On The Grounds of Belonging at Long Wharf Theatre

DIGNITY, ALWAYS DIGNITY, JELLY'S LAST JAM Concert & More Announced for Long Wharf Theatre 2022/2023 Season

Long Wharf Theatre yesterday announced the launch of its 2022/2023 season, “Everywhere for Everyone.” Under its new model, audiences will see programming radiating out from the institution's storied home at 222 Sargent Drive and into communities across Greater New Haven.

Long Wharf Theatre Has Announced the Inaugural Class of New Commissioning Program

Long Wharf Theatre (Jacob G. Padrón, Artistic Director; Kit Ingui, Managing Director) has announced the inaugural class of artists for the new Long Wharf commissioning program. With the support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Lord/Kubler Fund for New Work, Long Wharf Theatre has established an Artistic Opportunity Fund to commission and develop new plays that represent the kaleidoscope of the human experience, building a new American theatre repertoire that vigorously includes the voices of artists of color. Generative artists receive commissioning support and developmental resources, including workshops and readings, that respond directly to their individual needs.

BWW Review: ON THE GROUNDS OF BELONGING at Long Wharf Theatre

Racism and homophobia reign in 1950s Houston, the setting of Ricardo Pérez González's world premiere of On the Grounds of Belonging. The play begins as white drag queen Thomas Aston (Jeremiah Clapp) from whites only gay bar, The Red Room, hides from a raid at The Gold Room, a blacks only gay bar. Thomas falls head over his high heels for Russell Montgomery (Calvin Leon Smith), a quiet, erudite journalist who has a not too distant past with fellow patron Henry Stanfield (Blake Anthony Morris). But against the advice of bar manager Hugh Williams (Thomas Silcott), Thomas and Rusty begin a serious love affair. This is not a good time or place to be an interracial gay couple, but their biggest threat is Henry, who bashes Thomas in the head out of jealousy and hurt. Mooney Fitzpatrick (Craig Bockhorn), the gay and bigoted owner of the two gay bars, tells Russell that Thomas, whom he loved like a son, died of his wounds. He threatens to lynch the person who killed him. Sounds a bit like Romeo and Juliet, but neither character dies at the end. They are just separated seemingly forever. Rounding out this excellent ensemble is Tanya Starr (Tracey Conyer Lee), a torch singer at The Gold Room, who helps Henry escape. All the cast members are genuine in their roles, playing them without stereotypes. You can't help but feel their loneliness. Bockhorn is chilling as a man who, with his partner, took in a very young orphaned Thomas, yet is vindictive enough to lynch someone. Lee is a talented singer as well as actress.

Photo Flash: Long Wharf Theatre Presents ON THE GROUNDS OF BELONGING

Long Wharf Theatre presents the first production in the 19-20 Season, On the Grounds of Belonging, written by Ricardo Pérez González and directed by David Mendizábal.

Long Wharf Theatre Announces Cast and Creative for ON THE GROUNDS OF BELONGING

Long Wharf Theatre announces dates, complete casting and the complete creative team for the first production in the 19-20 Season, On the Grounds of Belonging, written by Ricardo Pérez González and directed by David Mendizábal. Performances begin on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 for a limited run through November 3, 2019.

Kit Ingui Named Managing Director of Long Wharf Theatre

Kit Ingui, Long Wharf Theatre's current Acting Managing Director, will assume the role of Managing Director of Long Wharf Theatre effective immediately. Ingui, with 20 years of experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway production, has become a highly-regarded and key member of the leadership team since joining Long Wharf Theatre in 2017 and served as Acting Managing Director from July to September 2019.