DCPA Theatre Co Names Cast and Creative of LAST NIGHT AND THE NIGHT BEFORE and THE WHISTLEBLOWER

The Denver Center Theatre Company is proud to announce full casting and creative team for the world premieres of Donnetta Lavinia Grays' Last Night and the Night Before and Itamar Moses' The Whistleblower.

"Last Night and the Night Before is another testament to the amazing works that have come out of the Colorado New Play Summit," said Artistic Director Chris Coleman. "Donnetta Lavinia Grays is an incredibly special writer and she has written a story that is beautiful and deeply human. I'm thrilled that we get to be the first to produce it."

Last Night and the Night Beforewill feature Erin Cherry (The Siblings Play, Cherry Lane Theatre) as Nadima, Sharod Choyce (Rutgers University MFA) as Reggie, Bianca LaVerne Jones (Ocean's Eight) as Rachel, Zaria Kelley (upcoming feature film Bad Hair) as Samand Keona Welch (Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London) as Monique.

The production, led by director Valerie Curtis-Newton will include designs by Matthew Smucker (Scenic Designer), Melanie Burgess (Costume Designer), Mary Louise Geiger (Lighting Designer), Larry D. Fowler, Jr. (Sound Designer), Dwight Bacquie (Voice and Dialect), Jacqueline E. Lawton (Dramaturg), Harriet Bass, CSA and Grady Soapes, CSA (Casting), and stage management byRandall Lum (Stage Manager), Kristen O'Connor (Assistant Stage Manager), Wayne Breyer (Apprentice Stage Manager).

WORLD PREMIERE

Last Night and the Night Before

By Donnetta Lavinia Grays

Directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton

Jan 18 - Feb 24 (Opens Jan 25) | Ricketson Theatre

When Monique and her 10-year-old daughter Samantha show up unexpectedly on her sister's Brooklyn doorstep, it shakes up Rachel and her partner Nadima's orderly New York lifestyle in this poetic, powerful and remarkably touching drama. Monique is on the run from deep trouble and brings their family's Southern roots with her, grabbing hold of Rachel's life more ferociously than she could have ever imagined.

This 2017 Colorado New Play Summit featured play explores the struggle between the responsibilities that are expected of us and the choices we actually end up making.

WORLD PREMIERE

The Whistleblower

By Itamar Moses

Directed by Oliver Butler

Feb 8 - Mar 10 (Opens Feb 15) | Space Theatre

A World Premiere play by Itamar Moses, author of The Band's Visit, which received ten 2018 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

For screenwriter Eli, an offer to finally create his own TV show should be the ultimate culmination of his goals, but instead shocks him into wondering why he had those dreams in the first place. Armed with a new sense of spiritual clarity, he sets out on a quest to serve up some hard truths to his coworkers, family, exes and friends. What could possibly go wrong? A lively world premiere about the lies we tell to protect ourselves and how the tiniest gestures can have deep impact on those around us.

"Itamar Moses is an absolutely brilliant playwright and an exciting voice to have on the season," said Coleman. "This play is hilarious, thought provoking and really kind of a spiritual journey. I read it and was absolutely knocked out. In The Whistleblower, Itamar takes us on a humorous exploration of our purpose and whether our actions have the power to affect others. I'm incredibly honored to produce it as a world premiere."

The Whistleblowerwill feature Ben Beckley (Peter and the Starcatcher, first national tour)as Max, Bill Christ (Born Yesterdayon Broadway; 12 seasons with the DCPA) as Richard/Joseph, Meredith Forlenza (Noises Off, Roundabout Theatre Company) as Allison/Lisa, Karl Miller ("Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," and The Liquid Plan, Signature Theatre) as Eli, Leslie O'Carroll (Pride and Prejudice, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company;22 Seasons at the DCPA) as Hannah, Allison Jean White ("The Blacklist") as Sophie/Rebecca/Eleanor, and Landon G. Woodson (Intimate Apparel, Sierra Repertory Theatre) as Dan/Jed.

The production, led by director Oliver Butler (What the Constitution Means to Me?, New York Theatre Workshop; Thom Pan, Signature Theatre)will include designs by Lisa Orzolek (Scenic Designer), Jessica Pabst (Costume Designer), Mark Barton (Lighting Designer), Jorge Cousineau (Sound Designer), Geoffrey Kent (Fight Director), Harriet Bass, CSA and Grady Soapes, CSA (Casting), and stage management by Heidi Echtenkamp (Stage Manager), D. Lynn Reiland (Assistant Stage Manager), and Danielle Keller (Apprentice Stage Manager).

Tickets for both productions start at $30 and may be purchased at denvercenter.org, 303-893-4100 or in person in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex at 14thand Curtis.

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