A Festival of Classics Explores the Legacy of Joe Papp

Miami, FL

If you're under the age of 40 and enjoy outdoor festivals like "Shakespeare in the Park," you may be unaware that it took practically a NY revolution in the 1960's to bring these kinds of plays and musicals to the public. Through his advocacy, Joseph Papp, a very forward thinking theatre producer, made Public Theatre possible not just for the elite but people from all backgrounds.

South Florida theatre aficionados will get to delve deep into the history of Mr. Joe Papp, Monday March 16th, 2:30pm and 7:30pm at Mizner Park Cultural Center. Five South Florida Theatre Companies and Actor Avi Hoffman host a ‘Festival of Classics,’ exploring the man, Joseph Papp, who was literally ‘Shakespeare in the Park.’

Hoffman knew Joe Papp personally and will introduce a ‘scene’ from productions by 5 South Florida theater companies creating works from the Golden Age of Literature to the Counter Culture revolution of the 1960’s including:

‘Romeo and Juliet’ Shakespeare’s play from Shakespeare Troupe of South Florida — SToSF

‘Julia + Roselo’ Lope de Vega’s play produced in conjunction with SToSF and Grace Arts FL — GACFL

‘Macbeth’ Shakespeare’s play produced by New City Players

‘Song of Deborah’ a musical interlude inspired by 1960’s social justice movements produced by GACFL

‘King Lear’ Shakespeare’s play produced by Thinking Cap Theatre

‘Joseph Papp’ ‘Shakespeare in the Park’

Joe Papp’s daughter, Susan, joins Avi to share special moments with the audience and clips from a documentary about the early days in New York when the famous producer and theater director built a moving stage to bring Shakespeare to many neighborhoods and residents who had no exposure to theater. Many of the young people interviewed who attended the free performances took up careers in the arts working as actors in Papp’s productions.

The evening will end with a meet and greet with the artists including new 2020 projects.

What: Festival of Classics with Special Guest Susan Papp
Where: Mizner Park Cultural Center 201 W Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432
When: March 16th 2020, 2:30pm (matinee) and 7:30pm
Tickets: Click Here

For more information contact Clare Vickery of Grace Arts Fl 954–816-3324