We are excited to share our 2022-23 season, programming with, by, and for the Greater New Haven community. Our 58th season will be presented in three acts, honoring our history and legacy while celebrating the beginning of our next chapter. It features a vibrant mix of new play and concert readings on the Claire Tow Stage, virtual programming, a musical performed throughout New Haven, and collaborations with community partners.

Season highlights include a concert production of Jelly’s Last Jam, a production of Live From the Edge by Long Wharf Theatre’s Mellon Foundation playwrights-in-residence UNIVERSES, Members-only events, and much more.

Black Trans Women at the Center
New Play Readings // Virtual
Directed and Co-Produced by Dane Figueroa Edidi
August 3, 2022; available on-demand until August 6, 2022

In its third year, Dane Figueroa Edidi leads this annual festival of new work by Black trans women, featuring plays by Andrea Jenkins, Bl3ssing Oshun Ra, Danielle Davis, and Davia Spain. The program will include a post-performance panel discussion with the writers, directors, and dramaturg.

Dignity, Always Dignity
A Work-in-Process Sharing // 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven
By Bryce Pinkham, Zachary Fine, Rona Siddiqui, and Kirya Traber
Music and Lyrics by Rona Siddiqui
Directed by Zach Fine
Dramaturgy by Kirya Traber
Performed by Bryce Pinkham
September 10-11, 2022

Stranded alone on an island a former Broadway star sets his sights on performing one last show before the waters swallow him up. Come experience this new play currently in development starring Tony-nominated actor Bryce Pinkham.

Jelly’s Last Jam
Concert Reading // 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven
Book by George C. Wolfe
Music by Jelly Roll Morton
Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead
Musical Adaptation and Additional Music Composed by Luther Henderson
Directed by Dennis Whitehead Darling
Creative Consultation by Patricia McGregor
September 17-18, 2022

At the birth of jazz in the early 20th century, one man led the band. The legendary Jelly Roll Morton revolutionized American music like no one before him. His life—the dizzying heights and inconceivable lows—becomes a thrilling theatrical ride in Jelly’s Last Jam. With an electrifying cast and a red-hot band, this concert reading will celebrate New Haven’s history of jazz in the historic Dixwell neighborhood in partnership with New Haven Free Public Library (Stetson Library Branch).

Flying  Bird’s Diary
A Play Reading // 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven
By Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel
Directed by Madeline Sayet
October 22-23, 2022

The story of a true Connecticut hero, Flying Bird aka Fidelia Fielding/Jeets Bodernashor (1827-1908). We first encounter Flying Bird, as a young Mohegan girl, in the 1800s, in a world attempting to erase everything she believes in. As the years pass, Flying Bird faces seemingly impossible obstacles but never loses sight of her goal: to save her language and culture against all odds.

Home(coming): Farewell + Block Party
Community Event // 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven
Created and curated by Jenny Koons
October 14-15, 2022

Together we will say goodbye to our home of nearly 60 years and build a collective dream for the future with our community. With us, we take the best parts of our history: our stories, our relationships, and memories of our extraordinary body of work. This fall we begin writing the next chapters of our story.

I AM: Muslim/American
Film + Dialogue
By Aaliyah Miller
Directed by Halima Flynn
2023

This community-based project aims to share stories of Muslim Americans, showcase their experiences, and begin meaningful dialogue with Muslim and non-Muslim communities throughout Connecticut. This film, I AM: American/Muslim, is based on interviews with Muslim Americans, centering around a “Muslim mosaic” and painting the truth in contrast to the frequent demonization of Muslims in the media.

Live From the Edge
Production // In-Person, Space Ballroom
Created and performed by UNIVERSES
Featuring Mellon Foundation playwrights in residence Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz-Sapp
April 27-May 21, 2023

A production by Long Wharf Theatre’s Mellon Foundation playwrights-in-residence, UNIVERSES, Live From the Edge will showcase the ensemble’s special brand of fusion theatre in a “best of” evening that tracks the evolution of their poetic language from childhood rhymes and community rituals, to poetry and theatre, hip-hop and gospel. Redefining what theatre is and who it speaks to, Live From the Edge is a unique performance event that turns the poem into a communal act. Steven and Mildred will have the opportunity to explore different neighborhoods in New Haven to find the right artistic container to present this work, demonstrating this new model’s ability to give power back to creators in determining how and where their works will be presented.

In addition, Long Wharf Theatre will sustain its year-round investments in new work for the American stage, productions created in partnership with community members, and special events for members. These activities include:

Play Club, a book club—but with plays!—exploring Long Wharf Theatre’s history alongside plays under consideration for future production with members of Long Wharf Theatre’s Artistic team. This is a Members-only event. (Virtual)

New play commissioning and development, seeding a new canon of American plays and musicals. Artists under commission and in development include Tea Alagić, Jo Lampert and Deb Barsha, Guadalís Del Carmen, Anyabwile Love, Raja Feather Kelly, Ricardo Peréz González, Terrence Riggins, Madeline Sayet, Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, Madeleine Hutchins, Candy Testa, Ruth Tang, Rhiana Yazzie, Radical Evolution, and the artistic collective UNIVERSES (Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz-Sapp), among others. Long Wharf Theatre is also embarking on co-commissioning partnerships with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and NAATCO (National Asian American Theatre Company).

We welcome you to join Long Wharf Theatre as a sustaining Member. For a recurring monthly gift of $10 or a one-time annual gift of $120, you will receive first access to tickets for our 2022-23 season, along with deep discounts ($35 admission for you and your guests, including fees!) and unique opportunities to be in community with Long Wharf Theatre’s staff, artists, and collaborators. Become a Member today!