THE HOMEFRONT

Music & Lyrics by Sam Salmond
Book by Malika Oyetimein and Jenny Stafford

Directed by Malika Oyetimein
Music Direction by Jason Hansen

Presentations:
Friday, July 25 at 4:00pm
Monday, July 28 at 7:30pm

When World War II comes to a close and the men return home, the women are immediately fired from their jobs at the factory. Two best friends—one black and one white—lead a movement to fight for the jobs of their fellow female workers. But when their progressive ideals fall short and it becomes clear that the black women and the white women will no longer have the same opportunities in this post-war world, they have to decide what – and who – they are willing to give up in the fight, and what happens when loved ones get caught in the crossfire.  

The cast for The Homefront includes Nubia Monks (The Color Purple), Serena Brook (Falsettos), Carnetha Anthony (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Color Purple), Nambi Mwassa (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Color Purple), Tom Reed (Scotland, PA, Stones in His Pockets), Riley McNutt (Passion, Next to Normal), Kate Beahen (Into the Woods), Sara Masterson (Fun Home), Laura Rudolph (Latté Da Debut), Regina Marie Williams (Hello, Dolly!, Bernarda Alba), Essence Renae (Latté Da Debut) and Em Adam Rosenberg (Latté Da Debut).

HOW TO PLAY THE CELLO (UNTIL YOU DON’T)

Book, Music & Lyrics by Benjamin Emory Larson

Directed by Scott Ford
Music Direction by Christine Wade and Harrison Wade

Presentations:
Friday, August 1 at 4:00pm
Monday, August 4 at 7:30pm

How to Play the Cello (Until You Don’t) is loosely based on the life of Jacqueline Du Pré, one of the greatest cellists of all time, whose career was cut short in her 30s by Multiple Sclerosis. Through original songs and reimagined classical pieces Jackie guides us on the explosive journey of her life. She discovers the cello for the first time, falls in love with it, finds out she’s “talented,” becomes obsessed with greatness, conquers the world, falls ill, loses her ability to play, and ultimately has to face the question: what is an artist who can’t make art anymore?

The cast includes Anna Beth Baker (Latté Da Debut) in the featured role of Jacqueline De Pré, with Jacqueline Ultan on cello (composer and featured musician for Latte Da’s 2019 world premiere To Let Go and Fall).

OKUNI

Book by Naomi Iizuka & Paul Hodge
Lyrics by Paul Hodge & Naomi Iizuka
Music by Paul Hodge

Directed by Lisa Portes
Music Direction by Andy Kust

Presentations:
Friday, August 8 at 4:00pm
Monday, August 11 at 7:30pm

Okuni tells the story of the enigmatic woman from 16th century Japan who created Kabuki and has since been forgotten by history. The pop culture sensation of her day, Okuni went from performing for outcasts in the dry riverbeds of Kyoto to performing for the shogun himself. Challenging conventions of polite society and shining a light on the hypocrisies of the ruling class, her shows were as politically dangerous as they were erotic. Okuni asks what it means to be a woman in a man's world, and what it means to make art when the world is burning.

The cast includes Meghan Kreidler (Man of la Mancha, Bernarda Alba, Twin Cities band Kiss the Tiger) in the title role of Okuni, Anna Hashizume (Johnny Skeeky, Hello, Dolly!), Emma Schuld (Fun Home), Suzie Juul (NEXT Festival), Stephanie Anne Bertumen (Bernarda Alba), Greg Watanabe (Latté Da Debut; Allegiance on Broadway), Ryan Sellers (Latté Da Debut) and Kelvin Moon Loh (Latté Da Debut; Beetlejuice, The King and I, Sideshow on Broadway).

With gratitude to our Producing Partners Linda Svitak and David Feroe

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