Based on historical accounts of the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, one of his slaves, Sally and Tom is a diamond in the off-off-Broadway rough. Roboff’s music sometimes soars with lyric beauty.”
Christian Science Monitor (January 22, 1999)
Running at the Castillo Theatre for six weeks from February 17 through March 25, the Fred Newman-Annie Roboff musical revival, Sally and Tom (The American Way) examines the 30-year relationship between Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings, a relationship that produced five children and embodies the wrenching conflict between democracy and slavery, and its legacy of racism that continues to shape America to this day.
In this polarizing presidential election year, the meaning of “the American way” is itself being hotly contested.
Under the direction of Gabrielle L. Kurlander, the play is performed on three stages in its own surreal “history museum.” The audience is seated throughout the performance space and among the exhibits, and is encouraged to interact with the conflicted history of our nation.
The cast for Sally and Tom (The American Way) features AUDELCO Award-winner Ava Jenkins and Adam Kemmerer in the title roles, as well as Sean Patrick Gibbons as James T. Callendar, the muck-raking journalist who exposed Tom and Sally’s affair in the press; Brian D. Hills as Madison Hemings, one of Sally and Tom’s children; David Nackman as James Madison, a role he is sharing with independent political strategist Jacqueline Salit.
Musical direction is by David Belmont with Michael Walsh, choreography by Lonné Moretton; sets by Joseph Spirito and costumes by Emilie Charlotte Knoerzer.
The Castillo Theatre (Dan Friedman, artistic director, Diane Stiles, managing director) is located at 543 West 42nd St., between 10th Ave. and 11th Ave. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Feb. 17 through March 25.
Tickets are $35 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased through the Castillo Box Office at 212-941-1234 or at www.castillo.org.
