One Public
New York’s Public Theater in the Era of Oskar Eustis

By (author) Kevin Landis

ISBN13: 9781350283459

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Published: 05/02/2026

Availability: Not yet available

Description
Since its founding by Joseph Papp in the 1950s, The Public Theater has been an American artistic leader defined by its breadth of programming, from Hair and A Chorus Line to Free Shakespeare in the Park. With the recent critical and financial success of Fun Home and Hamilton, and its emphasis on new play development, The Public’s contemporary history has been equally remarkable, even as world crises and social changes have tested the mettle of its foundation of accessible and “radically inclusive” theater for all. One Public presents the broader organization, its creative methodology, and its enormous growth over the past twenty years. Framed by the tenure and leadership of its current artistic director Oskar Eustis, the book tells the contemporary story, recorded over many interviews with iconic practitioners and performers, ranging from Diane Paulus, Tony Kushner, and Lynn Nottage to Kevin Kline, Chelsea Clinton, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Case study-driven, One Public uses oral history accounts and authorial experience to illuminate The Public Theater, Eustis, and their cultural influence on the city of New York and the greater United States. The story highlights the successes and challenges of an institution at once espousing a mission of inclusive and community-based arts creation, while also developing Broadway hits and international fame.
Chapter One: One Public Theme: Positioning the theatre- A Chorus Line to Hamilton, history and leadership Chapter Two and Three: The Park and Under the Lights Theme: The Park and Shakespeare- Julius Caesar, Mother Courage, Merchant of Venice, Hair Chapters Four and Five: Lafayette and Coming Home Theme: Development at the Public: The Gabriels Trilogy, Father Comes Home from the Wars Chapter Six: Broadway “Bound” Themes: Musical Theatre, Uptown vs. Downtown: Here Lies Love, Fun Home, Hamilton Chapter Seven: Pub Faire Theme: Music and cabaret, what is new work?, 600 Highwayman’s The Fever Chapter Eight : Diversity and Confrontation Theme: legacy of race-blind casting, diverse voices, controversy- Southern Comfort, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Sweat Chapter Nine: To the People Theme: Mobile Unit, Public Works, Romeo and Juliet Conclusion: American National Theatre
  • Society & culture: general
  • Theatre management
  • Professional & Vocational
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List Price: £19.99