Legend of the Chalk Circle at American Theatre of Actors - Sargent Theatre

Legend of the Chalk Circle

written and directed by James Cougar Canfield

American Theatre of Actors- Sargent Theatre, 4th Floor

314 W. 54th St, New York, NY 10019

An Equity Approved Showcase

Thursday, March 9th- Sunday, March 26th, 2023

Thursdays, Fridays, and Mondays @ 8pm, Saturdays @ 2pm & 8pm, Sundays @ 3pm

(There will be no matinee performance on Saturday 3/11)

Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission

--

A hilarious and heartfelt queer retelling inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" and the many legends of the circle that have come before.

A revolution has erupted in Grusinia, the governor has been beheaded, his wife, Natella, has fled, their newborn has been left behind. Vash, a servant boy, discovers the child, and begins an adventure across the Caucasus Mountains to save the baby and his own life, all while guided by visions of variants from previous versions of his own story. Meanwhile, Azdak, a hapless peasant and the reincarnation of King Solomon, finds himself as the new judge of Grusinia. When the child's biological mother returns to claim the baby, Vash, Azdak, and Natella, come head to head in an ultimate showdown for custody of the child.

Written and directed by award winning playwright and Tier5 Theatre Company Executive Producer, James Cougar Canfield,

Inspired by the Judgement of Solomon, Li Qianfu's The Chalk Circle, and many more variations of the classic tale,

Legend of the Chalk Circle combines music, puppetry, comedy, and modern language to explore what it means to be a parent, and how can one truly matter in a war-torn world, when the world insists on doing what's right, instead of what's good.

CW: Mature language and themes, homophobia, assault, and comedic violence.

Recommended for ages 13+

CAST

Vash Nadze, The Servant & Our Hero | Joey Carmelo

The Ironshirt | Leo Jasper Davis

Shauwa, The Police Officer | James David Dirck

Georgi Abashwili, The Governor | Yannik Encarnação

Natella Abashwili, The Governor's Wife | Margaret Gorrell

The Adjutant | M. Hatten

The Sarcastic Storyteller | Justine Yeajin An

Aniko, The Sister-in-Law | Samantha Cullifer

The Silly Storyteller | Frank Murdocco*

The Cook | Bri Mariano Ryder

The Spiritual Storyteller | Manasvi Sharma

Simon Shashava, The Soldier | Jake Smerechniak

Prince Kazbeki, His Majesty | Quinn Spivey

Mrs. Yussup, The Wealthy Woman | Amanda Thomas

The Sentimental Storyteller | Ariana Haylock

Lavrenti, The Brother | Miki Tran

The Seren Storyteller | Cindy Xu

Understudies: Lucy Buchanan, Maya Jeyam*, Aamer Zafar Mian, Matthew Menendez, and Cameron Walker

On Friday, March 17th, the roles normally played by Margaret Gorrell will be played by Maya Jeyam, and the roles normally played by Yannik Encarnação will be played by Aamer Zafar Mian.

On Thursday, March 23rd and Friday, March 24th, the roles normally played by M. Hatten will be played by Cameron Walker.

On Saturday, March 25th, evening performance, the roles normally played by James David Dirck, will be played by Cameron Walker. 

* Denotes a member of Actors' Equity Association