"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
The Great Novel Team
MEET THE ARTISTS
Click here to read the bios of our cast, creative + production teams.
Bertha - Nikki E. Walker *
Dick Brennan - Joshua Bermudez *
Saul Brennan - Michael Aguirre †
Charlotte Brennan - MaryKathryn Kopp †
Anne Brennan - Tabatha Gayle *†
Potter - Oghenero Gbaje
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
* 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.
About the Play
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.
June 7 - 29, 2019
The Flea Theater
Part of The Flea Theater's Anchor Program