American première of Oliver Samuels’ play to benefit hurricane relief

The American première performances of the new stage comedy written, directed by and starring Jamaican theatre legend Oliver Samuels, will serve as fundraisers for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica.

The production will play in the New York Tri State Area over two weekends, with performances in Bridgeport, Connecticut on Friday November 14; Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, November 15; and East Orange, New Jersey on Sunday, November 16. It will continue on the following weekend in Jamaica Queens, Hartford, Connecticut and the Bronx. The final performance is on December 7 in Beltsville Maryland.

New Jersey-based producer of the show’s American tour, Patrick M Reid, made the decision in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which resulted in unprecedented damage to Jamaica’s landscape and infrastructure and the displacement and loss of housing for thousands.

“We had been eagerly anticipating the exciting return of Jamaica’s King of Comedy, Oliver Samuels to the New York Tri State area for months,” Reid said. “But, once we saw the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Melissa, we sprung into action immediately and decided that we had to do everything in our power to assist in the urgent recovery effort. We will now be donating part proceeds to the Jamaica Organisation of New Jersey. Oliver himself is committed and passionate about the cause.”

The Westwood High School for Girls Alumnae Chapter in New York will also be recipients..

“Westwood was already slated to be beneficiaries. They were in the midst of reconstructing a much-needed medical clinic on campus . However, when Melissa hit the school, it did significant damage to the almost completed clinic and demolished the auditorium, many classrooms and some of the school’s boarding facilities,” Reid explained.

Set in Jamaica, Di Prodigal Pickney is based on the biblical parable of The Prodigal Son. In addition to Samuels, the cast features acclaimed actress Karen Harriott and rising theatre star Tesfa Edwards. Samuels and Harriott portray married Jamaican couple Jonas and Miriam, parents to son Ephraim, played by Edwards. Their world is turned hilariously upside down when the spoiled Ephraim, dramatically and unexpectedly demands his inheritance from his doting dad.

The production comes to the USA for the very first time following its world première run in Canada and tours to St Kitts, St Maarten and the United Kingdom.

The American première is presented by Sky’s The Limit Foundation and Jammins Events, in collaboration with STL Promotions.