Theatre Producer, Director. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was regarded as one of the most influential producers and directors in the history of the American theater. In the 1960's, he took over the old Astor Library and turned it into the first Public Theater, a huge six-theater complex. He presented the work of many young playwrights, including David Rabe, Thomas Babe, Ed Bullins, Caryl Churchill, David Hare, David Henry Hwang, Wallace Shawn, Vaclav Havel, Miguel Pinero, Ntozake Shange, Michael Weller, George C. Wolfe, David Mamet, Tina Howe and John Guare. He also founded the New York Shakespeare Festival, through which he presented free Shakespeare in Central Park for more than three decades. His Public Theater was also the birthplace of two landmark American musicals, "Hair" and "A Chorus Line," the longest-running show in Broadway history. In addition, he helped build the careers of many actors, among them James Earl Jones, Meryl Streep, Raul Julia and Kevin Kline. He died of prostate cancer at age 70 in Greenwich Village, New York.
Theatre Producer, Director. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was regarded as one of the most influential producers and directors in the history of the American theater. In the 1960's, he took over the old Astor Library and turned it into the first Public Theater, a huge six-theater complex. He presented the work of many young playwrights, including David Rabe, Thomas Babe, Ed Bullins, Caryl Churchill, David Hare, David Henry Hwang, Wallace Shawn, Vaclav Havel, Miguel Pinero, Ntozake Shange, Michael Weller, George C. Wolfe, David Mamet, Tina Howe and John Guare. He also founded the New York Shakespeare Festival, through which he presented free Shakespeare in Central Park for more than three decades. His Public Theater was also the birthplace of two landmark American musicals, "Hair" and "A Chorus Line," the longest-running show in Broadway history. In addition, he helped build the careers of many actors, among them James Earl Jones, Meryl Streep, Raul Julia and Kevin Kline. He died of prostate cancer at age 70 in Greenwich Village, New York.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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