Papp, who has been a figure in the downtown theatre since its founding, also served as the leader of the Public's literary department from 1965-1991. Her late husband founded the Public in 1954 (then the NYSF), and Ms. Papp was also instrumental in the publication of Kenneth Turan's tome "Free for All: Joe Papp, The Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told." 

The Public is honoring Ms. Papp alongside Time Warner Inc. The gala included a dinner and party following a performance of All's Well That Ends Well.

Here is a look at the starry arrivals and post-show photo op:

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Audra McDonald, Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Lily Rabe, Steve Martin Honor Gail Papp at Public Theater Gala

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The Public is currently staging repertory productions of All's Well That Ends Well and Measure for Measure as the 2011 Shakespeare in the Park repertory offerings. Among the cast are Tony Award winners John Cullum and Tonya Pinkins, as well as Lorenzo Pisoni, Reg Rogers and Michael Hayden.

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