Boston Court Pasadena to Stage World Premiere of BOTH AND

Boston Court Pasadena has announced its first in-person, onstage production since early 2020, the world premiere of Both And (a play about laughing while black) by Carolyn Ratteray. Directed by Andi Chapman and performed by Ratteray, previews will begin on Thursday, April 7 and continue through Friday, April 15. Opening is set for Saturday, April 16, at 8pm and the run will continue through Sunday, May 15. The performance schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm.

Through clowning, poetic text, and a tour-de-force performance, Both And deeply investigates the nucleus of Black joy. As her mother is dying, Teayanna finds herself in a netherworld between life and death, struggling to help her mother cross over. The journey reveals the wisdom of the ancestors, invokes the legacy of the Middle Passage, and unfolds the surprising secrets within her mother's purse. This unique and powerful story, rich with humor, raw honesty, and passion, becomes a brilliant meditation on how to reconnect with joy.

Said Artistic Director Jessica Kubzansky, "We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome live performance back into the building with this truly extraordinary world premiere. It is especially meaningful to us because one of Boston Court's pandemic pivots was leaning into long-form development. In fact, we called 2021 the year of 'Making Scripts Happen.' Both And is one of the scripts we spent quite some time nurturing and workshopping, and we are overjoyed to bring this powerful play to fruition by sharing it with our audience as our first live production back."

Scenic design is by Ed Haynes Jr., lighting design is by Andrew Schmedake, costume design is by Wendell Carmichael, and sound design is by David B. Marling. Video design is by Shannon Barondeau, properties designer is Kevin Williams, and composer is John Ballinger. Clown consultant is Michelle Matlock, dramaturg is Emilie Pascale Beck, and assistant director is Jessica Williams. Production stage manager is Jessica Moneà Evans and the covid safety manager is Will Block.

Carolyn Ratteray is an Emmy-nominated actor and director. She has appeared in off-Broadway and regional theatres as well as in television/film/commercials and voiceovers. Most recent credits include Gem of the Ocean (A Noise Within), The Mountaintop (Garry Marshall Theatre), and The Cake (Geffen Playhouse and Echo Theater Company). She has directed By the Way Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage, In Love and Warcraft by Madhuri Shekar, and Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. She has studied theatrical clown with Philip Gaulier, Chris Bayes, David Bridel, and Angela De Castro. Film and television credits include Snowfall, Riley Parra, Seasons of Love, Castle, NCIS, All My Children, The Young and the Restless, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. She is a resident artist at A Noise Within, a member of Antaeus Theatre Company, and an assistant professor of theatre at Pomona College.

Andi Chapman is a director, actor, and educator. She is associate artistic director of Ebony Repertory Theatre. Directing credits include Native Son (Antaeus and Kirk Douglas Theatre), and The Gospel at Colonus (Ebony Repertory Theatre) which garnered 14 Ovation Award nominations and the 2016 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Production. Other stage directing credits include The Abuelas, Mockingbird, As it is in Heaven, The Ninth Wave, Steel Magnolias, The Dutchman, A Summer Memory, and many others. Film directing credits include Memorial Street, Elijah's Song, and Why? Her television, film, and stage acting credits include How to Get Away with Murder, Criminal Minds, NCIS, SMLF, Chance, Shameless, Dexter, 24, Six Feet Under, Short Cuts, The Lower Depths, and Blood Wedding. She is currently Center Theatre Group Program Advisor/Coaching Artist for the August Wilson National Monologue Competition. She is a professor at various universities and currently teaches acting at Azusa Pacific University.

The Boston Court production of Both And (a play about laughing while black) is made possible by a generous grant from the LA New Play Project.

All seats are general admission. Ticket prices for previews range from $15-$20 and for regular performances admission ranges from $20-$39. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bostoncourtpasadena.org or by phone at (626) 683-6801. Complete performance schedule and all current covid safety protocols are also available online. Boston Court is located at 70 N. Mentor Avenue in Pasadena, 91106.

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Photo Credits: Frank Ishman

Pictured: Carolyn Ratteray

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