The Foundry Theatre

Productions

Good Person of Szechwan

 

“Show interest in her goodness for no one can be good for long if goodness is not in demand.”

Can we practice goodness and create a world to sustain it? In this complex and comic play, the question is raised by one of Brecht’s most entertaining characters — Shen Tei, the kind-hearted, penniless, cross-dressing prostitute, who is forced to disguise herself as a savvy businessman to master the ruthlessness necessary to be a “good person” in a brutal world.

Written By
Bertolt Brecht
Translated By
John Willett
Directed By
Lear Debessonet
Music By
César Alvarez w. The Lisps
Creative Producer:
Melanie Joseph
 

2013: Performed in LaMaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theater
2013: Presented by The Public in the Martinson Theater

 

Company

Written by Bertolt Brecht
Directed by Lear deBessonet
Music by Cesar Alvarez w. The Lisps
Choreography: Danny Mefford

Set Design: Matt Saunders
Costumes: Clint Ramos  
Lights: Tyler Micoleau 
Sound: Brandon Wolcott
Props: Ricola Wille
Production Dramaturg: Anne Erbe

Stage Manager: Megan Schwarz Dickert  
Assistant Stage Manager: Mary Spadoni

Wigs & Makeup: Dave Bova

Featuring:
Taylor Mac: Shen Tei/Sui Ta
David Turner: Wang, the waterseller
Vinie Burrows, Mia Katigbak, Annie Golden,
Mary Schultz : The Gods
Clifton Duncan: Grandfather / Yang Sun
Lisa Kron: Mrs. Mi Tzu / Mrs. Yang
Kate Benson: Mrs. Shin
Brooke Ishibashi: The Woman
Paul Juhn: Man / Mr Shu Fu
Ephraim Birney: Nephew
Darryl Winslow: Homeless Man/ Carpenter / Policeman
Jack Allen Greenfield: Boy / Carpenter’s son

THE LISPS: Our Band
Eric Farber: Drums, Found Percussion & Contraptions
Lorenzo Wolf: Bass
Ben Simon: Organ & Guitar
Sammy Tunis: Vocals & Percussion

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Press

“Here is a show that must be seen, must, must, must!”  The New York Times
“I have never seen a production of Brecht so flat-out pleasurable as this one.”
TimeOut NY

“The big, enveloping spirit that emanates from the utterly outstanding revival of Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Good Person of Szechwan, produced by the Foundry Theatre at La MaMa, is part of the show’s essential moral goodness.”–
The New Yorker 
“Some shows are just too good to go away for good … I’m talking about the Foundry Theater’s sublime production of Bertolt Brecht’s “Good Person of Szechwan, [which] reopened last night at The Public Theater.”  The NY Times

 

OBIE Award:  Best Director, Lear deBessonet

Lortel Award:  Outstanding Revival

3 Drama Desk Nominations: Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Director of a Play & Outstanding Music in a Play

Best Show of 2013:  The NY Times & TimeOut NY 
 

How Much Does it Cost

Good Person @ La Mama
(4.5 wks rehearsal; 4.5 wks performance)
        Good Person @ The Public
        (9 weeks performance)