NewYorkRep has announced a cast comprising veterans of the U.S. military along with stage and screen stars for its upcoming world premiere of Michelle Kholos Brooks' War Words, performing at A.R.T./New York beginning November 10. Opening night is November 14, and performances will continue through December 17.
Starring will be David Alan Basche (SnakeBit), Maggie Bofill (The Last Days of Judas Iscariot), United States Army Veteran Donald Calliste, John Concado (Romeo y Julieta), Operation Iraqi Freedom War Veteran Jennean Farmer (Ain't No Mo'), Bethany Geraghty (Strange Country), Brandon Jones (According to the Chorus), Kevin Loreque (How the Grinch Stole Christmas tour), Matthew Nikitow (Law & Order: SVU), Haythem Noor (Homeland), Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black), John Siciliano (ER), Jakob Von Eichel (Fringe of Humanity), and Stephen Tyrone Williams (Lucky Guy). Casting is by Gama Valle of Bass/Valle Casting.
The docu-play uses the words of men and women who served in the U.S. military during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Brooks has adapted the piece from interviews she conducted with veterans and their families.
"We strive for authenticity, which is why our cast includes veteran actors who served in the U.S. military along with those you will recognize from the stage and television," says Gayle Waxenberg, NewYorkRep founder. "War Words touched so many actors. We had 1,300 submit for just one role. Our cast feels honored to give voice to these veterans. Michelle Kholos Brooks and NewYorkRep have felt that there was always a need for civilians to better understand the motivation and sacrifice one makes to serve. Presenting War Words around Veteran’s Day feels like a civic responsibility."
"These are the stories of real veterans, in their own words," adds Brooks. "War Words aims to bridge the divide between those who serve in the military and the rest of us who say ‘thank you for your service,’ without really understanding what the service and sacrifices truly are. I hope that audiences will be as surprised, delighted, and moved by these stories as I was."
Sarah Norris is directing the world premiere, which will feature scenic design by Brian Dudkiewicz, costume design by Julia Squier, lighting design by Elaine Wong, sound design by Janet Bentley and Andy Evan Cohen, choreography by Sarah Grace Houston, percussion orchestration by Mariana Ramirez, and percussion and additional orchestrations by Andrew Beal. Madeleine Blossom is production stage manager.
Tickets are available at OnTheStage.com.
