-Courtesy of Bryan Buttler Media Relations, LLC
The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia will welcome back live audiences with the regional premiere of Minor Character: Six Translations of Uncle Vanya at the Same Time, a joyful and music-filled comedic kaleidoscope. Featuring the Wilma’s HotHouse Acting Company, this warm-hearted yet bittersweet look at love, longing, and the limitations of language runs from October 5-October 24, 2021. A limited number of press tickets are available to the October 9 opening night performance.
“I am so excited about Minor Character because I feel like it’s the perfect way to welcome back audiences into our theater,” notes Co-Artistic Director James Ijames. “It is a delightful, music-filled expression of love, longing, and how to communicate with other people.”
Vanya feels like he’s wasted his life, and lost his chance at love. In this revolutionary new work, the classic character of Uncle Vanya gets reflected through the prisms of different translations and diverse performers. Six versions of Uncle Vanya, including Google Translate’s hilariously nonsensical one, are blended together to make one wildly thrilling new show. Performers from the Wilma’s HotHouse Acting Company play many characters – including different versions of the same character – who peddle bicycles, pick mushrooms, and pickle cucumbers while dreaming of better lives.
The original New York production of this play, which wowed audiences at the Public Theater, was created by New Saloon, co-founded by the Wilma’s Co-Artistic Director Morgan Green. The Wilma’s version is directed by Co-Artistic Director Yury Urnov.
The cast includes Ross Beschler, Keith Conallen, Sarah Gliko, Suli Holum, Justin Jain, Jered McLenigan, Campbell O’Hare, and Lindsay Smiling. Jarod Hanson is the Assistant Director/Choreographer, Kellie Mecleary is Dramaturg, Noelle Diane Johnson is EDI Officer, and Patreshetterlini Adams is Stage Manager. Set Design for Minor Character is by Mikhail Kachman; Lighting Design is by J. Dominic Chacon; Costume Design is by Ivania Stack; Sound Design, Music Direction, and Compositions are by Michael Kiley; and Leslie Rivera is the Video Designer.
This return to live performances at the Wilma comes after a groundbreaking and innovative digital 2020-21 season, featuring filmed captures of Will Arbery’s Heroes of the Fourth Turning and James Ijames’ Fat Ham. Loved by both critics and audiences alike, the New York Times declared that the Wilma had “perfected beautiful film-stage hybrids.”
Health and Safety Protocols
To help protect the health and safety of audiences, artists, staff, and the greater community, audience members are required to wear masks at all performances and be fully vaccinated. Audience members with a valid ticket must show proof of vaccination along with photo ID at their time of entry into the venue. “Fully vaccinated” means the performance date must be at least 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna), or at least 14 days after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson).
Proof of vaccination may be presented as follows, along with a valid ID:
Electronic Copy
Photocopy
Photo
ADDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES
In addition to the above mask and vaccines requirements, the Wilma has also implemented these additional safety measures for Minor Character:
1) UPDATED AIR CONDITIONERS WITH MERV 13 FILTERS- The Wilma has updated their air ventilation system, using MERV-13 filters and increasing air from the outside.
2) LIMITED CAPACITY AND REDUCED SEATING- To allow for social distancing, The Wilma has reduced seating capacity for Minor Character. Only 150 seats will be sold, compared to the full capacity of 300 seats.
3) FLEXIBLE EXCHANGE POLICY, INCLUDING TO DIGITAL VERSIONS- The Wilma is filming Minor Character so that audience members can stream it from the comfort of their homes. If a guest is unable to get vaccinated, are feeling unwell, experience any COVID-related symptoms, or come into close contact with someone who has 4) COVID-19 up to 14 days before a performance, The Wilma asks that they please do not attend, and the theater will send a link to watch the show digitally when it’s released. The company will announce further details about the streaming version soon at wilmatheater.org.
5) WILMA STAFF, PERFORMERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND CREW ARE VACCINATED AND ARE GETTING TESTING FREQUENTLY- The Wilma has mandated vaccinations for all staff, performers, volunteers, and crew. On-site staff, performers, and crew will also undergo weekly COVID testing. Staff and crew will always be masked indoors, but performers will be unmasked.
6) NO INTERMISSIONS FOR PERFORMANCES- All of the performances this season will not have intermissions.
7) COVID MANAGERS- The Wilma staff includes multiple trained COVID Managers, who are responsible for upholding safety protocols.
8) CONTACTLESS TICKETS AND DIGITAL PROGRAMS- In order to minimize contact, The Wilma has implemented print at home and contactless tickets for all performances. Programs will also be digitally distributed.
For more information on health and safety, visit https://wilmatheater.org/safety/
Ticketing Info:
Single tickets to Minor Character go on sale to the public on September 1, 2021. Tickets run $25-$59. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit wilmatheater.org.
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