Daisy Prince (The Last Five Years, Songs for A New World, It's Only Life) directed the concert that offered songs from new musicals developed at the Public, including Hair; A Chorus Line; Caroline, or Change; the upcoming musical February House; and more. Chris Fenwick (Giant) was musical director.
In addition to Cumming (Cabaret), O'Hara (South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza), Lewis (Porgy and Bess), Keenan-Bolger (Peter and the Starcatcher, Merrily We Roll Along) and Steggert (Assistance, Grand Manner, Ragtime), the evening boasted Montego Glover (Memphis), Bejamin Walker (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Good People), Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid), John Ellison Conlee (The Full Monty), Lili Cooper (Spring Awakening), Matt Doyle (War Horse), Greg Hildreth (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Betsy Morgan (A Little Night Music), Eli James (One Man, Two Guvnors), Justin Levine (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Jessica Phillips (Leap of Faith, Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Katie Thompson (Giant), David Byrne of the Talking Heads, as well as Public writers including February House composer Gabriel Kahane and Ethan Lipton (No Place to Go).
"Musicals have been central to the history of The Public Theater since we opened the doors on Astor Place in the fall of 1967 with the world premiere of Hair," artistic director Oskar Eustis said in a previous statement. "From Two Gentleman Of Verona to Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk, from A Chorus Line to Passing Strange, the Public has created musicals that stretch the boundaries of the form and reflect the times we live in. Public Sings! is our celebration of that history and our preview of the future of our musical theatre."
