Two River Theater‘s world premiere of Kate Hamill‘s The Scarlet Letter begins performances February 3. Based on Nathaniel Hawthorne‘s classic novel, the work is playing the New Jersey venue through February 25. Shelley Butler (Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, A Doll’s House Part 2) is at the helm.
Hamill has previously adapted Little Women and Pride and Prejudice, all as part of her creative initiative to showcase feminist, female-centered classics. With The Scarlet Letter as her latest adaption, the work showcases the strength of a woman who will not let the rules of an unjust society define her, as Hester Prynne dares to strive for a better life for herself and her daughter.
he cast includes Mary Bacon (Dig, Coal Country) as Goody Hibbins, Nikki Calonge (Life of Pi) as Pearl, Kevin Isola as Chillingworth, Keshav Moodliar as Dimmesdale, Amelia Pedlow (The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window) as Hester Prynne, and Triney Sandoval as Governor Hibbins.
The Scarlet Letter features scenic design by Takeshi Kata, costume design by Sara Ryung Clement, lighting design by Philip Rosenberg, sound design and composition by Kate Marvin, puppet design by James Ortiz, puppetry by Will Gallacher, hair and makeup design by Roxanne De Luna, fight direction and intimacy by Rocío Mendez, and casting by Caparelliotis Casting’s David Caparelliotis and Joseph Gery. Alex Murphy serves as stage manager alongside Kassi Wilson as assistant stage manager.
For tickets and more information, visit TwoRiverTheater.org.