The Off-Broadway world premiere of Neena Beber's A Mother, a new take on Bertolt Brecht's The Mother co-conceived by Beber and Jessica Hecht (Eureka Day), is underway at Baryshnikov Arts, with opening night set for April 7 and the run continuing through April 13. Get a first look at the show with newly released production shots in the gallery below.
Hecht stars in the new work, described in press notes as "part documentary, part autobiography, part disco." The play shifts the Brecht story to take place during the 1980 Miami race riots, which followed the murder of Arthur Lee McDuffie by police. The company also includes Fergie Philippe, Zane Pais, Portia Johnson, and Delilah Napier.
See production photos in the gallery below.
Maria Mileaf directs the production, with choreography by Shura Baryshnikov. The performance also has music, with audiences told to expect disco, gospel, reggae, and Jewish music. Music director Mustapha Khan leads the band, which features William Kenneth Vaughan and Norman Burns. The trio has also written the work's score.
The production features scenic design by Neil Patel, costume design by Katherine Roth, and lighting design by Matthew Richards. The work is being produced in partnership with Lana Russell and Susan Kaplan and in association with The Orchard Project.
Tickets are available at BaryshnikovArts.org.
