Venus

Theatre
Name: Pershing Square Signature Center/ Irene Diamond Stage
Address: 480 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
Production Information
First performance date: April 25, 2017
Opening date: May 15, 2017
Closing date: June 4, 2017
External Links: Official Website


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Production Description
Traveling from her home in southern Africa for what she hoped would be a better life, Saartjie Baartman became an unfortunate star on the 19th Century London freak show circuit. This Obie Award-winning play gives vibrant life to the story of Baartman’s journey to London, her rise to fame as the “Hottentot Venus,” and her eventual relationship with a French scientist. Inspired by the true story of Baartman, Venus is a tragic-carnival, an intense and devastating journey honoring the life of Baartman and examining the way we live and love today.
Opening Night Credits

Production Credits
Person/Company Credit
Signature Theatre Producer
Paige Evans Artistic Director
Erika Mallin Executive Director
James Houghton Founder
Beth Whitaker Associate Artistic Director
  
Suzan-Lori Parks Playwright
Brandon Wolcott Original Music
Nicholas Williams Additional Music
Suzan-Lori Parks Songs
  
Lear deBessonet Director
  
Danny Mefford Choreographer
Thomas Schall Fight Director
  
Matt Saunders Set Designer
ESosa1 Costume Designer
Justin Townsend Lighting Designer
Brandon Wolcott Sound Designer
J. Jared Janas Hair/Make-Up
Colin McIlvane Associate Scenic Designer
Heather Stanley Assistant Costume Designer
Sarah Johnston Associate Lighting Designer
Tyler Kieffer Assistant Sound Designer
  
Gilbert Medina General Manager
  
Evangeline Rose Whitlock Production Stage Manager
Jason Pacella Assistant Stage Manager
  
Paul Ziemer Director of Production
  
Jenna Clark Embrey Dramaturg
Karyn Casl2 Casting
Telsey + Company Casting
David Hatkoff Marketing
1Credited as Emilio Sosa.
2Credited as Karyn Casl, CSA.

Cast
Actor Role
Hannah Cabell The Chorus / Witness #2
John Ellison Conlee The Man / The Baron Docteur
Randy Danson The Man's Brother / The Mother-Showman / The Grade-School Chum
Adam Green The Chorus / The Young Man
Birgit Huppuch The Chorus / The Bride-to-Be
Zainab Jah Miss Saartjie Baartman, a.k.a The Girl, later The Venus Hottentot
Kevin Mambo The Negro Resurrectionist
Patrena Murray The Chorus / The Uncle
Reynaldo Piniella The Chorus / Witness #4
Julian Rozzell The Chorus / The Father
Tony Torn The Chorus / The Mother
Awards
Award Person / Company Function
1 NOMINATED 2018 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Costume Design for a Play ESosa Costume Designer
2 NOMINATED 2017 AUDELCO Award, Costume Design ESosa Costume Designer
3 NOMINATED 2017 AUDELCO Award, Lead Actress Zainab Jah Actor