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A Tony and Grammy Award-winning artist directs this story of music, mayhem, and the magic that is Queens
A thrilling world premiere by an exciting new voice, The Purists brings Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots, “Pose” on FX) to the Huntington to direct this soaring new play by Dan McCabe. A former rapper, a DJ, and a showtunes-loving telesales director have become an unlikely group who hang out and spar about music on a stoop in Queens. But when an impromptu rap battle erupts between two younger female emcees, everything gets questioned. With raw emotion and uproarious humor, The Purists asks, what is friendship? How can we embrace new ideas? And what does it mean to be wholly yourself?
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Watch Director Billy Porter's special message about The Purists.
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Watch the teaser trailer for The Purists.
Step into the first rehearsal of The Purists.
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Dan McCabe is a recent graduate of the Lila Acheson Wallace Playwriting Fellowship at The Juilliard School.
Billy Porter previously directed Topdog/Underdog (2017) and The Colored Museum (2015).
Morocco Omari (Lamont) has theatre credits that include A Streetcar Named Desire and A Time to Kill on Broadway.
J Bernard Calloway (Mr. Bugz) appeared on Broadway in Memphis the Musical (Original Broadway Cast, Tony Award for Best Musical) and All the Way (Tony Award for Best Play).
John Scurti (Gerry) has performed on stages from The Actors Playhouse to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to Carnegie Hall, yet The Purists marks his professional theatre debut.
Izzie Steele (Nancy) was last seen on the New York stage at the Atlantic Theater in Caryl Churchill’s critically-acclaimed revival of Cloud 9 after making her off-Broadway debut in the Signature Theatre’s production of What I Did Last Summer.
Analisa Velez (Val) has theatre credits that include Tell Hector I Miss Him (Atlantic Theater Company), Queen Latina in Queen Latina and her Power Posse (Cherry Lane Theatre), Entremeses (INTAR), The Inheritance (The Amoralists), Dolphins & Sharks (The Fire This Time Festival), Tenant Occupied (24 Hour Plays: Nationals), and Broken Motherhood Museum (NuAFrikan Theatre).
Clint Ramos (Scenic Design) previously designed sets and/or costumes for Topdog/Underdog and The Colored Museum (both directed by Billy Porter), as well as after all the terrible things I do, A Raisin in the Sun, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Ruined at the Huntington.
Kara Harmon designed The Niceties (2018) and A Guide for the Homesick (2017) at the Huntington.
Driscoll Otto previously designed lights for Topdog/Underdog (2017) and The Colored Museum (2015) at the Huntington.
Leon Rothenberg designed the sound for Topdog/Underdog and Choice at the Huntington.
Michael “Lofey” Sandlofer (Composer) is a native New Yorker, musician, songwriter, and producer who got his first big break in 1998 when he joined Jay Z on his legendary Hard Knock Life tour.
Alaine Alldaffer is the casting director for Playwrights Horizons, where her credits include Grey Gardens (also for Broadway), Clybourne Park (also for Broadway), Circle Mirror Transformation (Drama Desk and Obie Awards for Best Ensemble and an Artios Award for casting), and The Flick (Playwright Horizons and The Barrow Street Theater).
Kevin Schlagle previously worked on Yerma (2019), Indecent (2019), Romeo and Juliet (2019); Sherlock's Last Case (2018); Fall (2018); Skeleton Crew (2018); Tartuffe (2017); Merrily We Roll Along (2017); Ripcord (2017); Topdog/Underdog (2017); Bedroom Farce (2016); Sunday in the Park with George (2015); Can You Forgive Her? (2016); Milk Like Sugar (2016); A Confederacy of Dunces (2015); A Little Night Music (2015); after all the terrible things I do (2015); Come Back, Little Sheba (2015); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (2015); Smart People (2014); Venus in Fur (2014); Our Town (2012); God of Carnage (2012); Ruined (2011); and Prelude to a Kiss (2010) at the Huntington.
Sam Layco previously worked as stage manager on The Niceties (2018) and as production assistant on Tiger Style! (2016) and Topdog/Underdog (2017) for the Huntington.
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South End / Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA
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