Wendy Goodwin stares into the eyes of Ryan Sullivan, while Courtney Hopkin glares at them from behind.

The Scarlet Letter

SEASON 15 | MARCH 2003

The Scarlet Letter

By Phyllis Nagy
Directed by Michelle K. Fowler
Presented by VORTEX
Production Photos

 

A... adultery--one of many letters that society places on people who don’t fit in or go against the status quo. The letters shift through the ages, but the labeling and out-casting continues. What’s your letter?

Based on the story from Nathanial Hawthorne’s classic American novel (published in 1850), this fresh production is undone, redone—a new look at the letter. Drawing on Hawthorne’s characters and plot, internationally-acclaimed, award-winning playwright Phyllis Nagy looks at the story from the point of view of the illegitimate child, Pearl. In this Scarlet Letter, Pearl re-lives the nightmare that was once her childhood, revisiting the memories of her haunting past.

CAST

Wendy Goodwin, Courtney Hopkin, Ryan Sullivan, Steven Fay, Amie Elyn, Henry Fitzgerald, and Zach Crofford

PRODUCTION TEAM

Directed by Michelle K. Fowler. Lighting Designer: Jason Amato. Scenic Designer: Ann Marie Gordon. Costume Designer: Kari Perkins. Sound Designer: Chad Salvata

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Michelle K. Fowler integrates the contemporary and puritan sensibilities in order to tell a story for modern audiences. The characters emerge from their surroundings, providing Pearl with the courage to face her bitter memories and offering the audience a rose to "relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow".

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Playwright Phyllis Nagy was born in New York City and now lives in London. The Scarlet Letter was originally produced at the Denver Center Theatre Company in 1994.