Sweet & Sad Performed on 9/11 Anniversary

The cast of Sweet and Sad(clockwise from left) Maryann Plunkett, Jay O. Sanders, Shuler Hensley, J. Smith-Cameron, Laila Robins, and Jon DeVries, written and directed by Richard Nelson, a Public Lab production running at The Public Theater September 6 – September 25. Photo credit: Joseph Moran.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) will begin previews for the world premiere of Richard Nelson’s new play SWEET AND SAD on Tuesday, September 6. The first show in the 2011-2012 Public Lab season,SWEET AND SAD takes place over Sunday brunch on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 with a cast that featuresJon DeVries,Shuler Hensley,Maryann Plunkett, Laila Robins, Jay O. Sanders and J. Smith-Cameron.
SWEET AND SAD will run through Sunday, September 25, with an official press opening on Sunday, September 11.All tickets for Public Lab productions are $15 and are on sale now.

The Apple Family finds themselves together again for the first time since Election Night, 2010. Marian, reeling from a personal tragedy, now lives with her sister Barbara; sister Jane is back with her boyfriend Tim; their brother Richard has come up from Manhattan; and Uncle Benjamin prepares for his first dramatic performance in years. Over Sunday brunch on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the Apples find themselves talking about loss, memory, remembrance and the meaning of compensation.

SWEET AND SAD will feature scenery and costumes designed bySusan Hilferty; lighting designed by Jennifer Tipton; and sound designed byScott Lehrer.
The 2011-2012 Public Lab fall season will continue withLOVE’S LABOR’S LOST, directed by Karin Coonrod (October 16 to November 6), and TITUS ANDRONICUS, directed byMichael Sexton and featuring Jay O. Sanders as Titus (November 29 to December 18).

Celebrating its 5th Anniversary Season, Public Lab provides thrilling opportunities for both audiences and artists. Audiences gain access to more of the theater they love from The Public -- both Shakespeare and new work -- at the affordable price of only $15, and artists, both emerging and established, gain a new platform to further develop their work on stage and in performance.  With scaled-down productions (shorter rehearsal periods and smaller budgets), Public Lab allows audiences and artists to experience extraordinary theater together.