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Red Velvet Prepares for West Coast Premiere

Lolita Chakrabarti’s drama follows African-American actor Ira Aldridge’s historic performance of ”Othello”.

| Los Angeles |

March 22, 2016

Nicola Bertram as Desdemona/Ellen Tree and Paul Outlaw as Othello/Ira Aldridge in the west coast premiere of Red Velvet. — Nicola Bertram as Desdemona/Ellen Tree and Paul Outlaw as Othello/Ira Aldridge in the West Coast premiere of *Red Velvet*.
(© Ed Krieger)

The Junction Theatre launches the West Coast premiere of Red Velvet this weekend at Los Angeles' Atwater Playhouse. The limited six-week engagement of Lolita Chakrabarti’s drama will run from March 26-April 30.

Kailena Mai as Halina Wozniak with Sean C. Dwyer as Casimir. — Kailena Mai as Halina Wozniak with Sean C Dwyer as Casimir.
(© Ed Krieger)

Directed by Benjamin Pohlmeier, Red Velvet follows the pandemonium that erupts when American actor, Ira Aldridge, arrives at a prestigious English theater to play the title role in Shakespeare’s play, Othello. As a black man, Aldridge's casting is unheard of on London stages in 1833, even in the role of Shakespeare’s doomed Moor. The narrative examines what happens when a courageous few dare to challenge the status quo and how hard it is to bring about change.

Amanda Charney (Betty Lovell), Sean C. Dwyer (Casimir/Henry Forrester/Cassio), and Adam Chacon (Terence/Bernard Warde) share the stage. — Amanda Charney (Betty Lovell), Sean C Dwyer (Casimir/Henry Forrester/Cassio), and Adam Chacon (Terence/Bernard Warde) share the stage.
(© Ed Krieger)

The cast stars Paul Outlaw as Ira Aldridge, alongside Nicola Bertram, Colin Campbell, Adam Chacon, Amanda Charney, Sean C Dwyer, Kailena Mai, Erin Elizabeth Reed, Dee Dee Stephens, and Ben Warner.

The creative team also includes scenic design by Kiley Hanon, lighting design and technical direction by Douglas Gabrielle, sound design by James Ferrero, and costume design by Kristina Moore.