5-30-08: Campbell, Hamilton, Warren and Weiss Cast in Barfield's "Of Equal Measure"
By Andrew Gans
Casting has been announced for the world premiere of Tanya Barfield's Of Equal Measure, which is scheduled to begin previews June 29 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in California.
Directed by Leigh Silverman, the Center Theatre Group production will officially open July 11 and play a limited engagement through July 27.
The cast will boast Christian Campbell, Dennis Cockrum, Scott Dawson, LisaGay Hamilton, Michael Hyland, Joseph C. Phillips, Lawrence Pressman, T. Ryder Smith, Christopher Warren and Michael T. Weiss.
Set in World War I America, Of Equal Measure, press notes state, "provides an illuminating perspective of the Woodrow Wilson presidency as viewed through the character of Jade Kingston (LisaGay Hamilton), an African American stenographer working in the White House. Jade witnesses first-hand the paradox of Wilson bringing the United States into the 'Great War' in order that 'the world be made safe for democracy,' while trampling civil rights at home by ordering the segregation of black federal employees and imprisoning individuals critical of the war effort. The effects that these actions have on Jade, her job, her family and her country fuel a compelling story that resonates socially and politically today."
The production will feature set design by Richard Hoover and Sybil Wickersheimer, costume design by Rachel Myers, lighting design by Lap Chi Chu, sound design by Adam Phalen and projection design by Jason H. Thompson. Kathryn Bostic has composed the original music; Elizabeth Atkinson is stage manager.
The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, CA. Tickets are on sale now by calling (213) 628-2772 or by visiting www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.

"Of Equal Measure"
World Premiere June 29 - July 27, 2008
Kirk Douglas Theatre (next to the Sony Studios in downtown Culver City)
9820 Washington Blvd. @ Duquesne
Culver City, CA 90232
Global, domestic, and personal responsibility - Jade Kingston is an ambitious African-American stenographer in the Woodrow Wilson White House with behind the scenes access. This president is the man who enters the US into World War I in order that the world "be made safe for democracy." He also is the one who begins instituting segregationist policies and trampling civil liberties. In this increasingly complex modern world, Jade finds the need to make a choice between protecting her job, her brother, and her own sense of America's duty to its citizens and to the world abroad.
Credits :
By Tanya Barfield
Directed by Leigh Silverman
Of Equal Measure is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award.
Performance Length: To be announced
Ticket Price: $20 - $40
Special Events: Deaf Audience Theatre Experience and Audio Described performance: Sat, Jul 26 mat ; Neighborhood Night: Sat, Jul 5 @ 8PM
The Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City is our most intimate theatre with seating for just 300 in a two level configuration: Main Floor and Gallery. The Douglas is fully accessible and provides Phonic Ear sound system headsets for the hard of hearing.

6-11-08: The Center Theatre Group has updated its website with more about the story of the play, compleat credits, and the full cast list in alphabetical order. Still no info about Michael T. Weiss' role though.
A riveting new play from one of the theatre's rising stars
With Europe on the brink of social and political crisis, Woodrow Wilson's cabinet debates going to war and which side to take. At home, the administration's segregationist policies contrast American democratic values—a fact not lost on Jade Kingston (LisaGay Hamilton), an ambitious African-American stenographer employed in the White House, and her brother, Eugene, an aspiring artist with big dreams. As World War I rapidly approaches, Jade faces difficult choices that could compromise her career, challenge her spirit and threaten her own ideals of America's duty to its citizens and its place as a world power.

6-17-08: LisaGay Hamilton Exits Of Equal Measure Premiere; Michole Briana White Takes Over
By Kenneth Jones
Michole Briana White has joined the cast of the world premiere play Of Equal Measure, at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, replacing the previously announced LisaGay Hamilton, who left due to personal reasons.
The Tanya Barfield play, set during World War I, opens July 11 in Los Angeles, and continues through July 27. Previews begin June 29.
The drama is the final production of the Kirk Douglas Theatre's 2007-2008 season. It was commissioned by Center Theatre Group, which operates the intimate Kirk Douglas.
Leigh Silverman directs Christian Campbell, Dennis Cockrum, Scott Dawson, Michael Hyland, Joseph C. Phillips, Lawrence Pressman, T. Ryder Smith, Christopher Warren and Michael T. Weiss.
According to CTG, "Of Equal Measure, set in World War I America, provides an illuminating perspective of the Woodrow Wilson presidency as viewed through the character of Jade Kingston (White), an African American stenographer working in the White House. Jade witnesses first-hand the paradox of Wilson bringing the United States into the 'Great War' in order that 'the world be made safe for democracy,' while trampling civil rights at home by ordering the segregation of black federal employees and imprisoning individuals critical of the war effort. The effects that these actions have on Jade, her job, her family and her country fuel a compelling story that resonates socially and politically today."
The creative team includes set designers Richard Hoover and Sybil Wickersheimer, costume designer Rachel Myers, lighting designer Lap Chi Chu, sound designer Adam Phalen, projection designer Jason H. Thompson and composer Kathryn Bostic. The production stage manager is Elizabeth Atkinson.
The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA. For ticket information, call (213) 628-2772 or visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.

6-23-08: More on Of Equal Measure
The Center Theatre Group has updated its website for "Of Equal Measure" again, now with the full cast list in alphabetical order and their role names (but I stll have no idea what kind of character Michael plays), and a bit more on the contents of the story:

With the nation on the brink of World War I, one woman's personal battle begins.
A riveting new play from one of the theatre's rising stars.
Europe is close to social and political crisis. Woodrow Wilson's cabinet debates going to war and which side to take. At home, the administration's segregationist policies contrast American democratic values—a fact not lost on Jade Kingston, an ambitious African-American stenographer employed in the White House, and her brother, Eugene, an aspiring artist with big dreams. As World War I rapidly approaches, Jade faces difficult choices that could compromise her career, challenge her spirit and threaten her own ideals of America's duty to its citizens and its place as a world power.

Credits:
By Tanya Barfield
Directed by Leigh Silverman
Set Design Richard Hoover and Sibyl Wickersheimer
Costume Design Rachel Myers
Lighting Design Lap Chi Chu
Sound Design Adam Phalen
Projection Design Jason H. Thompson
Original Music Kathryn Bostic

With:
Dennis Cockrum (Robert Lansing)
JD Cullum (Joseph Tumulty)
Scott Dawson
Michael Hyland
Joseph C. Phillips (David Leonard)
Lawrence Pressman (President Woodrow Wilson)
T. Ryder Smith (Mr. Plank)
Christopher O'neal Warren (Eugene Kingston)
Michael T. Weiss (Edward Christianson)
Michole Briana White (Jade Kingston)

Special Events:
Deaf Audience Theatre Experience and Audio Described performance: Sat, July 26 mat
Tuesday Talkbacks: July 15 & 22 - Join us for a lively discussion with the cast or artistic staff following the performance
Neighborhood Night: Sat, July 5 @ 8PM
The program magazine is now available for download.

For more about the play and its writer Tanya Barfield see the Theatre Communications Group.

See some production stills here.