Boston's The Huntington inaugurates its newly renovated theatre with a revival of August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, beginning October 14. Lili-Anne Brown directs the new production, which runs through November 13. A filmed performance will also be available through November 27.
Starring in the cast are Maurice Emmanuel Parent as Seth Holly, Shannon Lamb as Bertha Holly, Robert Cornelius as Bynum Walker, Lewis D. Wheeler as Rutherford Selig, Stewart Evan Smith as Jeremy Furlow, James Ricardo Milord as Herald Loomis, Al-nisa Petty as Mattie Campbell, Dela Meskienyar as Molly Cunningham, and Patrese D. McClain as Martha Pentecost. Alternating in the role of Zonia Loomis are Gray Flaherty and Alana Ross, while Eli Lapaix and Joshua Mckenna alternate in the role of Reuben Mercer. Kadahj Bennett, Kelsey Fonise, David Kelly, Melanie Loren, and Damon Singletary serve as understudies.
Director Lili-Anne Brown said her approach is to “be reverent and uplift this work, but also approach it with fresh eyes,” in an earlier statement. “Some of these characters are one generation out from slavery. They are all asking, where is home, how does one find it, and find oneself.”
Set in a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911, the play explores themes of resurrection and self-discovery as Herald Loomis searches for his lost wife at the beginning of the Great Migration.
The creative team includes scenic designer Arnel Sancianco, lighting designer Jason Lynch, costume designer Samantha C. Jones, sound designer Aubrey Dube, hair, wig, and makeup designer Earon D. Nealey, dramaturg Sandy Alexandre, fight choreographer Ted Hewlettis, music consultant Jermaine Hill, movement consultant Kurt Douglas, intimacy consultant Gregory Geffrard, and young person coordinator Carla McDonough. The production stage manager is Emily F. McMullen with Ashley Pitchford as stage manager.
The newly renovated theatre honors the playwright with the naming of the August Wilson Lobby. Tony-nominated costume designer Constanza Romero, who is also Wilson's widow, will unveil the plaque honoring Wilson at the opening night of the run.
Joe Turner's Come and Gone was the first Wilson play to be produced at The Huntington, igniting a longtime collaboration until his 2005 passing. In partnership with Yale Repertory Theatre, The Huntington presented the 1986 pre-Broadway run of Joe Turner's Come and Gone starring Angela Bassett and Delroy Lindo.
For tickets and more information, HuntingtonTheatre.org.
