Series of Events to Mark Public Theater\'s Renovations

By ROBIN POGREBIN

The Public Theater's $40 million revitalization of its downtown home at Astor Place will be unveiled Oct. 4 with a series of events to mark a re-dedication to its founding principles of artistic development and public accessibility.

The theater's eight weeks of events - many of which are free - include a movie night featuring the Public's Tony-nominated 1972 production of “Much Ado About Nothing” starring Sam Waterston; a discussion on the life of American cities with Anna Deavere Smith, the actor and playwright, and David Simon, creator of the HBO series “The Wire”; and an evening of songs from the Public's musical “February House” that reunites the original cast and band.

“This beautiful revitalization links the stage and the street, making the building a living manifestation of our mission to create a dynamic, diverse and democratic culture,” said Oskar Eustis, the Public Theater's artistic director , in a statement. “We want to invite the entire city to join us as we celebrate this milestone and begin our next chapter.”