by Leslie Lee

Directed by Joan Kane

It’s the early 1940’s and, despite the pesky blackouts, June and Velma forge a pact – get out of Assumption, Nebraska! June longs for the excitement of New York City, and Velma just has to be part of the Harlem Renaissance. As the drum of WWII beats, will they escape the limitations of home and obligation? Or will family, the past, and duty to one’s race prevail?

Cast:

Heather Massie*
Althea Alexis*
Jill Melanie Wirth*
Tuck Milligan*
Terria Joseph*
Charlotte Hampden*
Charles E. Gerber*
Justin Fuller*
Alexa Devin*
Ryan McCurdy*
Dan Leary

* appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association

Moderator: Thomas Coté

About the playwright:

Leslie Lee was a highly esteemed playwright and screenwriter of national and international reputation. His awards include a Tony nomination, OBIE Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, two Audelco Awards, the Arthur Miller Outstanding Playwright's Award, the National Black Theater Festival August Wilson Playwriting Award, the Isabelle Strickland Award for Excellence in the Field of the Arts, and the Joe A. Callahan Award. His many plays include: The First Breeze of Summer; Black Eagles; Elegy to a Down Queen; Between Now and Then; The Book of Lambert; Colored People's Time; The Ninth Wave; Blues in a Broken Tongue; Legends; Mina; Sundown Names and Night-Gone Things; The War Party; The Rabbit’s Foot; Golden Boy; Phillis; Playing with Fire; Cherokee Rose; and a musical about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., titled Before The Dream. Apples and Oranges was one of Mr. Lee’s most recent works.