Anacostia Playhouse, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Stephawn Stephens, announced its 2023 season. The centerpieces of the Playhouse’s 10th season are the DC premiere of Breakthrough by Verna Craighead Green and the Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘night, Mother by Marsha Norman.
‘night, Mother, by Marsha Norman (Secret Garden, The Color Purple), is the story of a woman driven to her breaking point. This mother-daughter drama fearlessly explores denial, silence, and despair. The show runs from April 19 – May 14, 2023.
Breakthrough, by Verna Craighead Green, is a contemporary Gospel musical about a young man who must decide between the church’s draw and the street’s draw. Will he make the right decision? The show runs from July 5 – 30, 2023.
In addition to these two main stage productions, the Playhouse’s season features the Theater After Dark, First Look, and Friday Night Live series, as well as the New Works/New Voices play festival — all celebrating this season’s theme: We are Family!
Stephawn Stephens, executive artistic director, Anacostia Playhouse, said, “The pandemic caused us to miss special occasions, opportunities to gather with our family and friends, and you, our patrons. We consider you part of our family. With the transition of leadership and re-imagining the Anacostia Playhouse is expanding its scope of programming. In the words of that popular song from Dreamgirls, ‘We are a family like a giant tree, growing stronger, growing wiser. We are growing free!’ We are bringing you thought-provoking artistic expressions that resonate with the community in which the Anacostia Playhouse thrives.”
In December, the Playhouse will seek new plays for its fourth annual New Voices New Works Play Festival. The festival will feature new 10-minute plays based on this year’s theme: “Love will make you do right/make you do wrong.” Performances will be on April 24, May 1, and May 8, 2023.
The productions of Breakthrough and ‘night, Mother are made possible with support from The DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities. For more information about the season and to buy tickets, visit anacostiaplayhouse.com.
Season Details
New Voices New Works Play Festival
April 24, May 1, and May 8, 2023
Anacostia Playhouse’s annual play festival features new and non-produced 10-minute plays for its annual new works series. Selected playwrights will have the opportunity to work with a professional director and actors to prepare their 10-minute plays for a staged reading. This year’s theme is “Love will make you do right/make you do wrong.” The Playhouse will begin accepting submissions in December.
All performances are at 7 p.m.
Ticket Price: Pay What You Can
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Drama
‘night, Mother
By Marsha Norman
April 19 – May 14, 2023
On a seemingly normal evening, we meet Thelma Cates, an aging mother and widow, who lives with her daughter, Jessie. When Jessie confesses she plans to kill herself with her father’s old revolver, the two build a bond that changes their lives forever.
Performance Times
Wednesday – Friday: 7 p.m.
Saturday: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday: 3 p.m.
Ticket Prices
$35 – $50
DC Premiere
Breakthrough
By Verna Craighead Green
July 5 – 30, 2023
Breakthrough is a contemporary Gospel musical production about a young man who must decide between the draw of the church and the draw of the streets. Pablo’s journey of misfortune and high jinks with his crew leads him down the path of self-discovery. He ultimately must face the consequence of his choices. Will he make the right decision?
Performance Times
Wednesday – Friday: 7 p.m.
Saturday: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday: 3 p.m.
Ticket Prices
$35 – $50
About Anacostia Playhouse
Founded in 2012, the Anacostia Playhouse (Playhouse) is a dedicated arts center located in the Anacostia Historic District of Washington, D.C. The Playhouse’s mission is to bring arts performances, exhibits, and instruction to the Anacostia community, and to provide a venue for local artists to perform and display their work. For more information about Anacostia Playhouse, visit anacostiaplayhouse.com/.
