Joseph Papp Way (Manhattan)
Present name:None
Location:Intersection of Astor Place and Lafayette Street.
Honoree: Joseph Papp (1921-1991) was arguably the single most creative and controversial figure in American theater in the 20th Century. He founded the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1954. It was the first company in the United States to offer free productions of Shakespeare, with an emphasis on an American style of performance. The festival performed in the New York City’s parks and opened its permanent, open-air home in Central Park, the Delacorte Theater, in 1962. The Festival expanded in 1967, when the Public Theater opened in the landmark Astor Library building in the East Village. The company renovated the building to house five theaters. It was one of the pioneers of the nonprofit theater movement in the City and across the United States. Joseph Papp launched over 900 productions, including numerous groundbreaking works by American playwrights, changing the face of American theater. (Rivera)
LL:2018/139