Joseph Papp saved the former the Astor Library on Lafayette from being demolished and turned it into one of NYC's best non profit theaters (5 theaters, restaurant and adjacent Joe's Pub). Off Broadway is an excellent opportunity to see shows and actors in more intimate settings. Hair, A Chorus Line, Hamilton and many other shows had productions at The Public before transferring to Broadway. Not a full list of some of the shows I've seen on one of their stages: Hamilton, Suffs, Fun Home, Hell's Kitchen, Fat Ham, Here Lies Love, Girl from North Country, Seat of your Pants, Teenage Dick, Soft Power, Oh Happy Day, The Visitor, Girl Interrupted and more. read more

I visited the Public Theater for the first time a couple of weeks ago for a play. I didn't love the play, but I did love the theater itself. No bad seats, a nice bar area, friendly staff. It's modern and cool and in a great location. A great off-Broadway option for more intimate productions, and they definitely put on interesting shows. I'd say I'd be happy to come back for another show, but I already have tickets to another. And I'm looking forward to it. read more

The Public Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

Fantastic venue for watching a show. I had great seats that were very comfortable and right in front of the performers. John Leguizamo was fantastic in his portrayal of a typical stubborn Hispanic father. I won't say more to avoid ruining it for others. Many of the guests were left in tears. What I like about the venue is the intimate setting that allows you to enjoy the show without the large crowds that make seeing a show on Broadway such a nightmare. Especially the seating which are usually so uncomfortable that I avoid going to them. However this place was fantastic and I would recommend it highly if you want to enjoy a good show and dinner. The area is bustling with activity from clubs next door with lots of people ready to party. This was a great night out. read more

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A multi-floor venue with spacious lobby, handicap access and excellent customer service, The Public Theater is a beloved space for NY theatergoers. At a time when Broadway ticket prices have soared to absurdly high levels, The Public has managed to maintain reasonable pricing without stinting on production quality. I recently saw "Sumo" at the Anspacher Theater, an intimate upstairs space with comfy seating and great sight lines. The play centers around the professional and personal challenges of athletes living in a sumo "heya." As the actors are not actual sumo wrestlers, they had to train extensively in order to perform these physically demanding roles. It was an excellent production and a great learning experience about this ancient Japanese sport. Seating at live performances offered downstairs at "Joe's Pub" can be tight, so I prefer productions at the dedicated theaters. read more

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John Leguizamo a big salute to you for directing such an impactful play -all the actors play their part amazingly -Luna Lauren Velez remember her from Dexter loved the strong woman part she played in this play-like I said they were all amazing. The story line was that of probably many Latin American families struggling to always have more for their family. A definite must see -The public theater had great seats and very comfortable I would go again. read more

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John Leguizamo's new play is a dark, riveting portrait of a family in crisis. At the center is Nelson, a laundromat owner whose failing business drives him to hustle everyone around him--his lawyer, his friends, even his own sister. At first, Leguizamo plays Nelson with sharp humor, but the laughs quickly give way to something far colder. As his son returns home from a psychiatric hospital, Nelson's true nature emerges: selfish, cruel, and emotionally hollow. The cast delivers across the board. Trey Santiago-Hudson is heartbreaking as Nick, capturing a young man's fragility with a rawness that makes you want to comfort him. Rebecca Jimenez brings power and nuance to Toni, the neglected daughter, while Bradley James Tejeda gives quiet strength to Eddie, her steadfast boyfriend. Luna Lauren Vélez is superb as Patti, the mother holding together a fractured family. She embodies the Latina matriarch with grace and grit, offering love and support even as her world crumbles around her. Watching her performance felt like witnessing a slow-motion disaster--tragic, inevitable, and unforgettable. Leguizamo's writing blends humor and heartbreak with striking honesty. The tension builds relentlessly, each scene more emotionally charged than the last. By the end, the audience is left breathless, caught between the need to see the conclusion and the wish for it not to end. This production is searing, powerful, and unmissable. read more

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A beautiful, intimate theater with comfortable seating. Wonderful, helpful staff. We saw The Other Americans, which was terrific. Which was also no surprise, seeing how it was written by and stars John Leguizamo, who is always terrific. But I never forgave him for that one time, in '93. I knew Pacino should have ended him in that back alley... read more

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Saw an amazing show at this great theater! Seats were comfy and sound and stage craft was great. Loved the show as well. read more

The Public Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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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! read more

The Public Theater - Newman Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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. read more

The Public Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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. read more

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This is A nice spot that stays hidden. A good place to eat and just chill. They had some unique dishes as well

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). read more

The Public Theater - Lobby bar - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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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. read more

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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. read more

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 read more

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. read more

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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 read more

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. read more

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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. read more

The Public Theater - Girl from the North Country was wonderful! - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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. read more

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! read more

The Public Theater - The playbill for tiny beautiful things! - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

The Public Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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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. read more

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. read more

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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! read more

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 read more

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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more