Librettist-lyricist Kushner and composer Tesori's musical drama set in 1963 Louisiana is directed by Marcela Lorca and plays the Wurtele Thrust Stage.
Jefferson Award winner Greta Oglesby heads the cast as Caroline Thibodeaux, an African-American maid in a Jewish home struggling with job, family and a changing world.
She is joined onstage by Noah Coon (Noah Gellman, at certain performances), Ryan Poehler (Noah Gellman, at certain performances), Julius Andrews IV (Joe Thibodeaux, at certain performances), Zadir King (Joe Thibodeaux, at certain performances), Michelle Barber (Grandma Gellman), Jamecia Bennett (The Washing Machine), Felicia Boswell (The Radio), Lynnea Doublette (The Radio), Aurelia Williams (The Radio), Aimee K. Bryant (The Moon), Nikki Renee Daniels (Emmie Thibodeaux), Versell Ford IV (Jackie Thibodeaux, at certain performances), Jackson M. Hurst (Jackie Thibodeaux, at certain performances), Bradley Greenwald (Stuart Gellman), Kenny Morris (Mr. Stopnick), T. Mychael Rambo (The Dryer/The Bus), Julie Reiber (Rose Stopnick Gellman), Peter Thomson (Grandpa Gellman) and Regina Marie Wililams (Dotty Moffett).
Caroline, or Change was first workshopped in May 1999 at The Public Theater, where it opened in 2003. After an Off-Broadway run it transferred to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and ran for a total of 136 performances, starring Tonya Pinkins in the title role. It was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actress, Best Score and Best Book. The musical won the Olivier Award in 2007 for Best New Musical.
Tickets are available by calling (612) 377-2224, or (877) 44-STAGE or by visiting www.guthrietheater.org. *
Rent's Michael Greif will direct the world premiere of Kushner's The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures, which begins previews May 9 on the McGuire Proscenium Stage with an official opening scheduled for May 15. The cast will feature Kathleen Chalfant, Linda Emond, Stephen Spinella and Ron Menzel.
Berkeley Rep artistic director Tony Taccone will helm tinyKUSHNER, a collection of Kushner's short plays. A cast of four Guthrie favorites – J.C. Cutler, Kate Eifrig, Jim Lichtscheidl and Valeri Mudek – will perform multiple roles. Previews begin May 16 in the Dowling Studio.
