American Masters

I must do something that has some value. I can't just can't be in show business. I just don't do shows. They must have meaning. (upbeat music) -

Announcer

Here in Central Park, New York, Papp's Shakespeare performances are absolutely free. The only way to get a seat is to queue for it. Why don't we charge admission? This is considered important to the, to the life of the city, the educational life. Joe Papp was saying, this is the way art should be. I mean this is public theater that was public, it was free. I felt even a quarter would be too much. -

Actor

What dreadful dole is here! Eyes, do you see? How can it be? (woman yelling) -

Woman

Oh me. He thought if I'm King Lear, then everybody else can be. Joe wanted to fill the stage with the same kind of people he was gonna fill the audience with, all the people of the city. (audience applauding) He felt that his theater could lead an army, that he could fight the good fight, that he could put his theater on a tank and lead a division. (fast upbeat music)