The encore run of The Public Theater's world premiere production of Suzan-Lori Parks' Plays for the Plague Year officially opens at Joe's Pub April 18 after beginning previews April 5. The run will continue through April 30.
Parks reprises her performance as The Writer, and director Niegel Smith is also back to helm and choreograph. The work, the culmination of Parks' project writing a play a day throughout the COVID shutdown, made its world premiere at Joe's Pub last year, a run that was cut short by COVID-related cancellations.
The encore run also features returning company members Leland Fowler, Danyel Fulton, Greg Keller, Orville Mendoza, Lauren Molina, and Martín Solâ, along with newcomer Rona Figueroa. Rounding out the company as understudies are Edward Astor Chin, Joe Osheroff, Danea Osseni, and Nathan M. Ramsey.
The production features scenic and projection design by Peter Nigrini, costume design by Rodrigo Muñoz, lighting design by Ania Washington, and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier. Ric Molina is music director, and has supplied vocal and instrumental arrangements. Buzz Cohen is production stage manager.
The Public is also hosting the world premiere of Parks' musical adaptation of the film The Harder They Come, playing the Newman Theatre through April 9. Parks is a Pulitzer winner for her 2001 play Topdog/Underdog, which recently played a 20th anniversary Broadway revival directed by Kenny Leon. Her other works include Betting on the Dust Commander, Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3, and Sally & Tom.
Visit PublicTheater.org.
See photos from the work's 2022 run:
The Cast of Plays for the Plague Year
Suzan-Lori Parks
The Cast of Plays for the Plague Year
Leland Fowler and Suzan-Lori Parks
The Cast of Plays for the Plague Year
Suzan-Lori Parks, Leland Fowler, and Greg Keller
Lauren Molina
Danyel Fulton
MartÃn Solá
Orville Mendoza
Rona Figueroa
Suzan-Lori Parks
The Cast of Plays for the Plague Year
