Our Verse in Time to Come (2023)

Equiano Mosieri as SOS and John Floyd as Will. Photo by Peggy Ryan.

Our Verse in Time to Come (2023)

Inspired by the works and words of Shakespeare, Our Verse in Time to Come bridges the past with the present through verse, song and memory, and interrogates whose stories remain and whose role it is to ensure they survive.

An aging emcee, affectionately known as SOS, gets out of prison after 25 years only to be diagnosed with early onset dementia. Realizing it’s his last chance to reconnect with his children, he engages an old family friend and legal ally to arrange his estate and ensure his now grown twins, Vi and Will, accept it before his memory slips away for good.

Reuniting to sort out their father’s inheritance, the estranged siblings uncover more than they bargained for. Along their journey, they meet storytellers who hold pieces of the puzzle that unlock their hearts and offer renewed connection to their heritage, community and father.

Commissioned by the Folger Shakespeare Library to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the printing of Shakespeare’s First Folio, performed as a part of Searching for Shakespeare in partnership with DC Public Library.

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*: Joan Chen
• Renea S. Brown*: Vi Waters
• Jonathan Del Palmer*: Jimmy
• John Floyd*: Will Waters
• Kaiyla Gross*: Griotsprite
• Equiano Mosieri*: SOS
• Reg Wyns*: Black

Creative Team

• Vernice Miller: Director
• Karen Ann Daniels: Playwright and Composer
• Malik Work: Playwright and Music Director
• Devin E. Haqq: Collaborator
• Harlan Penn***: Scenic Designer
• Jeanette Christensen***: Costume Designer
• Nick tha 1da Hernandez: Sound Designer, Composer, and DJ
• Chelsea Dean: Properties Designer
• Angelisa Gillyard: Associate Director
• Kaja Dunn: Intimacy Director
• Danica Rodriguez: Casting Director
• John Ray Proctor III: Dramaturg
• Sarah Reed: Scenic Design Associate
• Cidney Forkpah: Costume Design Associate
• Kate Kilbane*: Production Stage Manager
• Stephanie Smith*: Assistant Stage Manager
• Piper Fyffe: Production Assistant
• Tatenda Rameau: Production Assitant

Understudies

• Sylvern Groomes, Jr.: Jimmy, Will Waters, SOS, Black
• Elizabeth Mpanu-Mpanu: Joan Chen, Vi Waters, Griotsprite

Production Team

• Peter Marengo: Scenic Construction
• Christine Barnette: Scenic Painting
• WAPAVA, Archival Video
• C2, Open Captioning

Folger Theatre

• Karen Ann Daniels, Artistic Director
• Beth Emelson, Director of Producing
• Charles Flye, Production Manager
• Rebekah Sheffer, Assistant Technical Director
• Chanel Johnson, Company Manager
• Cidney Forkpah, Wardrobe Manager
• Heather Newhouse, Patron Services Manager
• Rayna Cook, Box Office Manager
• Danica Zielinski-Natter, Lead House Manager
• Brittany Brown, Lead Box Office Associate

Image Gallery

Photos by: Peggy Ryan

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  Nick tha 1da Hernandez

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  Renea Brown as Serena Waters

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  Kaiyla Gross as Griotsprite and Regina Aquino as Joan Chen

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  John Floyd as Will Waters and Kaiyla Gross as Griotsprite

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  Equiano Mosieri as SOS

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  Jonathan Del Palmer and Reg Wyns

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  The Company of Our Verse in Time to Come

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  Reg Wyns as Black

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  The Company of Our Verse in Time to Come

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  John Floyd as Will Waters

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  Renea Brown as Vi Waters and Kaiyla Gross as Griotsprite

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  Renea Brown as Serena Waters and Equiano Mosieri as SOS

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  Kaiyla Gross, Regina Aquino, John Floyd and Renea Brown

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  John Floyd as Will Waters and Equiano Mosieri as SOS

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  Kaiyla Gross as Griotsprite

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  Reg Wyns as Black

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  Renea Brown as Vi Waters, John Floyd as Will Waters and Equiano Mosieri as SOS

Reviews

• Read DC Theater Arts Inspired by the Bard, ‘Our Verse in Time to Come’ honors DC community legacy