Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm
Saturday at 3pm
Sunday at 2pm and 7pm
The Brave Spirits repertory continues the 2016-2017 season’s theme of dangerous love, with two couples defying the greatest of all taboos: the fact that they are brother and sister. In both plays, incestuous passion threatens to overcome reason, but to very different results. BST is excited to pair Ford’s gruesome tragedy with Beaumont and Fletcher’s rarely performed tragicomedy. Recommended for ages 13 and above.
The Lab at Convergence
1819 N. Quaker Lane Alexandria, VA 22302
2 hours and 20 minutes, including intermission
Cast
Jenna Berk Annabella Danny Cackley Giovanni Gary DuBreuil Richardetto Rebecca Ellis Hippolita
Erik Harrison Friar / Grimaldi Lisa Hill-Corley Donada Brendan Kennedy Bergetto / the Cardinal Briana Manente Vasquez
Darren Marquardt Florio Ian Blackwell Rogers Soranzo Alison Talvacchio Poggio Kathryn Zoerb Putana / Philotis
Production Team
Charleme V. Smith Director Jason Aufdem-Brinke Lighting Designer Casey Kaleba Fight Director
Claire Kimball Dramaturg Zach Roberts Music Director
Leila Spolter Set Designer Adalia Tonneyck Costume Designer
Brimming with sensationalistic material — with plotlines that touch not only on incest, but also conspiracies, betrayals, disguises, political corruption and shocking violence — the plays are striking and suspenseful.
Celia Wren, The Washington Post
Brave Spirits’ staging is my third exposure to ‘Tis Pity and the first I fully appreciated. Smith, the company’s producing artistic director, embraces the hyperdramatic nature of Ford’s script and gets the whole company to play the characters’ emotions broadly while maintaining disciplined gestures and movement. In this staging, we see how Ford, working today, would be doing a reboot of “Dallas” or “Dynasty” for Starz utilizing all the in-your-face sex and blood he could muster.
Eric Minton, Shakespeareances.com
Between the talent of the creative team and the acting strength of the cast, this is one stellar production. The rich and poetic language is beautifully spoken and carries the audience through this tragic tale of doomed love, vengeance, and duplicity. Steel your heart and go see this production.
Kendall Mostafavi, DC Metro Theater Arts
If you have not relished in Ford’s poetic diction, austere beauty, and unbridled human passions, Brave Spirits Theatre offers a superb introduction with this production.
Jeffrey Walker, DC Theatre Scene
‘Tis Pity is a highlight of Jacobean theater, and right up Brave Spirits’ alley. It’s well-paced, solidly performed, and a feast for the eyes — and adrenal glands.
Joshua Engel, Theatre Bloom
Though not for the faint of heart, this production excels in underlining the perverse enjoyment to be had from the revenge tragedy genre; these plays are at their most delightful when characters conspire and connive. With its extraordinary cast, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore will give audiences a wicked good time.
