Fort Myers Florida Weekly

SWFL premiere of ‘Pass Over’ by Antionette Chinonye Nwandu opens March 31


Andrew Sarkozy, Robert Barner and Reuben Morgan star in the Southwest Florida premiere of Antionette Nwandu’s “Pass Over.” COURTESY PHOTO

Andrew Sarkozy, Robert Barner and Reuben Morgan star in the Southwest Florida premiere of Antionette Nwandu’s “Pass Over.” COURTESY PHOTO

The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the Southwest Florida premiere of Antionette Chinonye Nwandu’s acclaimed play “Pass Over” from March 31 through April 16.

Moses and Kitch stand around on the corner, talking trash, passing the time, and hoping that maybe today will be different. As they dream of their promised land, a stranger wanders into their space with his own agenda and derails their plans. Pass Over exposes the unquestionable human spirit of young men stuck in a cycle and looking for a way out. This is a rare piece of politically charged theater by a bold new American voice.

Artistic Director Annette Trossbach feels strongly about this play. She says, “This provocative play is a bold, new kind of Epic Theater. Moses and Kitch are leading their people out of Egypt, are on a 19th-century plantation, are in an inner city, dreaming and planning how to get out. Playwright Antoinette Nwandu reminds us that all three realities are being played out at once, highlighting the universality of suffering in human history through poetic expletives and humor. When Biblical events play out before our eyes, Nwandu shows us that our world, with its division and racism, can change, and we witness the possibility that there is hope for our collective future.”

Director Sonya McCarter says, “To ‘pass over’ means to ignore or disregard someone or something; biblically, it means to move above something or someone; to cross over. The question then becomes, ‘Who is passing over? or Who is getting passed over?’ It’s a question I am grateful to explore with this incredibly gifted cast who have bravely committed to telling this story at this time. Ultimately, ‘Pass Over’ is a story about love, friendship, finding joy, and the will to hold on to your dreams regardless of the pressures of harsh reality.”

Directed by Sonya McCarter, with Assistant Director Tijuanna Clemons, “Pass Over” features Robert Barner (“The Color Purple,” “Avenue Q”) as Moses, Andrew Sarkozy (“The Play That Goes Wrong,” “The Thanksgiving Play”) as Mister/Ossifer, and Reuben Morgan as Kitch.

The play includes mature themes, strong adult language, violence and gunshots.

“Pass Over” is sponsored by Ella Nayor and Jeffrey Cull. Rehearsal space is sponsored by the Winged Foot Title.

Tickets are $30 each or $10 for students with valid student IDs. There are half-priced previews on March 29 and 30 at 8 p.m. and a new Thursday night special ticket price of $25 each for adults. For tickets, call the box office at 239-218- 0481 or visit www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com. ¦

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *