The Public Theater announced nine more productions for its 2026–27 season on September 30, 2026, bringing the total to 18. The additions include Wendell Pierce as Falstaff in Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 at the Delacorte Theater, the New York premiere of What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, and Caryl Churchill’s Triumph.
Key Takeaways
- Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 will open the summer 2027 Free Shakespeare in the Park season. It will be the first time both parts have been staged together at the Delacorte Theater since 1968.
- Rachel Chavkin, a Tony Award winner, directs Henry IV and also directs the winter world premiere of James Ijames’ Welcome Table, which begins February 18.
- Nathan Englander’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank runs April 8 to May 2, 2027, directed by Patrick Marber.
- Caryl Churchill’s Triumph is a free pop-up play premiering at the same time at The Public and at London’s Almeida Theatre, directed by Saheem Ali.
- Public Works marks its 15th anniversary with a new musical adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to close the summer at the Delacorte.
- The Mobile Unit marks 70 years since Joseph Papp’s original Mobile Theater with a free Shakespeare tour of all five boroughs in summer 2027.
Henry IV Returns to Central Park as a Single Story
The Public Theater’s centerpiece for summer 2027 is a production Central Park audiences have not seen in nearly six decades. Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 will be staged as one continuous story at the Delacorte Theater. Most companies present the two parts separately or cut them heavily. The Public is taking on the full arc of Prince Hal’s journey from the tavern to the throne, with Wendell Pierce playing Falstaff.
Falstaff is one of the most demanding comic roles in Shakespeare, and the part is central to the play’s emotional effect. Pierce’s casting puts a recognizable stage and screen actor at the center of a summer outdoor production.
Rachel Chavkin directs. The Public describes the production as a study of the true cost of a crown. Chavkin also directs Welcome Table, which begins performances downtown at Astor Place on February 18.
Caryl Churchill’s Triumph Premieres in New York and London
The Public Theater’s relationship with Caryl Churchill spans four decades, and Triumph is the latest chapter. The short play will premiere jointly at The Public and at London’s Almeida Theatre, with performances running in both cities at the same time. It is staged as a free pop-up production, directed by Saheem Ali, The Public’s associate artistic director and resident director.
Triumph is inspired by Suetonius’ The Twelve Caesars and follows Iris, a press secretary to the Roman emperors. Annaleigh Ashford and Joe Tapper star. The free format places a world premiere by a major living playwright within the reach of any New Yorker willing to show up.
Spring 2027 Brings Transfers and New Work Downtown
The Public Theater’s spring calendar at its Astor Place home leans on productions with track records elsewhere. What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank comes from London’s Marylebone Theatre, where it was nominated for an Olivier Award. Patrick Marber, who won a Tony for Leopoldstadt, directs again. The comedy follows two couples, one secular and one ultra-Orthodox, during an argument they had promised each other they would never have.
Other spring additions include:
- Meet Me at the End of the World (May 4 to June 13, 2027): a rock musical about singer-songwriter Jesse Malin, presented by Joe’s Pub after a run at Bowery Palace.
- Phil (May 25 to June 27, 2027): a world premiere from Elevator Repair Service, the downtown ensemble, based on a George Saunders novella.
The Delacorte Summer Slate Extends Across the City
The Public Theater has filled out the rest of its summer 2027 Delacorte season. Counting and Cracking, the Belvoir St Theatre and Kurinji co-production by S. Shakthidharan and Eamon Flack, returns to New York after earlier runs at NYU Skirball and in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Public Works closes the summer with a new musical adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with music and lyrics by Michael Thurber. Saheem Ali adapts and directs. The production celebrates the program’s 15th year of working with community members alongside professional actors.
The Mobile Unit will tour a free Shakespeare production directed by Lori Elizabeth Parquet through all five boroughs. Together, these programs extend The Public’s summer beyond Central Park and add to the city’s free summer culture calendar.
The Fall and Winter Slate Remains in Place
The new titles join the nine productions The Public Theater announced on April 29. Fall highlights include the North American premiere of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a musical arriving from London’s West End. Richard Nelson’s We’ll See, the latest play in his Rhinebeck Panorama series, follows the Apple family on November 3, 2026. Bedlam’s Are the Bennet Girls OK? begins January 26.
The Joseph Papp Free Performance Initiative continues across all 2026–27 productions, keeping free access available throughout the season. Artistic Director Oskar Eustis framed the season around The Public’s civic role, describing the institution as a theater that opens its stages to the city it serves.
FAQs
Who is starring in The Public Theater’s Henry IV?
Wendell Pierce plays Falstaff in Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, directed by Rachel Chavkin. It opens the summer 2027 Free Shakespeare in the Park season at the Delacorte Theater.
When does What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank play at The Public?
The New York premiere runs April 8 to May 2, 2027, at The Public’s Astor Place home. Patrick Marber directs Nathan Englander’s play.
What is Caryl Churchill’s Triumph about?
Triumph follows Iris, a press secretary to the Roman emperors, and is inspired by Suetonius’ The Twelve Caesars. It premieres jointly at The Public and London’s Almeida Theatre as a free pop-up play.
How many productions are in The Public Theater’s 2026–27 season?
The season includes 18 productions. Nine were announced in April 2026 and nine more were added on September 30, 2026.
Are Public Theater productions free in 2026–27?
Free Shakespeare in the Park, the Mobile Unit tour, and Triumph are free. The Joseph Papp Free Performance Initiative also offers free access across all 2026–27 productions.
