N.J. Premiere of RED VELVET at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is proud to present the New Jersey premiere of British playwright Lolita Chakrabarti's multi-award-winning play, Red Velvet. Performances begin September 7 and continue throughSeptember 25 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or going online at shakespearenj.org.

Set in the mid-1800s, Red Velvet is the fascinating true-life story of Ira Aldridge, an African-American actor and the first black man to appear as Othello on the London stage. When the famous Edmund Kean collapses on stage while playing Othello, the young black actor is asked to step into the role. Red Velvet examines the public's reactions to this groundbreaking moment in history that took place amidst the start of the abolitionist movement. Red Velvet not only celebrates the life of this little known American artist, but it sheds light on his immense influence on the stylistic "revolution" that occurred in the world of theatre in the late 1800s, and it examines the power of art to sustain an artist through daunting circumstances. Director Bonnie J. Monte brings this compelling and true tale to life with veteran actors Lindsay Smiling and Victoria Mackin the leading roles. Mr. Smiling and Ms. Mack last appeared together in Ms. Monte's 2011 production of Othello. Now, they will share the stage again portraying the real life actors Ira Aldridge and Ellen Tree, who play Othello and Desdemona respectively in Red Velvet.

Written in 2012, Red Velvet premiered at the Tricycle Theatre in London. During its run, Ms. Chakrabarti received the London Critics Circle Award for "Most Promising Playwright," as well as the WhatsonStage Awards for "London Newcomer of the Year" and "Best New Play." It has since been performed at The Garrick Theatre in London and St. Ann's Warehouse in New York.

Lindsay Smiling returns for his fifth season to play the great actor Ira Aldridge. Recent company credits include The Learned Ladies, Measure for Measure, Othello andThe Winter's Tale. His recent credits include The Hard Problem (Wilma), Metamorphosis(Arden Theatre Co.), Hillary and Clinton (Philadelphia Theatre Co.), and Peter and the Starcatcher (The Walnut Street Theater). Mr. Smiling has performed Off-Broadway and at numerous regional theatres including: Syracuse Stage, People's Light and Theatre Co., Pittsburgh Public, Two River Theatre, and ACT.

Victoria Mack, who returns for her ninth season, will play the role of Ellen Tree. Her company credits include The Guardsman, Othello, The Taming of the Shrew, King Lear, Pride and Prejudice, As You Like It, Love's Labour's Lost, Of Mice and Men, andPygmalion. Ms. Mack has appeared both on Broadway and Off-Broadway in Venus in Fur, Happy Birthday (TACT), The Silver Cord (Peccadillo Theatre Co.), and Flight(Lucille Lortel).

David Foubert plays Pierre Laporte. Now in his ninth season with The Shakespeare Theatre, he was last seen at STNJ in Henry VIII and has also appeared inAround the World in Eighty Days, The Winter's Tale, The Merry Wives of Windsor, andLove's Labour's Lost among many others. His film and television credits include All My Children, Shakespeare on Security (AT&T), and The Hacking Chronicles (AT&T).

David Andrew Macdonald returns for his seventh season in the role of Charles Kean. He has performed at The Theatre in The Merry Wives of Windsor, A Christmas Carol,Pride and Prejudice, Julius Caesar, and Arms and the Man, among many others. Mr. Macdonald has appeared on Broadway in Skylight, Rocky, Mamma Mia!, Coram Boy, and Two Shakespearean Actors.
John Little will play Terence/Bernard Warde as he returns for his eighth season with The Shakespeare Theatre. Company credits include The Devil's Disciple, A Most Dangerous Woman, Oliver Twist, The Grapes of Wrath, and Amadeus. His recent credits include the national tour of Cabaret (Roundabout Theatre Company), My Fair Lady(Pittsburgh Public Theatre), and Annie (Pioneer Theatre). He has also toured Europe inCrazy For You, A Christmas Carol, and Harold Maude, as well as Japan and Korea inCabaret.

In her Shakespeare Theatre debut, Shannon Harris will play Connie. She was last seen in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), the inaugural production of the new Southampton based theatre company Purpled Pheasant Productions. She has also appeared in In Darfur (WAM Theatre), The Winter's Tale(Actors Shakespeare Company), and Fortune (June Havoc Theatre). Now in her second season with The Shakespeare Theatre, Sofia Jean Gomezwill play the role of Halina Wozniak/Margaret Aldridge. She was last seen at the Theatre in The Time of Your Life. Her Off-Broadway credits include Angels in America: Parts 1 & 2 (Signature Theatre Company; Lucille Lortel Best Ensemble) and Would You Still (New Worlds Stages; directed by Kathleen Turner). Ms. Gomez has also performed with The Shakespeare Theatre in D.C. in The Tempest (Best performance of 2014 D.C. Metro),Argonautika (Helen Hayes Nominee Best Supporting Actress). Rounding out the cast are Savannah Desourmeaux and Garrett Lawson.

Bonnie J. Monte is in her twenty-sixth season with the Theatre, most recently directing Exit the King, last season's The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Guardsman. Ms. Monte serves as the Artistic Director at the Shakespeare Theatre; under her leadership, the Theatre has evolved into one of the most respected classical theatres in the nation. She has directed over 60 acclaimed productions for the company during her tenure.

the show's visual elements will be brought to life through the work of set designerBethanie Wampol, lighting designer Burke Wilmore, and costume designer Paul Canada. Serving as production stage manager is Denise Cardarelli.

Single tickets for Red Velvet start as low as $25 for preview performances and $32 for regular performances. Prices range from $25 - $75. This season, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is initiating their 30 UNDER 30 Program, which offers $30 tickets for patrons aged 30 and under, with valid ID, tickets subject to availability. For tickets, call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

For the same price as a regular ticket, the Symposium Series performances offer a post-show discussion with the cast and artistic staff. For Red Velvet, the symposia will be held on Saturday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 24 at 2:00 p.m.

The Know the Show pre-show talks are offered again in 2016 free-of-cost. Prior to the show, an artist from The Shakespeare Theatre presents a pre-performance talk providing background information and an inside perspective on the production. This program is free with the purchase of a performance ticket, and for Red Velvet will be held Thursday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m., with the show commencing at 8:00 p.m. Ms. Monte will present this talk.

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