On behalf of Providence Players of Fairfax, Director Eleanore Tapscott is pleased to announce the cast of Playing Juliet and Casting Othello, by Caleen Sinnette Jennings.
The New Vistas Theatre Company sets out to put on Romeo and Juliet and Othello using a multi-racial cast. Wendy, the determined white director, has cast her long-time black friend, Georgia, in the role of Juliet. Tempers flare and friendships are strained when Jimmy, Georgia’s maintenance-man boyfriend, tries to prevent her from playing the role. In a later production of Othello, Jimmy, now married to the pregnant Georgia, has grown accustomed to being a stand-in for the lead in rehearsals. Despite his lack of training, Wendy thinks Jimmy could perform the role of Othello in front of an audience. The atmosphere is charged as Georgia vigorously opposes this casting. In these companion one-acts, issues of race, class, gender, politics and nontraditional casting emerge as the Bard brings out surprising fears, animosities, love and laughter in this company of players. Tickets on sale now!
CAST
(* denotes Providence Players debut)
Georgia – Aja Goode*
Jimmy – Mack Leamon*
Wendy – Dana Gattuso*
Dave – Bruce Alan Rauscher*
Chris – Ali Cheraghpour*
Lorraine – Nina-Sophia Pacheco*
Lorraine/Understudy – Tiffany Morina*
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Eleanore Tapscott is a major fan of the Bard of Avon. In addition to acting and directing, Eleanore is also the executive director of The Actor’s Center, a nonprofit providing resources to the metro-DC acting community. This summer she will be in front of the curtain for a change appearing as Dr. Caius in Endangered Species Theatre’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Recent directing credits include Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye (DP), August Wilson’s Fences (LTA) and Radio Golf (Peace Mountain Theatre), and Lynn Nottage’s By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (CP). Upcoming directing projects include Purlie Victorious (ACCT) and The Nacirema Society the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years (LTA).