NOHO — The Public Theater and Joe's Pub reopened on Saturday after power outages during Hurricane Sandy shuttered the venues all week. In celebration of having the lights back on, both spaces are hosting a post-hurricane ticket giveaway, doling out all of their remaining seats to many of this weekend's shows.
“The staff and artists of The Public Theater have responded to the crisis of Hurricane Sandy with the same devotion, passion and tireless work that we have seen in all our fellow citizens,” said Oskar Eustis, The Public Theater's artistic director, in a statement. “We are all proud New Yorkers and we want to welcome everyone back downtown by throwing our doors open to the city this weekend."
Theater-goers who lined up at The Public Theater box office Saturday afternoon were able to score free seats to the evening's performances, including a Saturday night show at Joe's Pub featuring stories from Jack Hitt, a Peabody Award-winning journalist and regular on This American Life.
Tickets for Sunday's shows at The Public Theater will be handed out Sunday starting at noon at the box office, at 425 Lafayette Street, on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two tickets per person.
Sunday's performances include the plays "Wild With Happy," at 2 and 8 p.m., "Sorry," at 7:30 p.m. and the musical "Giant" at 1 and 7 p.m.
"This last month we have been rededicating Joseph Papp’s Public Theater with a series of events to remind us all of the great democratic mission of The Public," Eustis said. "This weekend, free for all, will be a fitting capstone to that rededication.”
The Theater and Joe's Pub were forced to cancel shows earlier in the week after losing power during Hurricane Sandy. Both spaces will continue now with regularly scheduled shows, a spokeswoman said.
