Playwrights Horizons has announced the cast and creative team for its world premiere production of Corsicana by Pulitzer finalist Will Arbery. The new play will begin previews June 2, open June 22, and run through July 10.
The cast will star Jamie Brewer (Amy and the Orphans) as Ginny, Will Dagger (The Antelope Party) as Christopher, Deirdre O'Connell (Dana H.) as Justice, and Harold Surratt (Familiar) as Lot.
Corsicana takes place in a small city in Texas of the same name and follows siblings Ginny, a woman with Down syndrome, and Christopher, her half-brother, in the wake of their mother's death as close family friend Justice brings them together with Lot, an artist and outsider to the local community. Tony winner Sam Gold will direct the production about care-taking, care-giving, and creating new families in the Mainstage Theater.
Arbery has dedicated the character of Ginny to his older sister Julia, who has Down syndrome. The work also includes a character based on Arbery himself, a first for the playwright. “The play was born out of being a brother to Julia, and seeing the ways that she had to constantly renegotiate her desires and her expressions of them because the world doesn’t treat her the same as everyone else," said Arbery in a statement. "Very universal wants of companionship and romantic love become so much more complicated for her. She’s been such a teacher to me in that regard, and she’s modeled an incredible resilience for me her entire life.”
Gold, in a statement, said, "Will has created a delicate, uncanny world with this play, populated with four deep, gentle, generous souls. It will be a pleasure to help bring that world and those characters to life.”
The creative team includes scenic designer Laura Jellinek, costume designer Qween Jean, lighting designer Isabella Byrd, sound designer Justin Ellington, and composer Joanna Sternberg.
For tickets and more information, visit PlaywrightsHorizons.org.
