B Street Theatre Presents IRONBOUND
Ironbound made its premiere at the New Works Festival at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. It was produced later at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland and made its Off-Broadway debut at the Rattlestick Playwright's Theatre.
It would go on to win the Helen Hayes Award in 2016 for Outstanding Original New Play, the David Calicchio Emerging American Playwright Award, and the Global Age Project Prize.
The story goes as such: At a bus stop in a run-down New Jersey town, Darja, a Polish immigrant cleaning lady, is done talking about feelings; it's time to talk money. Over the course of 20 years, three relationships, and three presidents, Darja negotiates for her future with men who can offer her love or security, but never both. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok's Ironbound is a darkly funny, heartbreaking portrait of a woman for whom love is a luxury-and a liability-as she fights to survive in America.
B Street Theatre strives for diverse programming in its Mainstage Series. For years, B Street Theatre has included one to two dramas along with comedies and experimental plays. In March of this year, B Street produced Dry Powder by Sarah Burgess, a riveting drama about high finance. Now, the second drama at The Sofia will premiere.
A couple of years ago, Dave Pierini read Ironbound soon after its premiere at Steppenwolf. "It's just exquisite writing," says Pierini. "A beautiful story with great characters. It was one of my top choices for the first season at The Sofia."
The play presents a striking protagonist in Darja. Marin Ireland, the actress who originated the role, was acclaimed both in the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times. For B Street Theatre's production, this play was a perfect vehicle for Core Acting Company Member Dana Brooke. "I instantly thought of her," says Dave Pierini.
Dana will be joined by Company Member Peter Story (One Man, Two Guvnors, Airness), along with Sam Kebede (recently in the B Street Theatre production of Airness) and Arusi Santi, who will be making his debut at the B Street Theatre.
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