Has the Public Theater lost its relevance?

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 6:54am

It’s no longer on a pedestal, no longer the preeminent New York theater company, just one of many off broadway theaters, it’s very sad what’s happened

[MB124]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 8:20am

Go away troll. 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 8:21am

Troll or no, this is basically true. That they still go by their name is kind of outrageous. I wouldn't go so far as to say that they're just another off-Broadway theater, because of their size and resources, but they charge Broadway prices and have used those resources in bewildering ways.

Updated On: 2/19/26 at 08:21 AM

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 8:53am

Merkin2 said: "It’s no longer on a pedestal, no longer the preeminent New York theater company, just one of many off broadway theaters, it’s very sad what’s happened"

I’d agree with this statement. One of last most exciting things to come out the Public was what Hells Kitchen, and what is that saying? They’ve traded thoughtful programming for attempts at commercial royalties. And a lot of what I’ve seen there has been undercooked.

Hopefully things will turn around. 

 

[binau]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 11:10am

The biggest issue I see, which is obvious from their financial statements if I recall, is that after the Hamilton success someone had the bright idea to try and scale and expand, building an empire and exponentially increasing costs. This was made even worse post pandemic when costs increased all over the place not that they could have seen it coming. They would have been better off having a greater, tighter focus with less programming and less staff and less costs. 

The ticket sales for these non profit off broadway theatres do not adequately pay for the costs, instead they need donations to cover, a lot of donations. More programming doesn’t necessarily mean more donations but it does mean more costs. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 11:15am

Sadly their programming is no longer what it used to be.  The shows are oddly mined and half baked at best.  They could use an overhaul in what they produce.  It's lost a lot of its relevance in production, artistry and content. 

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 12:53pm

I don’t know if I agree the Public has lost its relevance (yet), but I definitely think their programming the last handful of years has been less than exciting. I used to attend at least one or two Public shows a year, but I haven’t seen a show there in the last couple of years.

Even the few times I’ve been slightly interested and considered buying a ticket, the ticket prices were always way too steep for my interest level.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 1:03pm

The Warriors will give them a huge boost this Fall.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 1:03pm

Eustis has proven himself to be greedy, with middling taste. The programming has been mostly mediocre for years now, and the prices are outrageous for a theatre downtown. 

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 1:32pm

I can't recall a recent season when they had more than one show I did not want to miss.  Previously, it was always at least two or three.  And the buzz about many, if not most, of their productions seems almost non-existent.  I also no longer understand their brand or priorities in what shows they choose to mount.

 

[Kad]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 1:38pm

The Public had an incredible run where they were the arguably the most prominent American theatre from the late 00s to just before the pandemic. I don't think that would ever be sustainable forever, and they poured resources into renovating their lobby and creating an in-house restaurant/event space instead of renovating their performance spaces or back of house. Eustis is clearly enamored of big names and Broadway transfers while also becoming less effective as someone spearheading the development of new work. They're also another nonprofit that the pandemic clearly knocked off the rails and exposed their weaknesses and they have yet to regain their footing. New leadership there is sorely needed- any luster Eustis had has long been worn away. 

Joe's Pub, thankfully, continues to be a gem and is arguably getting better talent and more interesting shows than the Public's mainstages. 

Updated On: 2/19/26 at 01:38 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 1:52pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "Eustis has proven himself to be greedy, with middling taste. The programming has been mostly mediocre for years now, and the prices are outrageous for a theatre downtown."

His "Why Theater is Essential To Democracy" TedTalk is pretty obnoxious, I think. I watched it again recently and was reminded why it rubs me the wrong way. It starts off well and then turns into a humblebrag about his accomplishments and why you should give The Public Theatre money <<eye roll>>

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 1:57pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "Eustis has proven himself to be greedy, with middling taste. The programming has been mostly mediocre for years now, and the prices are outrageous for a theatre downtown."

His "Why Theater is Essential To Democracy" TedTalk is pretty obnoxious, I think. I watched it again recently and was reminded why it rubs me the wrong way. It starts off well and then turns into a humblebrag about his accomplishments and why you should give The Public Theatre money <>"

You know when they are trying to divert audience from the real thing when they start to use key words like : Democracy, Freedom, Authoritarianism 

Updated On: 2/19/26 at 01:57 PM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 2:13pm

Sutton Ross said: "The Warriors will give them a huge boost this Fall."

Is it going there?  LCT was in their radar too 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 2:23pm

Actually, considering how many millions he gave to it, it might debut at The People's Theater: Centro Cultural Inmigrante in Inwood. He can just have all events or premieres of his shows there from now on. People will come and the center looks absolutely stunning from the outside. It will be open this Fall when he wants the show to happen so why not?

Updated On: 2/19/26 at 02:23 PM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 2:27pm

Completely for this.  Lin has done enough for the Public. 
They need a reconning for better there. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 2:33pm

Completely agree. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 2:41pm

I'm not a New Yorker, so I'm trying to get ahold of the question. Is the argument about losing relevance based on quality: people just aren't enjoying as many of the shows? Or of a loss of more daring material? Or is it referencing the late Joe Papp's original aim to bring theater to the masses (i.e. a Public Theater), and how soaring ticket prices have made a mockery of that? I get one might answer "yes" to all of this--depending on one's opinion--but I'm just trying to grasp what's actually being asked here.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 2:44pm

To me it is very much a yes to all of that. 

[Kad]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 2:47pm

Sutton Ross said: "Actually, considering how many millions he gave to it, it might debut atThe People's Theater: Centro Cultural Inmigrante in Inwood. He can just have all events or premieres of hisshows there from now on. People will come and the center looks absolutely stunning from the outside. It will be open this Fall when he wants the show to happen so why not?"

Lin is not debuting his follow up to Hamilton at a 200-seat theater in Inwood, particularly not a mission-driven nonprofit one dedicated specifically to the immigrant experience. It's not his personal artistic playground. 

Updated On: 2/19/26 at 02:47 PM

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 2:55pm

They built a theater in inwood??  Who’s trekking all the way out there?

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 3:02pm

People, including many theater professionals, live there actually. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 3:15pm

Merkin2 said: "They built a theater in inwood?? Who’s trekking all the way out there?"

Lolz. Oh Flash, with all your switching of screen names I guess you missed this massive project for the past 3 years and all of their updates. And the same could be said about any theater not in midtown, honestly. No trek involved, and if you had ever been to New York State, or looked at any map, you would probably know that. On to the next sn, babe!

Inwood is vibrant and gorgeous, and this center is something the community will benefit from. And considering Hamilton debuted in The Newman which has 299 seats, a mid size theater (which the Peoples Theater has) would fit The Warriors just fine. I hope it happens with great success.

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 4:02pm

I don’t even like going downtown honestly, will only do it for something great.  The Skin of Our Teeth wasn’t worth it.  Glass Kill What If was terrible except the impressive “circus” acts in between the scenes.  Sally and Tom was very good and worthy of a Broadway transfer 

 I prefer all the off broadway theaters to be on the outskirts of Broadway like Laura pels, and my favorite PH 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 4:37pm

Cool, but thankfully for the millions of people who live across the boroughs and the millions more willing to travel for something special, theater isn't exclusively for midtown tourists who are afraid of riding a few subway stops.