Theater for the New City
Executive Director, Crystal Field
Presents
SOULMAN: The Otis Redding Story
By: Yolanda Rodriguez (from an idea by: Dr. Lloyd Glauberman)
Monday, March 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Part of New City, New Blood Reading Series
FREE
$5 Suggested Donation
Theater for the New City
155 First Avenue (between 9th & 10th Street)
“Soulman: The Otis Redding Story,” is loosely based on the life and career of rhythm and blues singer/songwriter Otis Redding. The play takes place during the Jim Crow era in the South and is paralleled with the beginnings of the civil rights movement in Macon, Georgia.
Cast (in order of appearance):
1. Tessa Grace, stage directions, young college student, KKK congregant
2. Terry Lee King as Mr. Jimmy and Mr. William P. “Daddy Bill” Randall
3. Yvette Dingwall, older Zelma
4. Tyquanda Johnson, as Sandra, church congregant, and Charlayne Hunter
5. Seine Young, Mrs. Jenkins and young Zelma
6. Calebmichael Williams, an offstage radio announcer, Hamp Swain, church congregant, Johnny Jenkins, Thomas, Hamilton Hunter, and Young Otis
7. Robert Henderson, Little Richard, a D.J., Al Jackson, a Stage Announcer
8. King God, Otis Redding
9. James Beecroft, Phil Walden
10.Johnny Gottsegen, Alan “Red” Walden, young teenager (the son of a KKK member)
11. George Prisco, KKK member Sam Bowers, Joe Galkin
12.Phil Oetiker, KKK member Byron De La Beckwith, Edgar Ray Killen, C.B. Walden, Jim Stewart,, radion announcer (pg 94 and pg 104)
13.Danilo Zepeda, KKK member James Ford Seale, young college student
14.Louis Courage, KKK member Charles Marcus Edwards, Steve Cropper
15.Edward Pieczenik, KKK member Thomas Edwin Blanton, Jr., Jerry Wexler, KKK congregant, Lewis Steinberg
16.Lillian Berger, Becky, the KKK nurse, and KKK congregant
17.Nicole Arcieri, Estelle Axton, KKK congregant
18.Gregory Wheeler, Otis Redding, Sr.
19.Back ground music: Joel Diamond
Bio:
Y. Rodriguez is a published, produced and award winning playwright and director. Her book, “Urban Folktales,” a collection of short stories, was released in April 2023. Many of Ms. Rodriguez’s plays were produced and directed by Ms. Crystal Field, co-founder and Artistic Director of the Theater for the New City. Ms. Rodriguez is a professional singer/songwriter and performs with her band AYOKA in venues throughout NYC. music by: Joel Diamond
COVID Protocol:
As of September 26th, 2022, we are no longer requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for our audience upon entry.
Wearing of masks is suggested in the lobby, restrooms and performance spaces at Theater for the New City, but they are not required.