New York City is the hub of the world and a hub unto itself.

PUBLIC WORKS has been going strong for 14 years. It brings New Yorkers of all ages and races together in participatory theater to, “…create extraordinary works of art that remind us that humanity is at its best when the boundaries that divide us give way to the shared act of making something together.”

Oskar Eustis, artistic director of The Public Theater, and Pablo Hernandez Basulto, director of Civic Artistic Programs at The Public, stepped out onto The Delacorte’s bare stage to introduce the night’s performance and share the impetus behind what we were about to see: the insane concept that everybody, yes everybody, is an artist. We all have a need to express ourselves, in words, in movement, in music, in the telling of our stories, and the evening showcased that sentiment under the trees and under the stars when representatives from all five boroughs came together to share their talents and their lives, arriving from all around the globe, as New Yorkers.

It was a remarkable evening of joy and celebration of who we are as a community. New Yorkers. A reminder that every one of us is a divine spark of light.

The cast of over 100, from 7 to 84 years old, shared their stories of birth, life, marriage, what their obituaries should say, and what it’s like to live in such close proximity to each other day in and day out and still have individuality. The show was 70 minutes of your neighbors from all walks of life gathering, which is what we do in the city that never sleeps: we gather, we share. Strangers acting democracy out because that’s the only way for us all to survive together.

The presentation of Public Records is the records of our lives. Much more than the certificates handed out at birth, marriage, and death. What happened in front of us exploded through dance, song, and storytelling, stepped out from the everyday to the extraordinary: The tap tap tap of water drops as the A/C of the neighbor above you drips onto yours, the music of the constant sirens, the call to prayer of different religious denominations, hyper-aware on the subway while simultaneously looking unbothered, what it is like to live in the proximity of others’ armpits, the coo of mourning doves, pots clunking out of windows during COVID, when the towers fell, and we couldn’t look

at one another without breaking down, and the reaching out and giving back when the need was present.

Public Records displayed for all the joy of a song that can pull you out of your chair into movement, swaying in the after-dark times of dancing that is beautiful, sexy, lovely, and tender all at once. Moving to a freedom where you can be anyone you choose to be, expressed through the freedom of dance.

From the oldest cast member to the youngest, each story was different, yet shared a stunning commonality. How we live together. How we heal from physical and emotional pain, together. Our lives lived and shared, together. This is the story of All of Us in a city that has taken us all in. The story of a city that holds our memories of who we were, and who we are. The stage that night was a living, breathing being, bringing joy and community- a rockin’ and rollin’ night in the middle of Central Park!

It only ran four nights. Not enough! So, please, please, please keep an eye out for next year’s presentation from Public Works. Not to be missed if you’re a New Yorker, either in mind, in heart, or in spirit.

Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring,
Concept and Creative Direction by Dan Canham and Emily Lim. 
Original Orchestrations & Music Supervision by Michael Thurber 
Co-directed and Choreographed by Dan Canham,
Directed by Emily Lim. Based on an original concept by Emily Lim and Dan Canham, Musical Supervision and Songs by Ross Millard and Words by Stewart Pringle

With: Amanda Castro, Louis Cato, Niall Jones, Lysis, Raechelle Manalo, Maya Margarita, Alora Tonielle Martinez, Arturo O’Farrill, Papi Juice, Arun Ramamurthy, Mireya Ramos, William Roberson, Niki Salude, and 100 fellow New Yorkers from all five boroughs!

Creative Team: Lisa Sanaye Dring-Playwright, Michael Thurber-Original Orchestrations, Music Supervisor, Music Director, Arrangements, Dan Canham-Co-Director & Choreographer, Emily Lim-Co-Director, Arthur Wilson- Scenic Design, Rodrigo Muñoz- Costume Design, Victoria Bain- Lighting Design, Taylor J.

Williams- Sound Design, Jessica Zivny-Prop Manager, David Lai- Music Contractor, Kelly Campbell-Vocal and Choir Director, Narda E. Alcorn-Production Stage Manager, Benjamin E. C. Pfister- Stage Manager, Kate Wellhofer- Stage Manager.

Dates: Five performances only, nightly at 8:00 PM through September 8, 2026.
All free, as is everything at The Delacorte!

The Delacorte Theater, 81 Central Park West, NY NY 10024