Performances begin April 2 at The Public Theater for the world premiere of Socrates by Tim Blake Nelson. Directed by Tony winner Doug Hughes, the new work charts the philosopher’s growing prominence in democratic Athens, through the military and social upheavals that led to one of the most infamous executions in Western history.

Starring in the title role is Tony nominee Michael Stuhlbarg (The Pillowman), who is joined by David Aaron Baker as Anytus/Eryximachus/Guard, Ro Boddie (ensemble), Teagle F. Bougere as Plato, Niall Cunningham (A Boy), Peter Jay Fernandez as Thrasymachus/Lycon/Polus, Karl Green as Lamprocles/Aenesidemos, Miriam A. Hyman as Xanthippe, Robert Joy as Crito/Chaerephon/Meletus the Elder, Alan Mendez as Andromachus/Aetios, Tom Nelis as Proxenus/Gorgias/Aristophanes, Dave Quay as Diokles/Meletus, Daniel Reece (ensemble), Austin Smith as Alcibiades/Simmias, Joe Tapper as Agathon/Meno, and Lee Wilkof as Megasthenes/The Archon.

Socrates, which will officially open April 16, is a tribute to a man whose ideas continue to inspire today's thinking about authority, freedom, and belief.

The play is a key part of The Public's Onassis Festival 2019: Democracy is Coming, a 19-day festival of arts and ideas that celebrates, evaluates, and considers anew the concept of democracy.

Socrates will continue through May 19 in The Public's Martinson Hall. The Onassis Festival will run April 10–28 at The Public Theater and venues across the city.