Sojourners & Her Portmanteau

Theatre
Name: New York Theatre Workshop
Address: 79 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003
Production Information
First performance date: April 22, 2017
Opening date: May 16, 2017
Closing date: June 11, 2017
External Links: Official Website


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Production Description
In a two-part theatrical event, NYTW Usual Suspect Ed Sylvanus Iskandar brings to life the singularly poetic world of playwright and NYTW Usual Suspect Mfoniso Udofia’s Sojourners and Her Portmanteau. Performed in repertory, these two chapters of Udofia's sweeping, nine-part saga, The Ufot Cycle, chronicle the triumphs and losses of the tenacious matriarch of a Nigerian family. In Sojourners, a young, pregnant Abasiama struggles with the responsibilities of her arranged marriage as her husband becomes seduced by 1970s American culture. Intent on finishing her university studies so that she can return to Nigeria, Abasiama weighs her dreams and obligations as she attempts to move forward. Decades later, the full impact of her decision erupts when Abasiama’s family is reunited in Her Portmanteau. As Nigerian traditions clash with the realities of American life, Abasiama and her daughters must confront complex familial legacies that span time, geography, language and culture. Presented in two parts, this heartrending pairing probes into the ties that bind mothers and daughters and how we define home.
Opening Night Credits

Production Credits
Person/Company Credit
New York Theatre Workshop Producer
The Playwrights Realm Produced in Association
Yang-Yang Chen Producing Associate
  
Mfoniso Udofia Playwright
  
Ed Iskandar Director
Axel Avin Jr. Assistant Director
Katie Lindsay Assistant Director
Stevie Walker-Webb Assistant Director
  
Jason Sherwood Set Designer
Loren Shaw Costume Designer
Jeremy S. Bloom Lighting Designer
Jiyoun (Jiji) Chang Lighting Designer
Cookie Jordan Wig Designer
David Tousley Assistant Set Designer
Rien Schlect Assistant Costume Designer
Marie Yokoyama Associate Lighting Designer
Lee Kinney Associate Sound Designer
Michael Clark Associate Projection Designer
Paul Lieber Associate Projection Designer
  
Matt Ross Public Relations Press Representative
  
Kara Kaufman Stage Manager
Suzanne Apicella1 Assistant Stage Manager
Leeann Lisella2 Assistant Stage Manager
  
Chip Rodgers Production Manager
  
Janice Paran Dramaturg
Jack Doulin Casting Director
Dawn-Elin Fraser Dialect Coach
The Pekoe Group Advertising

1Her Portmanteau.
2Sojourners.

Cast
Actor Role
Jenny Jules1 Abasiama Ufot
Lakisha Michelle May2 Moxie Wilis
Adepero Oduye1 Iniabasi Ekpeyoung
Chinasa Ogbuagu2 Abasiama Ekpeyoung
Chinasa Ogbuagu1 Adiagha Ufot
Hubert Point-Du Jour2 Ukpong Ekpeyoung
Chinaza Uche Disciple Ufot

1Her Portmanteau.
2Sojourners.