By Lynn Nottage
Directed by Dawn Loveland Navarro
In 1905, an African American seamstress supports herself by creating exquisite lingerie for wealthy Manhattan
clients. When a letter arrives from a stranger, it awakens a desire within her that leads to the love that she yearned for, but it is nothing like she expected. This historical romance by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage creates a portrait of a young woman's determination and the true meaning of intimacy.
"…thoughtful, affecting…The play offers poignant commentary on an era when the cut and color of one's dress —and of course, skin—determined whom one could and could not marry, sleep with, even talk to in public." - Variety
"Ms. Nottage has done so much good historical research…I want Ms. Nottage to keep working with this form; we see it so little, and we need it so much" - New York Times"Lynn Nottage's work explores depths of humanness, the overlapping complexties of race, gender, culture and history—and the startling simplicity of desire—with a clear tenderness, with humor, with compassion." -Paula Vogel, Pulitzer prize-winning playwright
Previews on February 14 & 15,all seats $17.50 for Previews only. For other pricing, see our tickets page.
Opening Night: Februrary 16 - wine and cheese reception before the show.
Performances:
Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday at 8:00 pm
Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm, followed by a talk back with the cast.
Special Tuesday matinee on February 27 at 2:00pm - all seats $22.50 this show only.
Saturday, February 17th, 6:30pm
Young Professionals Night (Ages 21-35), includes wine/appetizers, networking and a show! Only $20!
Full Calendar
Talkin' Broadway
BroadwayWorld.com
Journal Inquirer
Stu on Broadway
From the Desk of Jim R...
Two On The Aisle
Bonnie's Blog
Pillow Talking
CT Theater News and Reviews
CT Critics Circle: T. Nissley
Production Photos
Photos: Curt Henderson
ANNA LAURA STRIDER (Mrs. Van Buren) Playhouse on Park debut! White Plains Performing Arts Center: Ensemble THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME; Stomping Ground Theater: Shelby STEEL MAGNOLIAS; NYC UnFringed Festival: Jill Johnson NEW DAWN THE MUSICAL; NYC Fringe Festival: Martha SUPER! THE MUSICAL; Amore Opera: Adele Cover DIE FLEDERMAUS; ID Channel: Ashley THE PERFECT MURDER. Anna Laura was crowned Miss Alabama in 2012. She placed in the top 12 at Miss America 2013 and won the Quality of Life award.
BEETHOVAN ODEN* (George) Playhouse on Park debut! Beethovan is a native of Oakland, California who residences in New York City. He is a graduate of both Cornish College of the Arts (B.F.A) and Southern Methodist University (M.F.A). A winner of the Black Theatre Alliance-Ossie Davis award-Best Featured Actor and The Blackstage Festival's- 2014 award- Best Actor. Off-Broadway credits: New Federal Theatre THE FABULOUS MISS MARIE and Luna Stage Company MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS. Regional credits: Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Florida Repertory, Capital Stage Company, Victory Gardens Theatre, The Dallas Theater Center, Seattle Repertory, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Indiana Repertory & Nebraska Shakespeare.
BEN MCLAUGHLIN (Mr. Marks)Playhouse on Park debut! Hole in the Wall Theater: Reverend Hale THE CRUCIBLE; Artfarm: 1st Zanni THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS; One-Eyed Jacks Theatre Co: Parker King MURDER FOR HIRE AND OTHER SIMILARLY LIGHT-HEARTED TOPICS OF CONVERSATION, Duncan LEADING LADIES, Brighella/Batman Commedia Dell'POW!; Central Connecticut State University: Trigorin THE SEAGULL, Touchstone AS YOU LIKE IT. Ben graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Acting. Thanks/Love to Thom, Sheila, Kate, Family
DARLENE HOPE* (Esther) Playhouse on Park Debut! Off-Broadway: SISTAS THE MUSICAL, NORMALCY. Asolo Rep: STRING OF PEARLS, ANYTHING TO DECLARE, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, TROJAN WOMEN, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA; Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey: ROMEO AND JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM. Norwegian Cruise Lines: AFTER MIDNIGHT. American Stage: HAIR. Polk Theatre: GIFT OF THE MAGI. Golden Apple Theatre: THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. Theatreworks USA: FREEDOM TRAIN. Film/New Media: COMMEDIA BY FAVA, DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER, WHEN BAE DOESNT PAY ATTENTION. Miss Hope is best known as the title character in A Visit From Aunt Flo, a viral campaign by HelloFlo in partnership with U by Kotex and Poise brands that has received over one million combined views on YouTube/Facebook, and winner at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. She has toured the US, South America and the Caribbean, extensively combining her theatrical performances with philanthropy, humanitarian relief, and young artist mentorship. She is the author of multiple plays and screenplays, and is the founder of HopeFull Productions. DarleneHope.com
XENIA GRAY (Mrs. Dickson) Playhouse on Park: Mrs. Pearce HIGGINS IN HARLEM. Recent credits include: Demetur DEFROCK YOU TOO, Angel CHANGE NEEDED,
The Lady in Red FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO'VE CONSIDERED SUICIDE FOR WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, Sinclair Betterthan FAMILY TIES, Miss Elliot MISSING, Renee THE PERFECT MATCH, and Vicky SET FOR LIFE. First Cathedral Christmas: Brenda BELIEVE, Mona SOUL SEARCHERS, Homeless Female SINCERELY YOUR SISTER, African Queen TAPPIN' TO HIS LOVE, and Mrs. VanWinkle I NEED AND ANGEL. Johari Players: Ms. Beluah Daniels STEAL AWAY, The Lady in Green FOR COLORED GIRLS, Clarissa RHO KAPPY EPSILON. Proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Graduate of VCU (BA Criminal Justice), Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (Theater Arts and Drama), and trained at Pennsylvania's oldest black theater located in Philadelphia, Freedom Theater. Xenia would like to thank her family, friends and three handsome sons for their continued support. ENJOY THE SHOW!
ZURI ESHUN (Mayme) Playhouse on Park debut! Tristan Bates Theatre: The Young Wife LA RONDE; The Arcola Theatre: Mimi THE WORKROOM, Theatro Tecnis. Zuri has recently completed her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting at the East 15 Acting School of London.
DAWN LOVELAND NAVARRO(Director) Selected Playhouse on Park Directing Credits: THE CHOSEN, PROOF, OLEANNA, THE TRESTLE AT POPE LICK CREEK, RED LIGHT WINTER, and numerous shows for young audiences. Other Recent Directing Credits: University of Pennsylvania: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, WHEN THERE'S MONEY THERE'S TREBLE; La Salle University: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Dawn recently directed readings for the Witherspoon Circle and Cape May Stage; and directed excerpts from THE WHO AND THE WHAT at Theatre Horizon's New Voices New Viewpoints Festival. Additional credits include directing, stage-managing, assisting directors, choreographing, and teaching. Locations include Berkshire Theatre Festival, Surflight Theatre, Atlantic City's Tropicana Casino, Florida Studio Theatre, St. Michael's Playhouse, Hebrew High School of New England, and Kingswood Oxford School. She is Playhouse on Park's Director of Institutional Giving and was their founding Director of Education. She is also the Director of Education Outreach at Theatre Horizon.
*Appears courtesy of Actors Equity, the profession union for actors and stage managers.
