NASHVILLE, TN — Nashville Repertory Theatre continues their 39th Season with Paula Vogel’s acclaimed play Indecent at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center from February 2nd to the 11th. Indecent is a love letter to the power of theatre, a cautionary tale of the consequences of censorship, and a reminder that love always triumphs over hate.
Inspired by the true events surrounding a controversial 1923 Broadway play, Paula Vogel’s Indecent tells the behind-the-scenes story of the courageous artists who risked their lives to perform a work deemed “indecent” as it journeyed from Warsaw, Poland, to Broadway in the early 20th century.
“Everyone at Nashville Rep is incredibly excited to bring this little-known true story to our community,” says Executive Director Drew Ogle. “The themes are both timely and timeless.”
In Indecent, an ensemble of 10 actors and musicians plays over 40 different roles following the trajectory of Sholem Asch’s controversial play God of Vengeance, one of the first plays by a Jewish playwright to open on Broadway. With a klezmer-infused score filled with joyous songs and dances, this play invites audiences to explore themes of love, strength in community, and taking a stand in the face of censorship.
“One hundred years later, we’re still fighting the same battles. Censorship is rampant in our society,” say director Micah-Shane Brewer. “We’re facing an unprecedented resurgence in anti-semitism. Laws are being passed all across our country solely for the purpose of marginalizing certain populations.”
Indecent was praised by critics when it debuted Off-Broadway in 2016, Charles Isherwood of The New York Times called it “a powerful new play.”
The cast features exceptional talents including Thomas DeMarcus as Lemml/Stage Manger, Delaney Amatrudo as Chana, Dustin Davis as Avram, Sarah Aili as Halina, Galen Fott as Mendel, Rona Carter as Vera, and Garris Wimmer as Otto. The production also features three musicians Trevor Targowski as Mayer Balsam the clarinet player, Laurie Canaan as Nelly Friedman the violinist, and Eric Sorrels as the accordion player.
The production features scenic design by Gary C. Hoff, costumes designed by Heather McDevitt Barton, lighting designed by Phillip Franck, sound designed by Kevin O’Donnell, projections designed by Cody Stockstill, stage managed by Isaac Krispin, and music directed by Randy Craft.
Nashville Repertory Theatre brings to life this impactful narrative in the Andrew Johnson Theater within the Tennessee Performing Arts Center at 505 Deaderick Street. Secure your tickets today at www.nashvillerep.org.
The remainder of Nashville Repertory Theatre’s 23/24 Season includes the musical The Color Purple based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and the regional premiere of a comedy fresh from Broadway, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. For Nashville Repertory Theatre 2023-2024 season tickets and information, visit www.nashvillerep.org.
The Nashville Rep has been named Best Professional Theatre by the Nashville Scene, Best Local Theatre by The Tennessean, Largest Arts Organization by Nashville Business Journal, and recognized by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for 35 years of service to the community. The Rep’s shows, actors, directors, and designers have been honored by Nfocus, Nashville Scene, The Tennessean, and the First Night Awards among others.
