INCENDIARY

WORLD PREMIERE

by Dave Harris
Directed by Monty Cole
May 29 - June 29, 2023
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Tanya is a Black mother determined to break her son, Eric, out of death row — or die trying. She’ll need guns, to get her hair done, and to f*ck some people up. As time ticks towards the fateful date of Eric’s execution (and birthday), the play explodes into a collision of the hilarious and tragic. In this world premiere, playwright Dave Harris harnesses the storytelling techniques of comic books and video games to explore the complexities of generational trauma and daring heroism with his singular, satirical style.

Monty says, “Partly absurd, partly poignant, partly an action/adventure with every weapon you can think of, Incendiary was a roller coaster ride. Harris’ play demands an athletic cast to explore deep emotional themes and question how far love can take you. What do we our children and what do they owe us? How can we be blinded by the stories we tell ourselves over and over again? I loved diving into this deeply complex and entertaining play with Dave.”

ENSEMBLE: Nehassaiu deGannes (Tanya), Breon Arzell (Markus/Gerard/Joshua), Brandon J. Pierce (Manny/Marcus), Shannon Dorsey (Jasmine), Terrance Fleming (Eric)

PRODUCTION TEAM
Scenic Design: Andrew Boyce
Lighting Design: Mextly Couzin
Sound Design: Tosin Olufolabi
Costume Design: Samantha Jones
Composer: Navi
Fight/Intimacy Choreographer: Chelsea Pace
Dance Choreographer: Breon Arzell
Dramaturg: Sonia Fernandez

Stage Manager: Leigh Robinette

PRESS AND RECOGNITION

“The show checks all the boxes for time-limited audiences who are trying to balance their arts budget. It’s entertaining. It’s a good choice for a date night. It’s money well spent. It is also a lung-bruisingly hilarious and deeply terrifying play about what makes a human being human.” - Gregory Ford, DC Theater Arts

“The play has found a perfect director in Monty Cole, who understands both the jagged sincerity and darkness lurking in every scene. Under Monty Cole’s direction and Dorsey’s skilled performance, this production makes Jasmine a stand-out role and fully realized woman. There’s a hesitation, a quiet contemplation to Jasmine onstage that’s refreshing when compared to other characters’ moral certainty. That’s not to say that it isn’t incredible when this production just goes for it. Cole stages comedic scenes with incredible precision.” - Nathan Pugh, Theatrely