The Public Lab, which has devoted its past four seasons to exploring new voices in theatre, will take a minimalist approach to Shakespeare with the new endeavor. The focus will be on actor, text and the story.

Shakespeare Initiative director Barry Edelstein will helm the rarely produced Timon of Athens, which will run Feb. 15-March 6 in the Anspacher Theater. As with all Public LAB productions, tickets will be available at only $15.

Additional casting will be announced shortly.

"It is a momentous moment for us to expand the scope of Public LAB to present Shakespeare – seeing the Bard in this most essential and immediate form will be so thrilling for us all," Public Theater associate artistic director Mandy Hackett said in a statement. "I can’t imagine a better way to launch this than with our esteemed Barry Edelstein directing the deeply relevant and chilling Timon of Athens."

The Public describes Timon of Athens as "Shakespeare's play for the post-Bailout Age. Its central concern--money’s dark potential to corrupt every human interaction--couldn’t be more timely or fascinating. As one of Shakespeare's least-familiar works, it is also one of his most unique: a comedy written with an acid pen, a morality tale told in a fury." The production will have set design by Neil Patel, costume design by Katherine Roth, lighting design by Russell Champa and music composition by Curtis Moore.

Thomas appeared in the Shakespeare in the Park production of As You Like It, as well as the Broadway productions of Sunrise at Campobello, Strange Interlude, The Playroom, Everything in the Garden, Fifth of July, The Front Page, Democracy and A Naked Girl On The Appian Way. His numerous screen appearances include "The Waltons," "All Quiet on the Western Front," "Roots: The Next Generations," "The Red Badge of Courage," "Wonder Boys" and "Taking Woodstock."

Tickets will go on sale Jan. 18. Phone (212) 967-7555 or visit PublicTheater.

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