show" really used the brick or the back wall to its advantage and left the entire theatre looking like it was part of the set. "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" completely used the space with lights, drapery, portraits of dead presidents, chandeliers...the set overtook the entire theatre. Awesome. The train rumble that you frequently hear adds to the ambiance of the space. Like at Studio 54, there is some kind of raw, true-life greatness to hearing the low rumble of a passing train during live theatre. The Public Theatre is one of New York's greatest assets and I'm happy to see it doing well.

Albert W.

Yelp
My is this place fancy. It's sort of like a mini version of Lincoln Center for me. So +5 points on my dating profile on how cultured I am. Friend of mine invited me here for a rendition of Hamlet. $15, 30 minutes, an Indian man with his monologue. Interesting. Pretty funny. Georgous space and the wait wasn't too bad. Means of egress is always important! Oh and nice bathrooms.

Archie W.

Yelp
Talentless actors and rude staff. More importantly - atrocious playwrights. Avoid at all costs. It's a really shitty theater. One of the worst I have seen in NYC. Do not waste your money!! Do not waste your time even if it is free!!

Jennifer N.

Yelp
So truth be told, none of today's bad events were the fault of the Public Theater-- but none of today's events left me with a particularly good impression of Public Theater either. Problem #1: My husband and I had tickets to see Idiot Savant (more on that later) at 7PM. We got there at 6:40, and the lobby was all abuzz with pre-theater chatting. Yet, no one seemed to be telling anyone where to actually go to see the play. It turned out there was one TINY man who was walking around in a voice no louder than a whisper saying "Idiot Savant, third floor." It just felt stupid and disorganized that there was no better system for communicating the location of the play. Problem #2: The entire audience was seated and eagerly awaiting the start of the play when an announcement was made-- apparently, tonight is the first night the play starts at 7pm, and one cast member had forgotten this -- so he hadn't arrived yet. Now, pardon me, I'm no theater buff, but I just assumed that these people actually got to work a bit ahead of time- like an hour or two- especially since they have to get into costume and makeup. So even if this actor thought the play was at 8pm, shouldn't he have planned to arrive before 7:30? All this to say the play ended up starting 35 minutes late. Problem #3: The play sucked.

Susan L.

Yelp
Today we saw the third play in the four-play series about the fictitious Apple family - and although it had the same terrific cast and it was a good play overall, it really dragged at times. However; the renovations have been completed and the theater looks *great*, plus the seats were very comfortable. Amazingly, the tickets still cost only $15/each.

Samantha L.

Yelp
I attended this venue for Astor Hours for the New York City Wine and Food Festival and this is honestly a beautiful space. When we first walked in we were greeted with an enormous room with plenty of white bright lights and a bar that took up almost 40% of the room. The chandelier was unique and beautiful - with a modern take on a chandelier. The other rooms had distinct personalities that seemed to completely take you away from the foyer. From the bar and lounge to the left or the library-esque room on the second floor, it was all very lovely. If you can attend an event here - just for the excuse to roam around the space, I would definitely recommend it.

Phil L.

Yelp
I'm not a big theater/museum type but when I'm dragged along to these places I'm usually bored out of my mind and end up falling asleep. The Public Theater as a venue is pretty sweet. It's not like the typical places you see in midtown where the buildings are older and a little more dingy. Whomever designed Public Theater did a great job as it looks modern, exciting, and just visually looks great.

Katherine B.

Yelp
Fantastic shows! But expensive. Also, worst web site ever.. I would go there more but their web site just makes you want to yell! Very challenging to actually get info & purchase tickets which you'd think would be the point.

Wendy C.

Yelp
I saw Privacy and Here Lies Love at the Public Theater. Both of these shows were fantastic. But as a non-member purchasing a ticket for Privacy, it was so expensive! The Public Theater puts out great shows but they should make it easier to obtain cheaper tickets. All the cheap tickets were bought by members earlier. The theater itself is very clean and well-kept.

Jonah N.

Yelp
I went to the theater a few months ago to see a flamenco troupe in town. The show itself was good, but the venue has a few problems. First, the pricing of the drinks is high considering the cost of the tickets. More importantly, they pack an insane number of chairs and tables into a rotunda which makes it impossible to see without blocking someone or facing the incorrect direction. I really wanted to like this place, but the seating arrangements as they had it make it impossible to enjoy the show. I'd recommend the place only (and only) if you can get good seats.