The Off-Broadway revival of Suzan-Lori Parks’ In the Blood, originally produced by the Public Theater and a finalist for the 2000 Pulitzer Prize, officially opened September 17 at the Signature Theatre. The play is the second of Parks’ Red Letter Plays now running at the Signature, following the official opening of Fucking A on September 11.
In both plays, Pulitzer Prize winner Parks re-imagines the character of Hester from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel The Scarlet Letter. In the Blood introduces us to Hester La Negrita, played by Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Saycon Sengbloh, a penniless mother of five condemned by the men who love her.
In the Blood is directed by Sarah Benson. The Signature revival began previews August 29 in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre and has been extended to play through October 15.The cast is completed by Lortel Award nominee Jocelyn Bioh (Everybody), Michael Braun (Everybody), Obie Award winner Russell G. Jones (Father Comes Home From the Wars), Ana Reeder (When It’s You), and Tony Award winner Frank Wood (Angels in America).
Read what critics thought of the Off-Broadway production:
New York Magazine / Vulture (Sara Holdren)
The New York Times (Ben Brantley)
Time Out New York (Raven Snook)
Flip through production photos as well as highlights from the opening night celebrations:
In Fucking A, revered and reviled local abortionist Hester Smith formulates a plan to free her jailed son. Directed by Obie Award winner Jo Bonney, Fucking A began previews August 22 in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre and is scheduled to play through October 8.
To purchase tickets to the Red Letter Plays, visit SignatureTheatre.org.
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