Vera Stark | Goodman Theatre

Invite

April 27 - June 2, 2013 In the Albert
Approximate running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission

Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Ruined) pulls the curtain back on old Hollywood in her latest play, a sly satire hailed as “not-to-be-missed” by Vogue.

This “sharp-toothed comedy” (The Wall Street Journal) offers a glimpse into the life of Vera Stark, a headstrong African American actress who begins a career in the 1930s, at a time when her only shot at success lay in stealing small scenes in big Hollywood blockbusters. Seventy years later, film buffs are left to reflect on the life and legacy of this controversial star, whose eventual fame and fortune came at the price of perpetuating dangerous stereotypes. Hilarious and poignant, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark paints a vivid picture of the cultural climate that shaped this mysterious screen queen—and wonders who, in another time, she might have been.

Groups of 10 or more save on single tickets. Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Groups or email Groups@GoodmanTheatre.org for rates and availability.

Lynn Nottage
Playwright
Chuck Smith
Director
Patrick Clear
Mr. Slasvick/Brad Donovan
Chiké Johnson
Leroy Barksdale/Herb
TaRon Patton
Lottie McBride/Carmen Levy-Green
Tamberla Perry
Vera Stark
Ron Rains
Maximillian Von Oster/Peter Rhys-Davies
Amelia Workman
Anna Mae Simpkins/Afua Assata Ejobo
Kara Zediker
Gloria Mitchell
Riccardo Hernández
Set Design
Birgit Rattenborg Wise
Costume Design
Robert Christen
Lighting Design
Joshua Horvath
Sound Design
Ray Nardelli
Sound Design
Mike Tutaj
Projection Design
Neena Arndt
Dramaturg
Joseph Drummond
Production Stage Manager
Rebecca Louise Fischer
Stage Manager
Adam Belcuore
Casting

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The Making of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
Watch special behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and creative team of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark is an Audience Hit!
Hear what audiences have to say about Lynn Nottage's Hollywood satire.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark: Interview with Director Chuck Smith
Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Ruined) pulls the curtain back on old Hollywood in her latest play, a sly satire hailed as "not-to-be-missed" by Vogue. Director Chuck Smith talks about the play's importance today and why audiences will enjoy it.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Teaser Trailer
Take a look at this special teaser for director Chuck Smith's upcoming production of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Lynn Nottage.

See All Videos

By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) and Kara Zediker (Gloria Mitchell) on the set of The Belle of New Orleans in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Kara Zediker (Gloria Mitchell) and Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
(from left to right) Patrick Clear (Mr. Slasvick), Amelia Workman (AnnaMae Simpkins), Kara Zediker (Gloria Mitchell), Ron Rains (Maximillian Von Oster) and Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Kara Zediker (Gloria Mitchell) in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
TaRon Patton (Lottie McBride) and Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Ron Rains (Maximillian Von Oster), Amelia Workman (AnnaMae Simpkins), Kara Zediker (Gloria Mitchell) and Patrick Clear (Mr. Slasvick) in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Chiké Johnson (Leroy Barksdale) and Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Kara Zediker (Gloria Mitchell) and Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) on The Brad Donovan Show in 1973 in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Patrick Clear (Brad Donovan), Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) and Ron Rains (Peter Rhys-Davies) on The Brad Donovan ShowM in 1973 in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Chiké Johnson (Herb) leading a panel discussion in 2003 about Vera Stark in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
Amelia Workman (Afua Assata Ejobo) on a panel discussion in 2003 about Vera Stark in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Production Photos
TaRon Patton (Carmen Levy-Green) on a panel discussion in Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark directed by Chuck Smith.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Rehearsal Photos
Director Chuck Smith in rehearsal for Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Rehearsal Photos
Director Chuck Smith and Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) in rehearsal for Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Rehearsal Photos
Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) and Patrick Clear (Mr. Slasvick) in rehearsal for Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Rehearsal Photos
(L to R): TaRon Patton (Lottie McBride), Amelia Workman (Anna Mae Simpkins), Ron Rains (Maximillian Von Oster), Kara Zediker (Gloria Mitchell), Patrick Clear (Mr. Slasvick) and Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) in rehearsal for Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Rehearsal Photos
(L to R): Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) and Kara Zediker (Gloria Mitchell) in rehearsal for Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Rehearsal Photos
Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark) and TaRon Patton (Lottie McBride) in rehearsal for Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Rehearsal Photos
Patrick Clear (Mr. Slasvick) and Kara Zediker (Gloria Mitchell) in rehearsal for Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Rehearsal Photos
Amelia Workman (Anna Mae Simpkins) and Patrick Clear (Mr. Slasvick) in rehearsal for Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark Rehearsal Photos
Tamberla Perry (Vera Stark), TaRon Patton (Lottie McBride) and Ron Rains (Maximillian Von Oster) in rehearsal for Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.