Jenn Thompson (Off-Broadway's The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, The Memorandum) directs Stephanie Cozart, who assumes 24 roles in the complex, humane tale of "the abiding love between two families — one black, one white — that spans four generations of South Africans," according to Portland Stage notes.

The production team includes Wilson Chin (set designer), Phillip S. Rosenberg (lighting designer), Toby Jaguar Algya (sound designer), Myles C. Hatch (stage manager).

Stephanie Cozart (Elizabeth Grace and others) has performed The Syringa Tree at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Capital Repertory Theatre and Lizard Head Theatre in Telluride, CO. Off-Broadway, she played Julia in Seven Rabbits On a Pole at Urban Stages. She has appeared in 20 productions with the Denver Center Theatre Company, including Sylvia (Best Actress, Denver Drama Critics), Arcadia (Best Supporting Actress, Denver Drama Critics) Amadeus, Plainsong, King Lear, A Flea In Her Ear, Misalliance, The Miser, The Ladies of the Camellias, A Christmas Carol and others.

South African actress-writer Gien grew up under apartheid. In 1984, she moved to the United States to pursue her career as an actress. She was a principal member of the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, MA for four seasons, and has performed with numerous other regional companies. The Syringa Tree is her only published full-length play.

Opening night in Portland, ME, is May 6. For tickets and information, call (207) 774-0465 or visit www.portlandstage.org.