René D. Copeland Artistic Director Drew Ogle Managing Director TOPDOG/UNDERDOG BY SUZAN-LORI PARKS FEBRUARY 9 - 24, 2019 JOHNSON THEATER, TPAC ARTISTIC DIRECTOR René D. Copeland DIRECTOR LIGHTING DESIGN STAGE MANAGER Jon Royal Darren Levin Teresa Driver ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SOUND DESIGN TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Kayla Turner Ned Singh Christopher L. Jones SCENIC DESIGN COSTUME DESIGN PROPS MASTER Gary C. Hoff Colleen Garatoni Evelyn Thornhill COSTUME SHOP MANAGER Lori Gann-Smith Topdog/Underdog is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York. Produced on Broadway by Carole Shorenstein Hays, Waxman/Williams Entertainment, Bob Boyett, Freddy De Mann, Susan Dietz, Ina Meibach, Scott Nederlander, Ira Pittelman, Hits Magazine, Kelpie Arts, Rick Steiner/Frederic H. Mayerson, The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival. Original New York production by The Joseph Papp Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival, George C. Wolfe, Producer. This theatre operates under an agreement with Nashville Repertory Theatre is a member of TCG, Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Theatre Communications Group, the national actors and stage managers in the United States. organization for the American theatre. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. No food is allowed in the theater. Drinks without ice are permitted in the theater. NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTE Hi, and welcome to to a man’s experience…I think it’s about what Nashville Rep’s production it means to be family and, in the biggest sense, of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG by the family of man…” There is a universality to Suzan-Lori Parks. I hope this play that is almost magical, considering how you’ve enjoyed our season very specifically it is about these very specific so far, and I thank you brothers and their experience of the world as for supporting our work. African American men. While you experience We were so proud of the the intensity of their story, you may also find season opener, AVENUE Q, you are experiencing an intense connection and and our production of A empathy that resonates with your own human DOLL’S HOUSE PART 2 in struggles. As an artistic director, I am so happy October was an artistic highlight for us all. We to have the chance to bring you this play. I’m all reveled one last time in the holiday party that thrilled that the talented Jon Royal agreed to is A CHRISTMAS STORY, and we also enjoyed a direct, and there are no finer actors than Eddie REPaloud of A DOLL’S HOUSE—if you love those, George and Joel Diggs to open this world up to happily there will be two more REPalouds this you. You will be entertained, disturbed, amused, season. Here at the half-way point of the season, horrified, and, ultimately, enlightened. Thanks after this show will come SHAKESPEARE IN for being here, and enjoy the show. LOVE and then the Ingram New Works Festival in May. Lots of good stuff to come. But none of it gets any better than the amazing play you’re about to see. Suzan-Lori Parks won a Pulitzer Prize for this play in 2002, and I think you’ll see why. The Pulitzer committee called it “a darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity”, and Ms. Parks herself said, “I René D. Copeland think the meaning of the play isn’t just confined Artistic Director 2018-2019 SEASON // NASHREP DIRECTOR’S NOTE inheritance (noun) trance like sleight of hand. One brother displays 1a: the act of a similar talent for boosting merchandise. inheriting property One brother is an alcoholic saddled by guilt b: the reception of genetic and depression who is eager to bury the past. qualities by transmission His brother, on the other hand is nostalgic, from parent to offspring and fantasizes every element of his reality. c: the acquisition of Their interdependence is a fun house mirror a possession, condition, distortion of their parents fraught union. or trait from past generations They also have inherited a great deal from 2: something that is or America. Both men are caught up and bound may be inherited to the history, rituals, various class structures, 3: TRADITION and economic values of this country. It’s a place where one brother can instruct another But, the blues has always been totally American to not embrace his ancestral heritage for fear As American as apple pie of damaging his financial viability. Where else As American as the blues can a black man value a job in which his soul As American as apple pie duty is to perform the death of an assassinated The question is why? president as viable employment, and claim Why should the blues be so at home here that he’s saving his life by dying at the hands of Well, America provided the atmosphere strangers, over and over again? He clings to this occupation, though. He hails its virtues as a “sit Gil Scott-Heron down” job with benefits. Bicentennial Blues Both of these Brothers are ensnared in the When I first sat down and started to look at American Dream, which dominates their past bringing Suzan-Lori Parks’ 2002 Pulitzer Prize and present, and is embodied in the 3 Card winning drama to the stage, two things stood Monte hustle which Link is so adept at, and out. 1) This play is a blues. 2)I knew that this Booth is desperate to take part in. This hustle production had to focus on inheritance. I mean is a carefully curated system that encourages it’s a family drama, with two brothers who observers, or “marks” to participate by staking have been deserted by their parents. Before their money for the chance to win big. This they split, each parent made sure to give one game sells the very myth and promise that of the brothers $500 in cash. As you begin to America is forged on; “opportunity”. live each breath with Lincoln (The Topdog) and Who actually has a shot at winning, in a “dog his younger brother Booth (The Underdog) you eat dog” world? begin to understand that both of these men have inherited so much more from their parents. One brother is methodical. One is impulsive. One Jon Royal brother is a smooth hustler, who has a gift for Director NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE CAST AND PRODUCTION STAFF CAST Lincoln .............................................................................................................................................................Eddie George** Booth ........................................................................................................................................................................Joel Diggs** PRODUCTION STAFF Director ....................................................................................................................................................................... Jon Royal Assistant Director .............................................................................................................................................Kayla Turner Artistic Director ........................................................................................................................................René D. Copeland Stage Manager ...............................................................................................................................................Teresa Driver** Assistant Stage Manager .......................................................................................................................... Zachariah Heil+ Technical Director .............................................................................................................................. Christopher L. Jones Scenic Design........................................................................................................................................................Gary C. Hoff Sound Design ............................................................................................................................................................Ned Singh Lighting Design .......................................................................................................................................... Darren Levin*** Costume Design ..........................................................................................................................................Colleen Garatoni Costume Shop Manager ...........................................................................................................................Lori Gann-Smith Props Master ...............................................................................................................................................Evelyn Thornhill Artistic Associate ...............................................................................................................................................Tessa Bryant Master Carpenter .......................................................................................................................................Tucker Steinlage Run Crew .................................................................................................................Kelsey Garber+, William Christian+ Stitcher ...................................................................................................................................................................Emily Peck+ Wardrobe Supervisor .................................................................................................................................. Grace Kreider+ Costume and Props Rentals ..........................................................................................................................Erica