Stars to come out to support NYC theater
The Monday virtual event, called “We Are One Public,” will support the fabled Public Theater.
NEW YORK » Jesse Tyler Ferguson is a star in his own right, but even he has had to gulp at the wattage on tap for the upcoming benefit for New York City’s fabled Public Theater.
Meryl Streep, Antonio Banderas, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alicia Keys, Daniel Craig, Danielle Brooks, Glenn Close, Elvis Costello, Claire Danes, Danai Gurira, Anne Hathaway, John Leguizamo, Audra McDonald, Sandra Oh, David Hyde Pierce and Sting are just some of stars expected to attend the Monday virtual event, called “We Are One Public.”
“It is a pretty impressive list,” said Ferguson, who will be the host. “I can’t believe I’m going to have one-on-one conversations with these people. Some are friends, but I also have to prepare that I’m going to have a conversation with Sting — which is really mind-blowing.”
Other participants include Laura Benanti, Todd Almond, Troy Anthony Burton, Michael Cerveris, Carla Duren, Danaya Esperanza, Jane Fonda, NanyaAkuki Goodrich, David Henry Hwang, Brian d’Arcy James, John Lithgow, Phillipa Soo, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Nikki M. James, Margaret Odette, Kelli O’Hara, Suzan-Lori Parks, Phylicia Rashad, Jay O. Sanders, Liev Schreiber and Martin Sheen.
The event is free and will be livestreamed on The Public’s website, YouTube channel and Facebook page. The celebration replaces The Public’s annual gala held beside the stage where it offers Shakespeare in the Park.
The off-Broadway nonprofit The Public is an artistic powerhouse, premiering the musical “Hair” in 1967, nurturing such works as “Fun Home” and “Caroline, or Change” and incubating the mega-hit “Hamilton.” It has received 59 Tony Awards.
Ferguson, “The Modern Family” star who was to be starring on Broadway this spring in a revival of “Take Me Out,” mourns that stages across the city are shut, but sees a bright spot.
“It’s heartbreaking, but at the same time the union of all these people coming together to celebrate The Public is exactly what The Public is all about,” he said. “It’s about the people, the city and celebrating theater.”