Expatriate Opens Off-Broadway at the Culture Project July 16

By Andrew Gans
and Adam Hetrick
16 Jul 2008

Karla Mosley and Lenelle Moïse
Karla Mosley and Lenelle Moïse
Photo by Vanessa Vargas

Lenelle Moïse's Expatriate, which concerns the journey of two women seeking artistic and personal freedom abroad, officially opens at the Culture Project July 16.

The open-ended engagement, starring Moïse and Karla Mosley, began previews July 7. Tamilla Woodard directs with choreography by Nicco Annan.

Expatriate, which incorporates original songs, is described as an exploration of "black womanhood, friendship, sexuality and freedom." The production "tells the story of Claudie (Moïse) and Alphine (Mosley), two sophisticated and sexy African-American performing artists and longtime sister-friends. Disillusioned by grief, homophobia and the black glass ceiling, they flee to Europe to heal and realize their starved American dreams. In Paris, they support themselves by singing and dancing on the street and quickly rise to infamy and fortune. But as Claudie and Alphine soon discover, stardom comes at a high price."

Expatriate made its world premiere April 8 as part of the Culture Project's Women Center Stage Festival.

Moïse is the author of Matermorphosis, Little Griot, The Many Faces of Nia and Spilling Venus. She also appeared in the Culture Project staging of Rebel Voices.

Mosley was seen as Deena Jones in the TUTS staging of Dreamgirls. Her stage credits also include Max & Ruby, Drift and Museum Pieces. On screen she has been seen in "Hi-5," "Gossip Girl," "Knights of Prosperity" and "Burn After Reading."

Tickets for Expatriate are available by calling (212) 352-3101 or by visiting www.cultureproject.org.

The Culture Project is located in Manhattan at 55 Mercer Street.