By amina henry
with direction by sarah norris
part of the flea theater's anchor program
running june 7 - june 29, 2019
the flea theater @ 20 thomas street
A witty, delightful exploration of art and identity...The Great Novel is a great time.”
- John R. Ziegler & Leah Richards, Thinking Theater
The animated Nikki E. Walker is a delightful Bertha. Michael Aguirre is appealingly angst-ridden as Saul. MaryKathryn Kopp and Tabatha Gayle are both suitably childish as Charlotte and Anne. Oghenero Gbaje offers a slyly charming characterization of Potter. Joshua Bermudez grandly enacts the role of Dick the father. Madeline McCray is a feisty Granny.”
Darryl Reilly
TheaterScene.net
Its steadily driving pace keeps it engaging, and the characters are skillfully acted.”
Gillian Russo
Plays To See
Provocative.”
Hayley Levitt
TheaterMania
I just want to give a shout out to New Light Theater Project. You never disappoint and put on the best plays possible.”
Eva Heinemann
HiDrama
Photos by Hunter Canning / @huntercanning
Check out the Hollywood Soapbox interview with playwright Amina Henry about her writing influences for The Great Novel
meETcreatives
Nikki E. Walker* as Bertha
Madeline McCray* as Granny
Joshua Bermudez* as Dick Brennan
Michael Aguirre † as Saul Brennan
MaryKathryn Kopp † as Charlotte Brennan
Tabatha Gayle* as Anne Brennan
Oghenero Gbaje as Potter
† indicates NLTP company member - click on name for more info
* indicates member of Actors Equity Association
Written by Amina Henry
Directed by Sarah Norris †
Scenic Design by An-lin Dauber
Costume Design by Mari Taylor
Lighting Design by Christina Tang
Sound Design by Carsen Joenk
Prop Design by Leila Ben-Abdallah †
Stage Management by Daricel Calcano*
Assistant Stage Management by Samantha Walsh
Casting by Gama Valle, Harriet Bass Casting
Assistant Director Alyssa May Gold
Line Producing by Kyle Metzger
Technical Direction by ToniAnne DiFilippo †
Press Representation by Karen Greco
† indicates NLTP company member - click on name for more info
* indicates member of Actors Equity Association
The Great Novel is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and administered by LMCC. LMCC empowers artists by providing them with networks, resources, and support, to create vibrant, sustainable communities in Manhattan and beyond.
The Great Novel Cast + Creative + Production Team
For most of her adult life, Bertha has served as the Brennans’ housekeeper. While polishing the silverware and washing the windows, she dreams of honoring the promise she made to her Jamaican grandmother long ago to write the next great American novel. But as she drafts her story, she can only see the imprints of the Brontë sisters, Dickens, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and most of all, the Brennans. Spurred on by recurring visits from her Granny in the afterlife, Bertha seeks a new language for a narrative that only she can tell, uninhibited by the ghosts of literary convention.
