Public Record and Bark of Millions to Be Presented for Free at the Delacorte Theater

The Public Theater has announced additional free events for its summer season at the Delacorte Theater’ in Central Park.

Public Works will return to the Delacorte for the first time since 2023 with Public Record, September 4-8, followed later in the month by Taylor Mac and Matt Ray’s Songs From Bark of Millions, playing September 18-20.

Public Record is based on a concept by Emily Lim and Dan Canham that was originally developed by Public Acts at the London’s National Theatre, Sunderland Culture, and Sunderland Empire. Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring, with music by Michael Thurber, the production is directed by Lim, with Canham serving as co-director and choreographer.

The work finds New Yorkers from all five boroughs coming together to create a live album in real time, blending music, dance, and storytelling. The completed recording will be preserved by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

The production features a cast of more than 100 performers, including dancers Raechelle Manalo, Niki Saludez, and William Roberson; musicians Louis Cato, Arturo O’Farrill, Arun Ramamurthy, and Mireya Ramos; DJ Papi Juice; and Public Works community members representing all five boroughs. The participating community organizations are Brownsville Recreation Center, Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education, Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, Children’s Aid, DreamYard, Domestic Workers United, The Fortune Society, Hunts Point Alliance for Children, and Military Resilience Foundation.

Songs From Bark of Millions, an exploration of queer history, will be adapted specifically for an outdoor presentation in Central Park. Mac provides lyrics and direction, while Ray serves as composer and music director. The performances will feature the Plethora, including Mama Alto, El Beh, Heather Christian, Viva DeConcini, Chris Giarmo, Greg Glassman, Jack Fuller, Emily Hope Price, Dana Lyn, Taylor Mac, Joel Mateo, Machine Dazzle, Wes Olivier, Lisa “Paz” Parrott, Matt Ray, Stephen Quinn, Jules Skloot, Shirazette Tinnin, and Gary Wang.

Both productions will be free to the public.