The ancient world of Thebes has found new life—and new urgency—on the Off-Broadway stage, as Anna Ziegler’s adaptation, Antigone (This Play I Read in High School), continues to draw crowds and spark conversation at the Public Theater in New York City. Officially opening on March 11, 2026, the production has already made such an impression that its run, initially set to close on March 22, has been extended through April 12 at the company’s Barbaralee Theater, according to Playbill.
Directed by Tyne Rafaeli, the play takes inspiration from Sophocles’ classic tragedy but reimagines it through a distinctly modern lens. The story centers around an independent young woman, Antigone, determined to assert control over her own body and destiny—even as she faces a world governed by archaic and misogynist laws. The production’s cast boasts Tony winners Celia Keenan-Bolger as Chorus and Tony Shalhoub as Creon, with Susannah Perkins stepping into the title role of Antigone. The ensemble also features Ethan Dubin (Copy 3/Achilles), Katie Kreisler (Cop 1/Proprietor), Dave Quay (Cop 2/Palace Guard), Calvin Leon Smith (Haemon), and Haley Wong (Ismene).
Previews for the production began on February 26, 2026, allowing audiences an early glimpse into a world where ancient Thebes and modern America collide. The creative team behind the show is equally impressive, with scenic design by David Zinn, costumes by Enver Chakartash, lighting by Jen Schriever, sound design and music by Daniel Kluger, and prop management by Claire M. Kavanah.
In an earlier statement shared by Playbill, playwright Anna Ziegler explained her motivation for revisiting this time-honored story: "I wrote this Antigone adaptation hoping to capture how absurd, painful, and deeply human it feels to navigate the moral minefields of our moment. I’m so excited to bring it to The Public, a theatre that has shaped my imagination for decades and welcomes nuance and conversation. My hope is that audiences leave with a renewed appreciation for Antigone’s bravery—and also a sense, however begrudging, of how hard it is to lead other human beings, even as so many of our own leaders fall short."
Director Tyne Rafaeli echoed Ziegler’s sentiments, emphasizing the play’s resonance with contemporary audiences. "Anna's adaptation of Antigone pulls this ancient text into our modern moment without gimmick or reduction. By channeling what made the original so radical, she has created a singular theatrical world that straddles ancient Thebes and modern America and asks the most important question of our time: what is a citizen to do in the face of an unjust law? She does so with wild imagination, humor, sophistication, and visceral force. For the Greeks, theatre was a democratic imperative, a space for the public to collectively process their world. Today, there is no better home for this play than The Public—one of the last true civic gathering places we have. I am thrilled to be working with The Public on this astonishing play that has survived millennia for a reason."
The production’s opening has not gone unnoticed by the wider media. On March 18, 2026, both Tony Shalhoub and Celia Keenan-Bolger appeared on TODAY to discuss the play, reflecting on their roles and the adaptation’s timely themes. As reported by NBC News, the actors delved into what drew them to the project and how the play explores the importance of finding and using one’s voice in the face of injustice. Shalhoub, who plays the rigid ruler Creon, shared what attracted him to Ziegler’s script, while Keenan-Bolger spoke candidly about her initial hesitation to take on the role of Chorus. Both also offered personal anecdotes about their own high school experiences, adding a touch of levity to the otherwise weighty material.
The play’s modern retelling has been lauded for its ability to bridge the ancient and the contemporary, inviting audiences to reconsider the relevance of Antigone’s story in a world still grappling with questions of authority, justice, and civil disobedience. As Rafaeli pointed out, the production asks, “What is a citizen to do in the face of an unjust law?”—a question that feels as pressing now as it did in Sophocles’ time.
But what makes this adaptation stand out among the countless retellings of Greek tragedy? For one, Ziegler’s script does not simply transplant the story into the present; rather, it weaves together the language, stakes, and dilemmas of both eras. The result is a play that feels at once timeless and urgently of the moment. The character of Antigone, played by Susannah Perkins, emerges as a symbol of resistance against institutional power, her struggle rendered all the more poignant by the production’s contemporary setting and nuanced performances.
The ensemble cast, led by Keenan-Bolger and Shalhoub, has received particular praise for their ability to inhabit roles that are both archetypal and deeply human. According to Playbill, Keenan-Bolger’s Chorus serves as a bridge between the audience and the unfolding drama, guiding viewers through the moral complexities of the story. Shalhoub’s Creon, meanwhile, is portrayed with a mix of authority and vulnerability, embodying the challenges and pitfalls of leadership in a fractured society.
The design elements further reinforce the play’s dual identity. David Zinn’s scenic design and Enver Chakartash’s costumes evoke both the grandeur of ancient Thebes and the immediacy of modern life, while Jen Schriever’s lighting and Daniel Kluger’s sound design create an atmosphere that is by turns haunting and electric. The Barbaralee Theater itself, housed within the Public, provides an intimate setting that encourages reflection and dialogue—qualities that Ziegler and Rafaeli both identify as central to the play’s mission.
Tickets for the extended run are available through PublicTheater.org, and judging by the early buzz, seats are likely to remain in high demand. The production’s extension is a testament not only to the enduring power of Sophocles’ original but also to the fresh perspective brought by Ziegler and her creative team.
As the cast and crew continue their run, the questions posed by Antigone (This Play I Read in High School) linger in the air: How do we confront injustice? What does it mean to be brave in the face of overwhelming odds? And perhaps most importantly, how can we, as citizens, find our voices—and use them—when the stakes are highest?
In a world where the lines between past and present are often blurred, the Public Theater’s latest offering reminds us that some stories—and some struggles—are truly timeless.