Folger Theatre concludes its homecoming season with Mary Zimmerman’s Tony Award ® -winning play, Metamorphoses. Directed by Psalmayene 24
(Tempestuous Elements at Arena Stage and Good Bones at Studio Theatre), this captivating play situates the timeless tales of Ovid in a modern-day setting. Through a series of interconnected vignettes, the play showcases the transformative power of myths through a rich tapestry exploring themes of love, loss, and the human experience. Folger Theatre’s production sets these stories among the African diaspora, layering in points of connection for audiences
among the universal themes of the play. Metamorphoses is on stage at Folger Theatre from May 7 – June 16, 2024. Tickets are available online at www.folger.edu/meta or by calling the Folger Box Office at (202) 544-7077.
For the first time in Folger Theatre’s history, the production features an all-Black cast. “This production aims to celebrate Black life—and culture—through the protean lens of Mary Zimmerman’s marvelous script,” says Psalmayene 24. “My decision to cast this production with an all-Black ensemble was precipitated by the police killing of Tyre Nichols. His death shattered me. If Mr. Nichols’ unjust and brutal killing reveals anything, it’s that the mechanisms of
American power still devalue Black life. My hope is that through this interpretation of Metamorphoses, DC audiences will gain a greater awareness and appreciation of the universal commonalities that bind us all.”
“Zimmerman’s gorgeous adaptation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses has always poetically centered on the particularities of being human, says Karen Ann Daniels, Folger Director of Programming and Performance and Artistic Director of Folger Theatre. “Psalm’s vision takes it to a new level. By pulling together an all-Black ensemble, he uplifts and celebrates the humanity of black people, our potential for renewal and rebirth, while exploring our collective transformational journey as human beings.”
The extraordinary ensemble of actors in this 90-minute production of Metamorphoses includes familiar Folger faces, as well as a number making their Folger Theatre debut. The cast of gods and mortals features Edwin Brown III, Renea S. Brown, DeJeanette Horne, Yesenia Iglesias, Billie Kirshawn, Manu Kumasi, Miss Kitty, Jon Hudson Odom, Kalen Robinson, Gerrad Taylor, and Renee Elizabeth Wilson.
“Metamorphoses is a compilation of myths that touch the deepest and most elemental parts of our humanity,” adds Psalmayene 24. “These stories remind us of the unchanging nature of human existence. Our love, greed, foolishness, lust, kindness, stubbornness, creativity, violence, and generosity—the things that unite people across the eons—is reflected back to us through the prism of this play.”
Mary Zimmerman originally created Metamorphoses with students at Northwestern University and the play had its first professional production in 1998. Following a tour at several regional theaters across the country, Metamorphoses was produced on Broadway in 2002, garnering a
Tony Award ® for ‘Best Direction,’ as well as numerous other awards.
Ticketing Information & Performance Dates:
Metamorphoses is on stage at Folger Theatre from May 7 through June 16, 2024. Tickets are $20-$84. Discounted preview performances and special rates for patrons under 35, students, seniors, members and family of the military, educators, and groups may be purchased through the Folger Theatre Box Office at (202) 544-7077 or online at www.folger.edu/metamorphoses.
Related Programming:
The Pay-What-You-Will performance is on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30pm. Tickets will be available to the public in-person starting at 5pm. One ticket per person.
Folger Theatre’s Stage Director Talk is on Thursday, May 9 at 6:30pm. Learn about the creative process, history, staging, and vision of Metamorphoses with director Psalmayene 24, alongside choreographer Tony Thomas and costume designer Mika Eubanks, in conversation with Folger Theatre Artistic Director Karen Ann Daniels. $25, with discounts for Folger Subscribers and Members.
The Folger will host its first ever Blackout Night on Thursday, May 16 at 7:30pm. Black- identifying audiences are invited to see the performance this evening, as the Folger joins a growing movement among theaters to allow Black audiences to see themselves in theater spaces.
Inside the Season: Metamorphoses is on Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30pm. Folger Institute Director Patricia Akhimie engages in conversation with dramaturg Faedra Chatard Carpenter (American University), exploring the universal themes of Metamorphoses and the plays that make up Folger Theatre’s 2023/24 “What’s Your Story?” season. Tickets are $25, with
discounts for Folger Subscribers and Members.
Relaxed performances, designed to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for neuro-diverse audiences, are Sunday, May 26 at 7:30pm and Wednesday, June 5 at 2pm.
Audience members are encouraged to stay and take part in our Post-Show Discussion with the Cast of Metamorphoses on Thursday, May 30. This interactive discussion follows the evening’s 7:30pm performance.
Folger Theatre is hosting an Affinity Night, dedicated to celebrating and honoring the LGBTQ+ community. Taking place on Thursday, June 6 at 7:30pm, this special event invites members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community to come together for an evening of inclusivity, camaraderie, and theater.
Folger Theatre has denoted select performances during the 2023/24 season as mask-required by all audience members, staff, and volunteers. Masked Performances for Metamorphoses are Saturday, June 8 at 2pm and 8pm.
Open-Captioned performances are Sunday, June 9 at 2pm and 7:30pm. Open-captioned performances are supported by Vinton and Sigrid Cerf.
Please check the Folger website at www.folger.edu/whats-on/metamorphoses/ for a complete list of related programming and events.
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