Theater News

Public Theater Announces Free Encore Performance of Runaways

Sam Pinkleton’s production of Elizabeth Swados’s musical had its premiere in 2016 as part of New York City Center’s Encores! Off-Center series.

Elizabeth Swados's Runaways will receive a free added public performance at the Delacorte Theater on June 12.
Runaways will receive a free added public performance at the Delacorte Theater on June 12.
(© Joan Marcus)

The Public Theater has announced an added free public performance of Runaways on Tuesday, June 12, at the Delacorte Theater. This performance will come a day after the theater's previously announced gala concert featuring a concert performance of Elizabeth Swados's groundbreaking 1978 musical.

Runaways will be directed by Sam Pinkleton, with choreography by Ani Taj and creative advisement by Jeanine Tesori. This production had its premiere in June 2016 as part of New York City Center's Encores! Off-Center series.

Examining the lives of children who run away from home and live on the streets, the work was inspired by interviews Swados conducted with real-life runaways. Premiering at the Public Theater on February 21, 1978, it moved to Broadway's Plymouth Theater that spring where it ran 274 performances. Swados, then 27 years old, was the show's composer, book writer, director, and choreographer. She was nominated for four 1978 Tony Awards for each of her contributions to the work, as well as Drama Desk Awards for her direction, music, and lyrics. Swados died at the age of 64 in January 2016.

The cast will feature Frenie Acoba, Sumaya Bouhbal, Kenneth Cabral, Maxwell Cabral, Taylor Caldwell, Jaiya Chetram, Adleesa Edwards, Xavier Frantz, Aidan Gemme, Reyna Guerra, Dwany Guzman, Noelle Hogan, Christina Jimenez, Jari Jones, Esco Jouléy, Luka Kain, Kylie McNeill, Cele Pahucki, Sam Poon, Lauren Putz, Siena Rafter, Claudia Ramirez, Deandre Sevon, Jeremy Shinder, Ripley Sobo, Chris Sumpter, and Maxwell Vice.