Bringing a Play to the Big Stage…and small stages…and free stages

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Once Upon a Time…

Bringing a Play to the Big Stage…and small stages…and free stages

October 1st is Nigerian Independence Day. This year, it also marked the kick-off of an impressive theatrical endeavor across Boston.

The Ufot Family Cycle is a series of nine plays written by Mfoniso Udofia, that follow three generations of a Nigerian-American family. Ms. Udofia, an American of Nigerian descent, grew up in Southbridge, MA and attended Wellesley College before heading west to American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and a theatrical career that has taken her all over the country.

Over the next two years, thirty-three Boston-area organizations will collaboratively produce all nine of Ms. Udofia’s Ufot Family Cycle plays at a variety of local theaters, as well as in pop-up locations throughout the city. The scope of this undertaking was on full display on October 1, when The Huntington invited a crowd of philanthropic and theatrical folks to attend the first rehearsal of the first play of the cycle: Sojourners, which will run at The Huntington’s main theater from October 31-December 1, 2024.

Over a hundred people convened at the Michael Maso Studio for the noteworthy kickoff. The opening portion of the event included an overview of the entire cycle by Huntington Director of New Work, Charles Haugland, followed by introductions by playwright Udofia, and director Dawn M. Simmons, as well as presentations from the set, sound, and costume designers. I’m usually allergic to the workshop tradition of going around the room and introducing ourselves, especially with such a big crowd, but the breadth of representation at this event was so remarkable, I was fascinated to learn everyone’s involvement in this massive undertaking.

Afterward, playwright, director, and cast; dramaturg, dialogue coach, and assistants sat around a large table, while the rest of us circled our chairs and listened to the first read-through. In keeping with Loretta Greco’s (Artistic Director, The Huntington) winking comments to the press that no form of review is allowed, I will only say that the language of this play is beautiful, and I am looking forward to see it fully staged.

Walking home from the event I was struck by the complexity of putting together a work of theater: so many more people than we ever see on stage pooling their talents in light and prop, dress and sound to reinforce the words, movement, and emotions expressed on stage. Then, that fascination was eclipsed by the sheer wonder of undertaking this entire nine-play cycle. It’s a privilege, and a phenomenon, to live in a time and place where, within our culture of divisiveness and complaint, we can come together to create such a huge piece of art that celebrates our freshest Americans.