Behind the Sheet, the world-premiere play by Charly Evon Simpson, has announced a third extension through March 10. The play, directed by Colette Robert, began its run at Ensemble Studio Theatre Off-Broadway January 9.
Simpson brings to light the forgotten community of enslaved black women who enabled a major medical discovery in 1940s Alabama. Philomena, played by Orange Is the New Black’s Naomi Lorrain, is a slave who helps her owner perform experimental surgeries on her fellow slave women in an attempt to unearth a cure for fistulas, a painful post-childbirth complication.
The cast is completed by Stephen James Anthony (War Horse) as Edward/Samuel, Nia Calloway (All One Forest) as Betty, Cristina Pitter (BALLS) as Sally, Shawn Randall (Travisville) as Benjamin/Lewis, Joel Ripka (American Jornalero) as George, Megan Tusing (Mope) as Josephine, Amber Reauchean Williams (No King In Israel) as Mary, and Jehan O. Young (Think Before You Holla) as Dinah.
Flip through photos of the production below:
The play is part of the EST/Sloan Science & Technology Project, EST's ongoing partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to commission, develop, and produce new works that explore the worlds of science, technology, and economics.
For more information visit EnsembleStudiotheatre.org.
