BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK    OPENS AT THE STAGECRAFTERS ON JUNE 10

PHILADELPHIA/REGIONAL PREMIERE

“By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” a biting comedic satire from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lynn Nottage, opens at The Stagecrafters Theater on Friday, June 10th. Vera Stark, aspiring film actress, is determined and talented, but, in 1933 Hollywood, a woman of color is offered a string of roles as slaves, maids, cooks, and mammies. Public recognition of her contribution to the arts emerges only after several decades in the business, when she is invited to appear on a popular television talk show, and some years later, when she becomes the subject of a cinematic retrospective and academic symposium. This life story of a Black actress in America is bitter, but also wildly humorous – a full-blown lampoon that takes on old-time Hollywood, latter-day pop culture, and private and public hypocrisies.
Lynn Nottage (b. 1964) over the past two decades has authored nearly a dozen plays that have achieved wide recognition. Included in these works are Mud, River, Stone (1997),  Intimate Apparel (2003), and Ruined (2008) for which she had been awarded the Pulitzer Prize, as well as for her most recent play, Sweat (2015),also awarded the Pulitzer Prize. By the Way, Meet Vera Stark premiered Off Broadway in 2011 at Second Stage in New York and went on to productions at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles (2012) and the Goodman Theatre in Chicago (2013). In 2012 the play was nominated for several awards from Drama Desk, including that for Outstanding Play.

We are pleased and honored to be presenting this play in its Philadelphia and regional premiere. Performance dates are June 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 at 8 p.m., June 12, 19, 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at $21 online, $25 At-door. (Thu. eve performances 2 for $32 online, 2 for $35 at door) Students with valid ID $15 At-door. Group rates available. The box office opens 45 minutes before each performance. For information call 215-247-8881; for reservations-direct call 215-247-9913. The theater is located in the heart of Chestnut Hill at 8130 Germantown Ave. Visit website for details: www.thestagecrafters.org.

NOTE: please check website at www.thestagecrafters.org/covid/ for The Stagecrafters’ up to date COVID policy, as there may be changes.