The Public Theater Honors Merle Debuskey

Legendary theatrical press agent and Theatre for a New Audience Artistic Council member Merle Debuskey was honored at a ceremony at The Public Theater on Wednesday, November 4. Friends and colleagues attended the event, paying tribute to Debuskey’s “invaluable contributions to The Public Theater and Free Shakespeare in the Park,” and presenting him with an honorary plaque. Debuskey served as The Public’s first and most lasting press agent, working with the organization from the 1950s until 1985. He went on to handle press for more than 300 Broadway productions, the highest number of any press agent in Broadway history.

Theatre for a New Audience Founding Artistic Director Jeffrey Horowitz was one of the noted attendees, joining playwright/director Moises Kaufman, director Richard Jay Alexander, and Gail Papp, widow of The Public’s founder, Joe Papp.

Above: Debuskey with actress Mae West