Itinerant Theatre Proudly presents the opening of its 2017 season with Coffee House Theatre for September at Stellar Beans Cafe. September will be the preview of ACTS Theatre’s upcoming production of “Caroline or Change” by Lake Charles native Tony Kushner. The production will open September 15th, and you can find out about how to puchase tickets at this free preview event. Coffee House Theatre is free to the public and all are welcome.
“Caroline or Change” is set in one of the most dramatic times in America’s history, the Tony-nominated Caroline, or Change, is riveting, moving and awe-inspiring. Featuring a virtuosic score by Jeanine Tesori (Shrek The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie), it blends blues, gospel and traditional Jewish melodies, creating a breathtaking medium for Kushner’s provocative and personal story.
In 1963, the Gellman family and their African-American maid, Caroline, live in sleepy Lake Charles, Louisiana. Caroline is drifting through life as a single mother of four working in a service job to a white family. A fragile, yet beautiful friendship develops between the young Gellman son, Noah, and Caroline. Noah’s stepmother, Rose, unable to give Caroline a raise, tells Caroline that she may keep the money that Noah leaves in his pockets. Caroline balks and refuses to take money from a child but her own children desperately need food, clothing and shoes. Outside of the laundry room, some of the greatest social advancements that the country has seen are being set in motion, and change is knocking on the door.
Caroline, or Change, produces a valuable theatrical experience that continues to thrill audiences the world over. It is a story that must be shared and will touch hearts. It is a story that will open minds. It is a story that will change theatergoers for the better. Featuring one of the most powerful female roles in musical theatre, Caroline, or Change, is a true tour de force that will leave audiences breathless.
Set in one of the most dramatic times in America’s history, the Tony-nominated Caroline, or Change, is riveting, moving and awe-inspiring. Featuring a virtuosic score by Jeanine Tesori (Shrek The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie), it blends blues, gospel and traditional Jewish melodies, creating a breathtaking medium for Kushner’s provocative and personal story. In 1963, the Gellman family and their African-American maid, Caroline, live in sleepy Lake Charles, Louisiana. Caroline is drifting through life as a single mother of four working in a service job to a white family. A fragile, yet beautiful friendship develops between the young Gellman son, Noah, and Caroline. Noah’s stepmother, Rose, unable to give Caroline a raise, tells Caroline that she may keep the money that Noah leaves in his pockets. Caroline balks and refuses to take money from a child but her own children desperately need food, clothing and shoes. Outside of the laundry room, some of the greatest social advancements that the country has seen are being set in motion, and change is knocking on the door. Caroline, or Change, produces a valuable theatrical experience that continues to thrill audiences the world over. It is a story that must be shared and will touch hearts. It is a story that will open minds. It is a story that will change theatergoers for the better. Featuring one of the most powerful female roles in musical theatre, Caroline, or Change, is a true tour de force that will leave audiences breathless.”
With all-local cast:
CAROLINE THIBODEAUX: Hannah Barker
DOTTY MOFFETT : Lillie Aguillard
EMMIE THIBODEAUX: Lauren Edwards
GRANDMA GELLMAN: Ellie Marquez
GRANDPA GELLMAN: Andrew Casanave
JACKIE THIBODEAUX: Nathan Ughovwa
JOE THIBODEAUX: Landon Mitchell
MR. STOPNICK: Mark Herbert
NOAH GELLMAN: Eli Smithey/Jake Smithey
ROSE STOPNICK GELLMAN: Lori Smithey
STUART GELLMAN: Paul Broussard
THE BUS: Kevin Aguillard
THE DRYER: Kevin Aguillard
THE MOON: Martha Reynolds
THE RADIO TRIO: Jacqueline S. Ellis
Tony James,
Yvonne Marie Manning,
WASHING MACHINE: Alexus Peters
Directed by Joy Pace, Music Direction by Tony James, Assistant Director Bianca Augustine, Stage Manager Mark Bowling. Producer, Diane Flatt
