Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine is getting a NYC revival via Brooklyn's Billie Holiday Theatre, which is launching its 2024 season with the work. Previews will begin April 11 ahead of an April 18 opening night, with the run continuing through May 19.
Felicia Curry (Into the Woods) will lead the cast as Undine through May 6, with Kedren Spencer taking over the role for the final two weeks of the run. The cast will also include Stephanie Pope (In the Heights) as Mother, Evander Duck Jr. (Blue Bloods) as Father, Sharon Hope (Orange is the New Black) as Grandma, Mariyea (Drag Me to Joanne's) as Stephie, Roland Lane (Iris) as Flow, Tito Livas (Shine a Light) as Hervé, and Blake Russell (Take Me Out) as Accountant. Understudies Tomike Ogugua and Kimberlee Walker (Where You Come From) will round out the company. Casting is by Sujotta Pace.
The play, which premiered at Playwrights Horizons in 2004, follows a successful Black publicist forced to return to the life she left behind after her husband runs off with all her money.
“Fabulation is set in Brooklyn, and I’m beyond thrilled to be sharing the play with my hometown audience," says Nottage in a statement. "The very first theatre I ever experienced was at the Billie Holiday, and so this is definitely a full circle moment for me."
Martavius Parrish is directing the new staging, which will feature scenic design by Rodrigo Escalante, lighting design by Amara McNeil, costume design by Christopher Vergara, sound design by Germán Martinez, wig and make-up design by Nikiya Mathis, movement by Karen Thornton, and dramaturgy by Miranda Holliday. Shiku Thuo will be production stage manager with Cello Blanks as assistant stage manager.
“What a pleasure it is to be telling a story about this community within this community," adds Parrish. "As such, the authenticity and humanity of the characters married to the deliciously brilliant duality of truth and humor in Lynn’s text has informed every aspect of the show. I’m excited for New York to be re-introduced to Fabulation, but I’m particularly ecstatic for this community to see themselves reflected on stage in such powerful work."
Tickets are available at TheBillieHoliday.org.
