The Public Theater has revealed full casting for their upcoming Off-Broadway production of Erika Dickerson-Despenza's play shadow/land, set to play April 20–May 21 and open May 4 at The Public's LuEsther Hall. The play previously ran with the Public Theatre in April 2021 as part of their digital streaming series.
The cast will include Joniece Abbott-Pratt as Ruth, Lizan Mitchell as Magalee, and Christine Shepard as Grand Marshall. Lynnette R. Freeman, Perri Gaffney, and Joy-Marie Thompson round out the company as understudies.
Shadow/land is the first installment of a 10-play cycle examining the ongoing effects of Hurricane Katrina and urban renewal in New Orleans. The story centers on Ruth, who coaxes her mother to sell the family business, Shadowland, New Orleans’ first air-conditioned dance hall and hotel for Black people, just as Hurricane Katrina begins its strike on the city.
Playwright Erika Dickerson-Despenza was the Public's 2019-2020 Tow Foundation playwright-in-residence and a Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award and Lilly Award recipient. She won the 2021 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for cullud wattah.
