Ginna LeVine, Julius Thomas III, Ana Harada
and Jillian Gottlieb. (Photo: Josh Lerher)
The year is 1620: Native Americans are enjoying a gluten-free, low-carb, artisanally happy life when they are invaded by the nation’s first immigrants — Pilgrims! There goes the neighborhood…but in the tradition of all musical comedies, love wins!
The world premiere production of the new musical comedy “The New World” at Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) in New Hope offers a fresh take on the legendary first meeting of Pilgrims and Native Americans. Performances begin Nov. 7 and run through Dec. 2.
“We’re thrilled to present this original musical comedy,” said Executive Producer Robyn Goodman in a press release. “Our talented creative team has re-imagined an important moment in history when love and food brought disparate cultures together and created the great melting pot we call ‘America’ today.”
The cast includes a mix of Broadway veterans and newcomers led by Ann Harada (“Avenue Q” and “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella”) as Chief Massasoit, and featuring Julius Thomas III (Broadway’s “The Scottsboro Boys,” “Motown the Musical”) as Squanto, Jillian Gottlieb (Theater Under the Stars “Into the Woods” and “The Golden Bride” Off-Broadway) as Susanna Standish, and Jennifer Perry (Broadway’s “Kinky Boots” and “Mamma Mia!”) as Joan.
The cast also features Ginna Le Vine (“Picnic” Off-Broadway). Le Vine is the grand-niece of Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly, who made her professional stage debut in 1949 at Bucks County Playhouse, where she was a member of its famed apprentice program. She is joined by Clyde Alves (Broadway’s “On the Town,” “Bullets Over Broadway”) as Tago, Eddie Cooper (Encores “Assassins” and “Little Shop of Horrors”) as Miles Standish, Ann Sanders (Disney’s “Frozen” and Broadway’s “The King and I”) as Mrs. Corn, Rod Singleton (Ogunquit Playhouse’s “Ragtime”) as Colonel Corn and Tyler Maynard (Broadway’s “The Little Mermaid” and “Altar Boyz” Off-Broadway) as Carl.
Adena Ershow, Yael Rizowy, Kiet Tai Cao, Danny Bevins, Brandon Weber and Annelise Cepero round out the ensemble.
BCP Artistic Associate Anna Louizos (Broadway’s “School of Rock” and BCP’s “Guys and Dolls”) is Scenic Designer. Jen Caprio is Costume Designer and J. Jared Janas is Wig, Hair and Makeup Designer. Kirk Bookman is lighting designer and Joshua D. Reid is sound designer. Musical Director is Paul Masse. Orchestrations are by Danny Troob with dance arrangements are by Sam Davis. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting.
“The New World” includes a book by Regina DeCicco and L.F. Turner, music by Gary Adler (“Altar Boyz”) and lyrics by Phoebe Kreutz. Stafford Arima (Broadway’s “Allegiance” and newly appointed Artistic Director of Theater Calgary) will direct with choreography by BCP Artistic Associate Lorin Latarro (“Waitress”).
“The New World” is the third of four world premiere productions presented at BCP this year. The year will end with a new comedy by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Playhouse Christmas Show,” which resets Dickens’ classic tale “A Christmas Carol” in New Hope.
Tickets to “The New World” are on sale now online, and range from $40 to $75. BCP is located at 70 South Main St. in New Hope.
Silencing Native voices in the New Hope Free Press by removing our comments is a typical colonizer tactic.
Donna, nothing’s been removed…it does take time for comments to be approved around the holidays, though. Thanks for your patience.
Charlie
Wondering why the New Hope Free Press removed my previous comments . So much for free press when your comments are stifled.
There is nothing humorous about a play that further perpetrates the pilgrim’s myth of the “Thanksgiving” – a holiday that was born from the extermination and exploitation of Native populations. Although the writer’s intention was to unify people, even going so far as to make a mockery of every social group included in the production and including a “multicultural” cast, our community finds the depiction and the rewritten historical accounts of our people reprehensible and not acceptable
“The New World'” is a racist depiction of the genocide of Native Americans in our country. The play was written about Native Americans without consultation or consent from the Native community. Additionally, there was neither Native involvement in the production and development nor any Native actors cast in the show. “The New World” is filled with disparaging depictions of Native people, blatant stereotyping, and misappropriation of Native culture.