Old Globe in San Diego Finds New Artistic Director at Public Theater

Barry Edelstein, a director, producer and author, has been appointed artistic director of the Old Globe in San Diego, the theater's board announced Tuesday. He will start in the position on Nov. 1 and move to San Diego in January.

Mr. Edelstein is currently the director of the Public Theater's Shakespeare Initiative, overseeing Shakespeare productions, as well as the theater's educational, outreach and artist-training programs.  He was also an associate producer of the Public's Broadway production of “The Merchant of Venice,” starring Al Pacino, in the 2010-11 season.

Before coming to the Public, Mr. Edelstein served as the artistic director of the Classic Stage Company, an Off Broadway theater in New York that doubled in size during his tenure and won six Obie Awards as well as the Lucille Lortel Award for outstanding body of work.

At the Old Globe, he will work with Michael G. Murphy, the theater's managing director. Mr. Edelstein is replacing Lou Spisto, who resigned last year as chief executive and executive producer.

Mr. Edelstein is also the author of “Bardisms: Shakespeare for All Occasions” and “Thinking Shakespeare,” a text on American Shakespearean acting.