Nelson (James Joyce's The Dead), who debuted his political play That Hopey Changey Thing at the Public last season, returns with Sweet and Sad, which revisits the Apple family as they reflect on America a decade after the events of 9/11. Nelson also directs his play, which began previews Sept. 6 and runs through Sept. 25 as part of the Public LAB series.

The production reunites the cast of Hopey Changey, including Tony Award winners Shuler Hensley (Oklahoma!, Young Frankenstein) and Maryann Plunkett (Me and My Girl, A Man for All Seasons), as well as Jon DeVries (August: Osage County), Laila Robins (Heartbreak House), Jay O. Sanders (A Midsummer Night's Dream) and J. Smith-Cameron ("True Blood").

According to the Public, "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 has scenery and costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Jennifer Tipton and sound by Scott Lehrer.

The Public has also planned special talks on Sept. 15 with Nelson, Public Forum director Jeremy McCarter, "Up from Zero" author Paul Goldberger and Matt Dunning of the Tribeca Trib, who will discuss "Is a memorial for the dead or the living?" following the 7:30 PM performance. On Sept. 22, following the 7:30 PM performance, the Public will welcome Nelson, New York Times columnist Clyde Haberman and Susan Lerner of Common Cause/New York to discuss "Can we still talk across the political divide?"

For tickets and further information phone (212) 967-7555 or visit PublicTheater.

The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan.