1st Stage is delighted to announce the regional premiere of Mlima’s Tale, written by Lynn Nottage and directed by José Carrasquillo.
A Pulitzer Prize and Macarthur Genius Grant winner, Nottage gives us the story of Mlima, an elderly “big tusker” elephant from a protected reserve in Kenya. When Mlima is poached for his glorious ivory tusks, those tusks begin a journey across the world, introducing us to a string of characters, each with their own goals and struggles surrounding the ivory trade. In every scene, Mlima’s magnificent presence hovers in the background, lending the weight of his history to this beautiful story.
Mlima’s Tale stars Jeremy Keith Hunter as Mlima, with Deidra LaWan Starnes, Andrew Ly, and Shaquille Stewart playing multiple rich and diverse ensemble roles. The show features set design by Giorgos Tsappas, lighting design by Sarah Tundermann, sound design by David Lamont Wilson, projection design by Jon Roberts, and costume design by Moyenda Kulemeka.
Mlima’s Tale will run at 1st Stage from September 15 through October 2 with show times as follows: Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2pm.
General admission tickets are $50. Senior (65+) tickets are $47. Student, educator, and military tickets are $15. The first 20 tickets sold for every show will cost only $20. Thursday evening tickets are $35. Tickets can be purchased online at www.1ststage.org or by calling the 1st Stage box office at 703-854-1856.
1st Stage Safety Plan
1st Stage is dedicated to the health and safety of its patrons, performers, and participants, and is enacting certain safety measures at this time to ensure that the theatre can remain a comfortable place for our community. In order to provide a healthy space for the artists to work, 1st Stage will take the following safety precautions:
- All patrons, volunteers, and staff are required to be masked while inside the 1st Stage Theatre facility.
- 1st Stage staff, artists, designers, and volunteers must be fully vaccinated.
Coming Next to 1st Stage
From November 17 to December 11, 1st Stage will present The Rainmaker, by N. Richard Nash, directed by Deidra LaWan Starnes. Not only is the Curry family farm being paralyzed by a devastating drought, but Lizzie Curry, to the chagrin of her father and brothers, is unmarried with no viable prospects. A charming, confident trickster named Starbuck comes to town and promises to bring rain in exchange for $100, setting off a series of events that enable Lizzie to see herself in a new light.
What
Mlima’s Tale
by Lynn Nottage
When
September 15 through October 2, 2022
Thursdays at 7:30pm
Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 2 and 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
Where
1st Stage
1524 Spring Hill Road
Tysons, VA 22102
Tickets
- $50 general admission
- $47 seniors (65+)
- $15 students, educators, and military
Purchase online at www.1ststage.org or 703-854-1856
About 1st Stage
1st Stage Theatre is an award-winning professional theatre in the heart of Tysons, Virginia. The company serves as a cultural hub for the community producing first-rate theatrical productions as well as hosting professional musicians, orchestras, and visual artists, and providing educational opportunities for the community. Winner of Outstanding Production for the past two seasons (The Brothers Size and Fly By Night), 1st Stage was nominated for 18 Helen Hayes Awards in 2020. Other awards include the American Theatre Wing’s National Theatre Company award. Additionally, 1st Stage is a renewed member of the Catalogue for Philanthropy class of 2020-2021. In September 2016, The Wall Street Journal called 1st Stage “one of America’s most impressive smaller regional companies.” For more information, visit 1st Stage online at www.1ststage.org or follow the theater on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
