Nell Gwynn (2019)
Folger Theatre produced Nell Gwynn by Jessica Swale, original music by Kim Sherman, directed by Robert Richmond, from January 29th 2019 - March 9th 2019.
Synopsis
An orange seller from the streets of Drury Lane steps onto the stage and becomes the darling of the Restoration theater. Nell discovers one of her biggest fans is none other than Charles II. Smitten with Nell’s spirit, the king brings her to court as a favorite mistress. Commissioned by Shakespeare's Globe, this sparkling portrait of a rare woman earned accolades in London, including the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. This heart-warming and hilarious look at an amazing woman of her—or any—age is “a roaring good time” (DC Theatre Scene).
Production
Entertainment unions represented in Folger Theatre productions include The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (**), United Scenic Artists (***), and the Actors' Equity Association (*), which includes members of the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.
Cast
- Regina Aquino*, Lady Castlemaine & Louise de Keroualle
- Caitlin Cisco*, Rose Gwynn
- Kevin Collins, Musician
- Christopher Dinolfo*, Edward Kynaston
- Catherine Flye*, Nancy & Ma Gwynn
- R. J. Foster*, King Charles II
- Quinn Franzen*, Charles Hart
- Michael Glenn*, John Dryden
- Nigel Gore*, Thomas Killigrew
- Jeff Keogh*, Lord Arlington
- Alison Luff*, Nell Gwynn
- Alex Michell, Ned Spigget
- Zoe Speas, Queen Catherine, Musician
Understudies
- Kimberly Braun, Nell Gwynn
- Darrell Johnston, Charles Hart & King Charles II
- Ned Read, John Dryden
- Kevin Collins, Lord Arlington & Thomas Killigrew
- Jack Schmitt, Edward Kynaston & Ned Spigget
- Robin Weiner, Musicians
- Julie Weir, Lady Castlemaine & Louise de Keroualle
- Renee Elizabeth Wilson, Rose Gwynn & Queen Catherine
- Miranda Zola Nancy & Ma Gwynn
Creative Team
- Jessica Swale, Playwright
- Robert Richmond**, Director
- Kim Sherman, Original Music
- Tony Cisek***, Scenic Design
- Mariah Anzaldo Hale***, Costume Design
- Andrew F. Griffin***, Lighting Design
- Matt Otto***, Sound Design
- Michele Osherow, Resident Dramaturg
- Eisenburg/Beans Casting, New York Casting
- Teresa Wood & Manna-Symone Middlebrooks, Folger Casting
- Diane Healy*, Production Stage Manager
- Jessica Short*, Assistant Stage Manager
Production Team
- Jennifer Hopkins, Assistant Director
- Christina Miller, Production Assistant
- Zoe Speas, Music Captain
- Fabiolla de Silva, Portuguese Dialect Coach
- Katharine Pitt, French Dialect Coach
- Bella Faccia, Inc., Set Construction
- Jonathan Dahm Robertson, Assistant Scenic Designer
- Ansaldo Costume & Denise Wagner, Costume Construction
- Vlada Pakhomova, Props Master
- Adele Gresock, Millinery
- Anne Nesmith, Wig Designer
- Ali Pohanka, Wig Assistnat
- Cidney Forkpah, Wardrobe Head
- Erin Flemming, Assistant Lighting Designer
- Alex Keen, Master Electrician
- Kristen Roth, Assistant Master Electrician
- Brandon Roe, Sound Engineer
- Courtney Hammond, For Eisenberg/Bean Casting Casting Assistant
- Erica Power, Casting Intern
- Grafik, Graphic Design & Advertising Agency
- Emily Tartanella, Marketing Design Consultant
- Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography, Promotional and Production Photography
- WAPAVA, Archival Video
- APTV, Mark Fastoso, & Lee Fanning, Promotional and Production Video
- C2, Open Captioning
Folger Theatre
- Janet Alexander Griffin, Artistic Producer
- Beth Emelson, Associate Artistic Producer
- David Polk, General Manager
- Charles Flye, Theatre Production Manager
- Rebekah Sheffer, Assistant Technical Director
Other Media
Reviews
"There's not much more you can ask for ... perfect for a 21st-century date" - Washington City Paper
“Loving and resplendent … a romantic comedy of the highest order” – DCist
“Nothing short of miraculous … A joyful visit to our theatrical past” – BroadwayWorld, DC
"I thought it was great fun" - WETA Television's Around Town
“There’s so much that’s irresistible about Nell Gwynn … a roaring good time” – DC Theatre Scene
“Visually opulent … and full of wicked fun” – DC Metro Theater Arts
“Nell Gwynn is ultimately irresistible … Jessica Swale’s script truly sparkles” – TheatreBloom
Alison Luff is “sparkling” as Nell Gwynn – Brightest Young Things
"It's easy to see why both king and audience are smitten" with Nell Gwynn - Washington Blade
“Bold, bawdy entertainment ... sidesplitting” – MD Theatre Guide
“A Valentine to the magic of an independent woman … as close to perfect as you can get” – The Hill is Home
"A thoroughly entertaining spectacle ... do not miss this production" - BroadwayWorld, Baltimore
“Exuberant and hilarious … a true gift to theater lovers everywhere” – Plays To See
"A moving and passionate story of an incredible woman" - The Sentinel Newspapers
"Hilarious ... Nell Gwynn is exceptional" - The Culpeper Times
Images
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. Leading actor Charles Hart (Quinn Franzen) gives Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) acting lessons.
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. Orange seller Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff, center) addresses the King’s Acting Company backstage in Folger Theatre’s Nell Gwynn. (Pictured left to right: Nigel Gore, Catherine Flye, Kevin Collins, Christopher Dinolfo, Alex Michell, Michael Glenn.)
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. King Charles II (R.J. Foster) shares a private moment with his mistress, Lady Castlemaine (Regina Aquino) in Jessica Swale’s Nell Gwynn.
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) rehearses with her scene partner Charles Hart (Quinn Franzen).
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. “They’ve put a woman on the stage!” Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) becomes a stage sensation in England. (Also pictured left to right: Catherine Flye, Quinn Franzen, Christopher Dinolfo, Kevin Collins.)
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. The King’s Company in performance. Pictured left to right: Alex Michell, Caitlin Cisco, Catherine Flye, Christopher Dinolfo, Nigel Gore.
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. Actor Charles Hart (Quinn Franzen) takes center stage, as the rest of the Company looks on (left to right: Catherine Flye, Alex Michell, Caitlin Cisco, Christopher Dinolfo, Nigel Gore, Zoe Speas).
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. The King’s Company in performance (left to right: Caitlin Cisco, Quinn Franzen, Christopher Dinolfo)
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. King Charles II (R.J. Foster, left) consults with Lord Arlington (Jeff Keogh) on matters of the court.
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) entertains a new fan—King Charles II (R.J. Foster)—backstage.
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. R.J. Foster as King Charles II in Folger Theatre’s comedy Nell Gwynn.
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. Alison Luff as orange seller turned English acting sensation Nell Gwynn in Jessica Swale’s award-winning comedy.
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) is an overnight hit of the English stage (with musicians left to right: Zoe Speas and Kevin Collins).
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. King Charles II (R.J. Foster, above) looks down on Lord Arlington (Jeff Keogh).
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. Rose Gwynn (Caitlin Cisco, left) shares a somber moment with her sister Nell (Alison Luff).
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography. Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff) stands alone on stage.
Photo by Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet Photography.
- Nell Gwynn (Alison Luff, center) in a dramatic performance on stage, with fellow actors (left to right: Catherine Flye, Alex Michell, Quinn Franzen) in Folger Theatre’s Nell Gwynn.
