Award-Winning, IntimateBERTA, BERTA Set to Streaminto Homes April 26 –June 6
Playwright Angelica Chéri’smystical and moving playBerta, Bertais next on the schedule for Everyman Theatre. Founder and Artistic Director Vincent M. Lancisi announced that Everyman Theatreis set to stream the award-winning play, directed at Everyman by Reginald L. Douglas,into homes beginning Monday, April 26through Sunday night, June 6.Berta, Berta offers a fictional account of the song of the same name, that originated on Parchman Farm at the Mississippi State Penitentiary.
Set in Meridian, Mississippi in 1923, Leroy returns to Berta’s doorstep covered in blood after committing a shocking crime. With his freedom in the balance and the clock ticking to make amends, Leroy and his long-lost lover’s quarrelsome beginning transforms into an impassioned consummation of their love. Can the inevitability of Leroy’s fate be averted? A hit from the 2018 Contemporary American Theatre Festival, this riveting fable weaves an intimate, yet epic love story.
“AngelicaChérihas written a red-hot tale of long-lost lovers reuniting for one last chance at love,” says Artistic Director Vincent Lancisi. “Her writing is on fire here and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The performances are also electric, you won’t be able to take your eyes off of these powerful performances. Berta, Berta is truly theatre of passion!”
Berta, Berta is the third mainstage production in Everyman’s reimagined 2020/21 season, featuringMyxolydiaTyler in her Everyman Theatre debut. She’s appeared on stage at regional theatres throughout the country, including locally at Signature Theatre and Baltimore Center Stage, as well as McCarter Theatre, St. Louis Rep, and Barrington Stage to name a few. She’s been seen on television in NBC’s Manifest and New Amsterdam and Showtime’s Homeland. Additionally, Tyler does voice-over work and has contributed as a teaching artist at theatres around the U.S. She is a Hermitage Artists Fellow.
Featured as Leroy is Gabriel Lawrence, who is also making his first Everyman appearance. He is an actor, educator and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, who has also been seen on stages nationwide. His stage credits include: X; or Betty Shabazz v. Nation and title roles in both Macbeth and JuliusCaesar. His television credits include: Prodigal Son, The Deuce, Mysteries of Laura and recurring parts on ABC’s What Would You Do? He also teaches Shakespeare, acting, debate and filmmaking throughout New York City.
Everyman Theatre’s Managing Director, Marissa LaRose, reflects on getting this production on stage, “Berta, Berta is a second-chance story in more ways than one – we returned to rehearse the show almost a year to the day after we paused for the pandemic. To bring such an epic story to life during a year that had all odds stacked against us is a source of both genuine pride and hope as we look to head back to live theatre.”
Tickets for Berta, Berta by AngelicaChéri are $30 per household and available online now at everymantheatre.orgor by phone at 410.752.2208. This six-week run can be streamed into homes from Monday, April 26 at noon until Sunday night, June 6 at 11:59pm. The play is recommended for audiences age 14+.
For additional information on the organization’s COVID safety plan, Frequently Asked Questions about returning to live theatre, or other classes and events, call 410.752.2208 or visit everymantheatre.org.
The 2020/21 reimagined season at Everyman Theatre is sponsored byThe Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org), The Citizens of Baltimore County, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, and the City of Baltimore Creative Baltimore Fund, P. Flanigan & Sons, and University of Maryland, Baltimore. Individual production and programming sponsors included John and Marsha Ramsay, National Endowment for the Arts, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Lee and Bea Robbins for Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains; Sandy and Mark Laken, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Lee and Bea Robbins for Berta, Berta; Susan W. Flanigan, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Lee and Bea Robbins for Cry It Out; and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Dr. Larry and Nancy Fishel for Pipeline. All digital programming is supported by grants from the Sheridan Foundation, France-Merrick Foundation, and Galanthus Foundation.
Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity theatre company celebrating the actor, with a Resident Company of Artists from the Baltimore/DC area. Founded in 1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi, the theatre is dedicated to engaging the audience through a shared experience between actor and audience seeking connection and emotional truth in performance. Everyman is committed to presenting high-quality plays that are affordable and accessible to everyone. The theatre strives to engage, inspire and transform artists, audiences, and communities through theatre of the highest artistic standards and is committed to embodying the promise of its name, Everyman Theatre. Everyman Theatre is a proud member of the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District, the Market Center Merchants Association and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. Lancisi partners with Managing Director, Marissa LaRose in leading the organization.
Everyman Theatre stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and AAPI communities and is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive atmosphere at every level of our organization. To learn more, read the full statement of solidarity on our website at https://everymantheatre.org/everyman-theatre-stands-solidarity.
