The benefit will take place at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. In February 2004, Wolfe announced he would step down from his post. Wolfe is only the third person to run the esteemed Public Theater, which was founded by Joseph Papp and is seen as one of the city's most artistically progressive and inclusive theatrical institutions. Between Papp's decades-long reign and Wolfe's tenure came a brief and tumultuous two-year stint headed by Joanne Akalaitis. Oskar Eustis is taking over as artistic director.

During his time at the Public, Wolfe nurtured the work of many minority writers, including future Pulitzer Prize winners such as Suzan Lori-Parks and Nilo Cruz. His other artistic relationships included close ones with Tony Kushner, Anna Deavere Smith, Savion Glover, Tonya Pinkins, and Michael John LaChiusa, all of whom saw their work produced at the Public.

During his decade at the helm, 13 Public productions were either produced directly on Broadway by the Public, were transferred by the Public from Off-Broadway to Broadway, or were transferred by other producers from the nonprofit's Lafayette Street headquarters to Broadway.