Geffen Playhouse announced the full cast for its world premiere of Black Cypress Bayou, written by Kristen Adele Calhoun (HBO’s Sula, BLKNWS) and directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene (Hamilton: An American Musical, Rent).
![PHOTO: provided by Geffen Playhouse | The South Pasadenan | Actress Amber Chardae Robinson](https://southpasadenan.com/wp-content/uploads/south-pasadena-news-01-22-2024-black-cypress-bayou-amber_chardae_robinson.jpg)
The cast includes Amber Chardae Robinson (Judas and the Black Messiah, 80 for Brady) as Taysha Hunter; Brandee Evans (P-Valley, The Fabulous Four) as LadyBird “Lady” Manifold; Angela Lewis (Snowfall, Milk Like Sugar) as RaeMeka “Meka” Manifold-Baler; and Kimberly Scott (Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Sweat) as Vernita Manifold.
![PHOTO: Kelly Balch | The South Pasadenan | Actor Brandee Evans](https://southpasadenan.com/wp-content/uploads/south-pasadena-news-01-22-2024-black-cypress-bayou-brandee_evans_-_photo_by_kelly_balch.jpg)
Previews for Black Cypress Bayou begin Wednesday, February 7, 2024, in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at Geffen Playhouse. Opening night is Thursday, February 15, 2024.
![PHOTO: Tommy Flanagan | The South Pasadenan | Actor Angela Lewis](https://southpasadenan.com/wp-content/uploads/south-pasadena-news-01-22-2024-black-cypress-bayou-angela_lewis_-_photo_by_tommy_flanagan.jpg)
On a hot summer night in Texas, Vernita Manifold summons her two daughters down to the bayou with a secret too big to keep. The richest, meanest man in town is dead, and the Manifold women know more than they’re saying. As secrets begin to surface, the bonds between the women, their town, and the legacy of their ancestors all come to a head. Black Cypress Bayou is a hilarious, suspenseful world premiere about loyalty, healing, and comeuppance.
Recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. Major support for this world premiere production provided by the Edgerton Foundation New Play Production Fund. This production is made possible, in part, by support from Cast Iron Entertainment.
![PHOTO: Lelund Durond Thompson | The South Pasadenan | Acotr Kimberly Scott.](https://southpasadenan.com/wp-content/uploads/south-pasadena-news-01-22-2024-black-cypress-bayou-kimberly_scott_lelund_durond_thompson.jpg)
BLACK CYPRESS BAYOU
Written by Kristen Adele Calhoun
Directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene
Previews: February 7, 2024 – February 14, 2024
Opening Night: February 15, 2024
Closing Night: March 17, 2024
CAST
Amber Chardae Robinson as Taysha Hunter
Brandee Evans as LadyBird “Lady” Manifold
Angela Lewis as RaeMeka “Meka” Manifold-Baler
Kimberly Scott as Vernita Manifold
![PHOTO: Stan Demidoff | The South Pasadenan | Writer Kristen Adele Calhoun](https://southpasadenan.com/wp-content/uploads/south-pasadena-news-01-22-2024-black-cypress-bayou-kristen_adele_calhoun_-_photo_by_stan_demidoff.jpg)
PRODUCTION TEAM
Scenic Designer Lawrence E. Moten III
Costume Designer Mylette Nora
Lighting Designer Donny Jackson
Sound Design & Music by Everett Elton Bradman
Associate Director Velani Dibba
Dramaturg Lindsay A. Jenkins
Casting Director Phyllis Schuringa, CSA
![PHOTO: Eric Richardson | The South Pasadenan | Director Tiffany Nichole Greene](https://southpasadenan.com/wp-content/uploads/south-pasadena-news-01-22-2024-black-cypress-bayou-tiffany_nichole_greene_-_photo_by_eric_richardson.jpg)
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Monday, Tuesday No performance
Wednesday – Friday 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 3:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets currently priced at $30.00 – $129.00. Available by phone at 310.208.2028 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org. Fees may apply.
All Geffen Playhouse productions are intended for an adult audience; children under ten years of age will not be admitted.
Rush tickets for each day’s performance are made available to the general public one hour before showtime at the box office. $35.00 General/$15.00 Student.
COLLEGE AUDIENCES
Through a variety of events and other opportunities, Geffen Playhouse welcomes college students to experience the live storytelling presented on our stages. We are proud of our association with UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, and open our doors to all college students throughout Los Angeles. More information is available at www.geffenplayhouse.org/college.