Avi Hoffman Hosts a One Night Only Festival of Classics

This Spring, stay tuned for a One night only of Shakespeare, his Contemporaries and theatrical experimentation — the Legacy of Joseph Papp and ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ is explored by Avi Hoffman, who hosts five companies sharing classic literature, theater and impacts on American culture

Actor Avi Hoffman will host a ‘Festival of Classics’ exploring the man, Joseph Papp, who was literally ‘Shakespeare in the Park.’

This production features classical theater — with new twists. Hoffman hosts this special night with five other South Florida companies producing theatrical elements celebrating classical literature, history and culture.

Hoffman knew Joe Papp personally and will introduce each ‘scene’ or vignette from productions by South Florida theater companies including:
‘Romeo and Juliet’ Shakespeare’s play from Shakespeare Troupe of South Florida — SToSF
‘Julia + Roselo’ Lope de Vega’s play produced in conjunction with SToSF and Grace Arts FL — GACFL
‘Macbeth’ Shakespeare’s play produced by New City Players
‘Song of Deborah’ a musical interlude inspired by 1960’s social justice movements produced by GACFL and Emily Ricca Dance Collective
‘King Lear’ Shakespeare’s play produced by Thinking Cap Theatre
‘Joseph Papp’ ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ — Hoffman interprets a number of documentaries and written recordings of the life of Papp and his work in 1960’s New York to establish free Shakespeare performances at The Delacorte Theater, an 1800 seat outdoor theater in Central Park, at West 81st Street and Central Park West.
Papp loved to help people. He helped young actors get work and become stars through his revolutionary establishment of the ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ program. “James Earl Jones, Raul Julia, Meryl Streep, Kevin Klein, Ossie Davis and so many others worked for little or no pay in the early days. Hoffman describes his own training under Papp as a young actor. “Joe made stars. He was definitely a star maker.”
Hoffman became dedicated to telling the story of Joseph Papp to a new generation who seems to have forgotten this great leader of the arts, theater, culture and social change. He will share his newest creation, a new theatrical exposition about Joseph Papp and the influence he had in the American art scene.