Portia to Begin Starring in Ruined on May 26

Portia will take over the role of Mama Nadi in the Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Ruined on Tuesday, May 26. She replaces Saidah Arrika Ekulona, who must fulfill a previous commitment. Victoire Charle will play Mama Nadi during the week of May 18.

The play, which is now running through June 28, is directed by Kate Whoriskey. It focuses on Mama Nadi, a shrewd businesswoman living in a small mining town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The cast features Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Cherise Boothe, Chris Chalk, William Jackson Harper, Chiké Johnson, Russell G. Jones, Simon Shabantu Kashama, Kevin Mambo, Tom Mardirosian, Ron McBee, and Condola Rashad.

Portia’s previous stage credits include Zooman and the Sign, McReele, Our Lady of 121st Street, and The Treatment.