Joseph Papp

Joseph Papp (born Joseph Papirofsky; June 22, 1921 – October 31, 1991) was an American theatrical producer and director. He created The Public Theater in what had been the Astor Library Building in lower Manhattan.
He produced David Rabe, Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf", Charles Gordone's "No Place to Be Somebody", and Michael Bennett's Pulitzer Prize–winning musical, "A Chorus Line".
Papp also founded Shakespeare in the Park, helped to develop other off-Broadway theatres and worked to preserve the historic Broadway Theatre District. He was born in New York City.
Papp died on October 31, 1991 in New York City from prostate cancer, aged 70.