The return of the Public Theater‘s mobile unit will feature the theme Summer of Joy, beginning on Saturday July 31 and running through Sunday, August 29. The unit will offer the free four-week tour throughout the boroughs in New York City’s various public plazas.
This Mobile Unit tour will “break traditional theatrical molds” and invite people to gather and play a role in creating each show. The Summer of Joy tour is a direct response to the COVID pandemic, giving New Yorkers the opportunity to participate a narrative that speaks to collective and individual resilience, healing, and joy in this long-awaited moment of reunion.
Each day will begin with the National Black Theatre’s Stage for Healing and Resilience, co-produced by The Public Theater and National Black Theatre. This community stage will be followed by MALIK WORK’S VERSES @ WORK, written and performed by Mobile Unit artist Malik Work. The experience will culminate in SHAKESPEARE: CALL AND RESPONSE, conceived and directed by Patricia McGregor.
The tour stops will also be visited by People’s Bus, a project of the New York City Civic Engagement Commission that focuses on five initiatives: well-being and mental health; climate justice and environmental health; know your rights education; food security; and participatory budgeting and economic empowerment.
All performances begin at 4:30 PM, except for the August 8 performance at Johnny Hartman Plaza, which will begin at 2 PM. The schedule is as follows:
July 31-August 1 – Astor Place (Manhattan)
August 5-6 – Roberto Clemente Plaza (Bronx)
August 7-8 – Johnny Hartman Plaza (Manhattan)
August 12 – Osborn Plaza (Brooklyn)
August 13 – Albee Square (Brooklyn)
August 14-15 – 125th Street Plaza (Manhattan)
August 20 – Albee Square (Brooklyn)
August 21-22 – Myrtle/Wyckoff Plaza (Queens)
August 28-29 – Osborn Plaza (Brooklyn)
A full tour schedule and more details can be found at publictheater.org.
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