Unpublished Betty Smith Play Becomes a Woman to Have Off-Broadway World Premiere

The Mint Theater Company will present the world premiere of Becomes a Woman, an unpublished and unproduced play written by Betty Smith, author of the 1943 bestselling novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Smith's 1930 never-before-seen drama, directed by Britt Berke, will run off-Broadway from February 7-March 18 at New York City Center Stage II with an official opening set for February 27.

Becomes a Woman is the story of Francie, a 19-year-old living with her family in Brooklyn and working at a five and dime store as a singer at the sheet music counter. Her co-workers describe her as "afraid of her family, afraid of the boss, afraid to make a date." But as Francie becomes a woman, she discovers a hidden reserve of courage that surprises everyone, even herself.

The cast will feature Duane Boutté (Parade), Christopher Reed Brown (off-Broadway debut), Jeb Brown (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Gina Daniels (Network), Antoinette Lavecchia (Torch Song), Jack Mastrianni (A Christmas Story The Musical!), Jason O'Connell (Pride and Prejudice), Emma Pfitzer Price (off-Broadway debut), Scott Redmond (Oklahoma! National Tour); Pearl Rhein (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), Madeline Seidman (off-Broadway debut), Phillip Taratula (The Skin of Our Teeth), Peterson Townsend (Chains), and Tim Webb (A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage – National Tour).

The creative team includes Vicki R. Davis (scenic design), Emilee McVey-Lee (costumes), Mary Louise Geiger (lighting), M. Florian Staab (sound), Amy Stoller (dialects and dramaturgy), and Stephanie Klapper, CSA (casting).