Directed by Javier Hurtado
As part of the CSU “Year of Democracy” Lynn Nottage’s play Crumbs from the Table of Joy, promises an examination of progressive issues of the 1950s.
Crumbs from the Table of Joy Dramatist Play Service Synopsis:
Recently widowed Godfrey and his daughters Ernestine and Ermina move from Florida to Brooklyn for a better life. Not knowing how to parent, Godfrey turns to religion, and especially to Father Divine, for answers. The girls absorb their new surroundings, but not necessarily religion. Lily, Godfrey’s sister-in-law, shows up from Harlem, having promised her sister that if anything ever happened, she’d look out for the girls. Lily, while fascinating to her nieces, stands for everything Godfrey dislikes: communism, sexual freedom, and the fight against racial discrimination. As the racial and social issues of the late 1950s escalate, personal issues between Godfrey and Lily explode, prompting him to walk out. A few days later, he returns, with a new wife—a white German immigrant, Gerte. With Godfrey immersed in religion, Lily claiming to be a part of the new revolution, and quiet, stoic Gerte coming from the horrors of Germany, life in the household gets heated.
“Imagine a pairing…between Tennessee Williams and Lorraine Hansberry, a memory play about a black family, a glass menagerie in the sun… CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY [is] a small window into the past, and this almost voyeuristic glimpse is worth attention.” —New York Post.
“…a complex, thought-provoking play…” —Chicago Sun-Times.
Crumbs from the Table of Joy Cast:
Sherri Garrett (Ermina Crump) Garrett is a third year African American/Native American (Chickasaw) student here at Colorado State University specifically attending as a performing Musical Theatre student. She has always had sort of an interest in giving more hidden artist of different diverse backgrounds more exposure. She is also learning about her own voice wherever she can through these groups like On The Brink. She participated and is the 2022 Pageant Royalty at CSU’s Black/African American cultural Center’s Homecoming Pageant that started up to give CSU students of color an opportunity to share culture and information about themselves and their Origins. Now she has been given another opportunity with On the Brink and is excited to not only add to her play write palette but to discuss and start a conversation to others on what these play writers have to offer.
Tessa Snyder (Gerte Schulte) Snyder is a third-year student at Colorado State University, majoring in Theatre Performance and Sound Design. She is very excited to be apart of On The Brink and experience this beautiful script. Tessa has previously been involved in sound design and operation for CSU’s productions, including Machinal (2023), Spring Awakening(2022), TheWolves (2022), Rocky Horror Picture Show (2022) and she is currently sound designing Fairview for Spring 2024. Snyder has previously performed as Cinderella in Cinderella, Lefou in Beauty and The Beast, Fairy May in The Curious Savage, and many more. She would like to thank her incredible friends and family for their endless love and support.
Kaitin Highsmith-Thompson as Lily Ann Green
India Thompson (Ernestine Crump) Thompson is very excited to be a part of this production that challenges people’s thinking and perspectives. She is currently a 3rd year musical theatre major. Some of her past credits includeSpring Awakening (CSU Theatre), Machinal (CSU Theatre), and soon to be a part of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (CSU Theatre). Thank you to her mom and friends for always supporting her dreams.
Kaleb Chaney (Godfrey Crump) Chaney is currently in his fourth year of school majoring in Theater Performance and minoring in Film studies. Some of his past credits include being Tommy Boatwright in The Normal Heart ( Colorado State University), a Phantom in Rocky Horror Picture Show (Colorado State), and a part in the verbatim theater play called It Doesn’t Happen Here (Colorado State University). He thanks his Parents, his sisters, and friends for their support.
The ON THE BRINK Reading Series is aimed at amplifying marginalized voices and exposing students to a diverse array of BIPOC, queer, and women artists from around the nation and the world. Join directors Saffron Henke, Javier Hurtado, and special guests for three exciting productions.