BWW Preview: World Premiere of ECHOES OF OCTAVIA Opens in Kansas City

The world premiere of Echoes of Octavia opens August 8 at the Just Off Broadway Theatre in Kansas City, Mo. Harvey Williams directs the Meltingpot KC production written by Kansas City playwright Michelle T. Johnson. Meltingpot KC focuses on local talent in the theater, working with local writers and performed by local talent. Williams the founder of Meltingpot KC and has appeared on stages throughout the Kansas City area.

Johnson's play is the third of the season for Meltingpot KC, in their series of works by Kansas City women. Her plays have been produced by the Barn Players, the Kansas City Fringe Festival (2014 Girl on Girl), and Potluck Productions. Her talent is showcased across the country with plays produced in New York, Philadelphia, Texas, and Connecticut. Her play Wiccans in the 'Hood was produced at the Midwinter Madness Short Play Festival in New York last year. She is the Playwright-In-Residence for Philadelphia's BrainSpunk Theater, where her play Final Arrangements is scheduled in May 2015.

A chance of a lifetime far away from family faces Zora Anderson, the main character in Echoes of Octavia. If she picks one, it closes the door on the other. Torn between loyalty and independence Zora faces emotional ghosts tugging her in different directions.

Aishah Harvey stars as Zora and has appeared in For Colored Girls, The Cover of Life, The Wizard of Oz, and Grease among others. Granville T. O'Neal plays Roscoe and has appeared in many of the metropolitan theaters in Kansas City, including his most recent appearance with The Coterie Theatre's production of Bud, Not Buddy. Other cast members include Sherri Roulette-Mosley as Nelly, Petey McGee as Milo, Alisha Espinosa as Jessie, and Donovan McClendon as Professor Lane.

Purchase tickets for Echoes of Octavia at the Meltingpot KC website. Photo courtesy of Meltingpot KC.